Have you seen the yin yang symbol? Google it and see a pic of it. I often see my moods reflected in this symbol. I am on top of the world for a while and there's a little black worm that comes when I seem to be at my peak of happiness, and I'm thrown into the depths of darkness, but after a while there's a light in this depth and it swings the other way. I may be cyclothymic...who knows? Maybe it's natural for moods to swing this way but depression changes the natural rules.

My point is happiness by its very nature does not last. It is fleeting. What does last is an underlying joy you may have that doesn't fluctuate the way happiness does. To obtain joy you must find sources of meaning in your life; for many, this is faith.

If you feel happy enjoy it. Don't try to hold onto it or crave more of it.

Of course, there is always going to be something to bring you down: this world is full of these 'triggers' - all you have to do is switch on the TV and watch the news.

Sorry you're having a hard time. I struggle with the same thing. Robotnik is right that happiness doesn't last, simply because it is based on happenings or circumstances. As long as things are going good, we are happy, but then life happens: a death, a divorce, an illness, a job less, or simply a disappointment and our happiness is gone.

I have read so many books on this topic because I wanted to find true joy that doesn't come from circumstances. In Pursuit of Happiness by Frank Minirth and Rethink How You Think by Dr. David Stoop were very helpful.

Happiness can't last because sadness or darkness can't last, either. I know that sounds dumb and cliche but one just wouldn't really mean anything without the other.

When you really think about it, how can we even tell a positive experience from a negative one?

I don't want to get too abstract and philosophical, but it's just... all necessary. Positive experiences are necessary because they show us where we want to go and what we want to do. Negative experiences are necessary because they show us what we're willing to struggle for and what makes the pain worth it. It all just depends on what you value and what you think is worth giving your pain to.

You will be happy again. And you will be sad again. There's no way to avoid it.

In the long run, you can learn to appreciate all of it.

I hope you'll be okay. And I am sorry you're struggling right now.

It's like people say: Rain helps flowers blossom.