Had an interesting lecture today. Mr Patrick talked about Opponent-process theory that's like our body's way of making sure our emotions are balanced. He gave this funny example:

Guy recently got a new girlfriend, thinks she's super pretty and understanding. Happiness reigns and Guy feels like he's in heaven.
Few months later, he gets used to her and starts to think "she's not that pretty after all and not my type of girl actually because she gets so angry easily.. I can't handle her complaints, I'm so unhappy I feel like I'm in hell!"

Haha.. it's quite true though, can be applicable to many situations. What struck me though was his statement that our body cannot handle being in a state of happiness all the time - it's just not healthy. So what happens is that everytime there is an emotional high (happiness, anger etc.), it will be followed by a low of the same degree just so we balance out and maintain a peaceable state of mind.

Psychologists use this theory to explain the psyche of people who are addicted to drugs. In order to get avoid the accompanying low following each high, they take higher and higher doses. Sometimes the low is of such an intolerable degree that addicts can die from withdrawal symptoms.

It got me thinking about the pursuit for happiness that's like a common goal for mankind. And of what Obama said regarding keeping a steady temperament - when he feels emotionally high, he doesn't get too high; when he feels emotionally low, he doesn't get too low. This kinda changed my perspective on the lows in life - whilst pursuing happiness is normal and healthy, does the absence of happiness necessarily signal some reason to be dissatisfied with life? Because sometimes you can feel really bad even when you're doing the right thing in life.

Just like sitting on the plane home after a great holiday, with every high, there will be a low because in the presence of only 1 emotion, there is no way to tell the difference :] One lesson i guess is to hold on and embrace life with ur emotions without letting them rule your head. So guys and girls out there, hold onto your right partner despite the lows, love is a commitment!