NationStates Jolt Archive

Euphoria: probably the best possible emotion, but one rarely felt amid everyday routine, setbacks, financial trouble, griping, politicking and overall cynicism. For me, an ounce of euphoria in the memory can last years and years, and inspires happy recollections even when the event is so far removed from the present that its origin and context is forgotten.

So I ask: what inspires euphoria in you? What sorts of things trigger it, how would you describe it, and when was the last time you felt it?

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This isn't my usual sort of thread (no poll! :eek:) so I'll explain briefly why I posted it. Coming home from my last and longest work day of the week today, I experienced an odd sensation that could only be described as a tinge of euphoria - not the full-on thing where you're so overjoyed you're afraid you'll let it show and scare people, but just enough to trigger a few happy memories, sort of like how a smell or a taste can remind you of a past event. My spine, shoulders and neck were on fire from the pain of moving several dozen tables at work, but this was a distinct emotional effect, rather than anticipation for the painkillers and muscle-relaxants (etc.) that I take when I get home, although those are nice as well (of course). Instead of supressing the feeling, I decided to ride the wave, as it were, and went and saw a movie (for the first time in years), rather than knocking myself out with pills.

Well, it was nice! And unexpected. And thread-inspiring. :p So there it is. It's a rare thing, and difficult to pinpoint just why it happens, so I thought I'd ask around and see what others thought. :)

Money says leaving for Bonnaroo will be euphoric for me.

Seeing Flogging Molly live was euphoric. As was seeing Catch 22 live.

Obviously, music is a massive trigger. But it's like wanting to dance and be in the center of it all... just because you feel it. Really, those shows didn't just involve listening to music. It was like I really felt what they were saying it and was tangibly sharing something with the other people there.

...and this is why I'm a dork.

Performing USED to be like that for me, but it has since become quite a chore. Way back some time I calculated how many hours in rehearsal and on stage I had spent in my life so far. It was ridiculous. But, hey... for a while, it was amazing.

Being in love.

Seeing Emperor (twice!) almost as much.

Being in love.

Seeing Emperor (twice!) almost as much.

If it's anything like the way Gene Kelly plays it, I would have to agree completely. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkEvy-9yVyQ

Probably one of the best musical representations of the feeling, now that you mention it. Hope to get there myself someday. :p

Money says leaving for Bonnaroo will be euphoric for me.

Seeing Flogging Molly live was euphoric. As was seeing Catch 22 live.

Obviously, music is a massive trigger. But it's like wanting to dance and be in the center of it all... just because you feel it. Really, those shows didn't just involve listening to music. It was like I really felt what they were saying it and was tangibly sharing something with the other people there.

...and this is why I'm a dork.

Performing USED to be like that for me, but it has since become quite a chore. Way back some time I calculated how many hours in rehearsal and on stage I had spent in my life so far. It was ridiculous. But, hey... for a while, it was amazing.

I hear you about performing - playing for the first time in a real performing arts center, with professional acoustics and a full house was almost transcendent the first time, even if frantic preparations and last-minute sectonwork made it miserable to keep up as a routine over time. That's a great exaple though.

I can go through euphoria for days at a time. Of course, conversely I can go though suicidal depression for the same amounts of time.

Normally it just comes by a really good, calm, relaxed time of my life. And there's always a song I can associate with it if I want to look back on it, and that song always gives little feelings from the moment.

I hear you about performing - playing for the first time in a real performing arts center, with professional acoustics and a full house was almost transcendent the first time, even if frantic preparations and last-minute sectonwork made it miserable to keep up as a routine over time. That's a great exaple though.

Amusingly enough, a good marching band performance can be euphoric still- maybe because I still do that only for love, not because I have to.

No, wait- the end of band camp is euphoric. It's that feeling that I've truly accomplished something, and not a lot of people can say they've done the same thing I have with the amount of dedication I have. Plus the feeling of being in a family that you possibly just met a week or so prior. (No, I've never done drum corps, even though that's a lot like what people say about it.)

I can go through euphoria for days at a time. Of course, conversely I can go though suicidal depression for the same amounts of time.

Normally it just comes by a really good, calm, relaxed time of my life. And there's always a song I can associate with it if I want to look back on it, and that song always gives little feelings from the moment.

Ouch. Are you sure that isn't more like "mania," as in manic-depression? Hope not.

To quote Wikipedia on the difference:

Mania:

Mania is a severe medical condition characterized by extremely elevated mood, energy, and unusual thought patterns. There are several possible causes for mania, but it is most often associated with bipolar disorder, where episodes of mania may cyclically alternate with episodes of clinical depression. These cycles may relate to diurnal rhythms and environmental stressors. Mania varies in intensity, from mild mania (known as hypomania) to full-blown mania with psychotic features (hallucinations and delusions).

and euphoria:

Euphoria (Greek εὐφορία) is a medically recognized emotional state related to happiness. Technically, euphoria is an effect,[1] but colloquially the term is often used as a standard term of emotion to mean intense, transcendent happiness combined with an overwhelming sense of well being.


Similar, but it would seem that euphoria is the more stable, and not related to a neurosis.

So I ask: what inspires euphoria in you? What sorts of things trigger it, how would you describe it, and when was the last time you felt it?

For myself, it has only been triggered by seeing a specific person. As one might describe it, love. Unfortunately, seeing the person also triggers dysphoria. I don't really remember the last time I felt euphoria.

Euphoria, I cannot describe. It's something that just escapes anything that can be given in words. There's nothing that can come close to expressing it.

For myself, it has only been triggered by seeing a specific person. As one might describe it, love. Unfortunately, seeing the person also triggers dysphoria. I don't really remember the last time I felt euphoria.

Euphoria, I cannot describe. It's something that just escapes anything that can be given in words. There's nothing that can come close to expressing it.

Love has nothing to do with euphoria. It is just insanity. :/

That or I'm bitter.

For myself, it has only been triggered by seeing a specific person. As one might describe it, love. Unfortunately, seeing the person also triggers dysphoria. I don't really remember the last time I felt euphoria.

Euphoria, I cannot describe. It's something that just escapes anything that can be given in words. There's nothing that can come close to expressing it.

Yeah. That's probably why we rely on weasel words like "transcendent" which describe our inability to describe, and not a whole lot else.

Whereas "happiness" and "contentment" might be interchangable (and are, in some languages), "content" certainly can't be substituted for "euphoric," since euphoria, I think, possesses a sort of electric charge which is sort of the antithesis of complacency. Beyond that, it's hard to say. It all reminds me a bit of my classes in medieval philosophy - negative attribution and all that. :p

Euphoria is when Bush and Cheney get convicted of war crimes.

And when Spore comes out.

Euphoria is when Bush and Cheney get convicted of war crimes.

And when Spore comes out.

:rolleyes:

Really, I hate to have "internet is serious business" kitty thrown at me, but come on now.

Certain moments in certain pieces of music, either listening or performing (e.g. Tavener Song for Athene).
Orgasm.
The face/voice of someone dear to you that you haven't seen/heard for a (perceivably) long time.
Certain moments with friends, regardless of context, could be on a night out, could be at home sitting around chatting.

Seeing Phantom of the Opera on stage. Now whenever I listen to the music from it the really happy feelings come back too. :)

[QUOTE=Thumbless Pete Crabbe;13472884]Yeah. That's probably why we rely on weasel words like "transcendent" which describe our inability to describe, and not a whole lot else.
/QUOTE]

I wouldn't use transcendent and euphoric in the same way; I have experienced euphoria when I'm in love, when I've overcome something I didn't know I could, when I've achieved something really special, or just randomly when life seems almost too vivid and wonderful :). I've experienced transcendence only at the piano (and only rarely) when both myself and the physical world seem to phase out and the music is the only reality. Not sure I'm doing justice to the feeling with that description, but also not sure how else to put it.

Seeing Phantom of the Opera on stage. Now whenever I listen to the music from it the really happy feelings come back too. :)

I saw that tonight!

When I saw my youngest son perform on stage for the first time with professional (grown up getting paid famous type) musicians. The overwhelming feeling of pride, love and numerous other emotions to mention was more than I could contain. The tears rolled down my face, the music made my heart glow. :)

Last night I nearly died in a plane crash (incredibly massive crosswinds and a bit of turbulence about 100 feet off the runway on our second pass took the plane into a bit of a nosedive over Leeds). After not dying, I was EXTREMELY cheery for about 5 or 6 straight hours.

Last night I nearly died in a plane crash (incredibly massive crosswinds and a bit of turbulence about 100 feet off the runway on our second pass took the plane into a bit of a nosedive over Leeds). After not dying, I was EXTREMELY cheery for about 5 or 6 straight hours.

After I realized how close one of my closest friends came to death once, that's how I felt.

Ecstasy

It came for me when I felt the Romantic in me emerge. The Sod won't go back, but I've learnt to love the little sap.

Love.
And a really good joke.

Being in love.

QFT, and isn't it sad how your friends never seem to understand that?

I saw that tonight!

Awesome! I remember when I saw it I couldn't breathe well for like 5-10 minutes afterwards. :)

What inspires euphoria in me...

Playing the piano, certain kinds of food, being in the presence of a loved one, a kiss well given, knowing that I'm being watched by my beloved, sensuous love-making, a caress in the neck, having a great conversation with someone who truly knows about what he/she's talking about, intelligence... Gah! I can't elaborate more.

Awesome! I remember when I saw it I couldn't breathe well for like 5-10 minutes afterwards. :)

It was wonderful, I agree. The friend that I went with last night had never been to the opera before, and she was absolutely mistified! I loved the look on her face.

Alcohol.

When my footy team wins.

So I ask: what inspires euphoria in you?

Solving philosophical problems. Especially ones where I get answers I like.

how would you describe it,

A feeling of happiness and contentment towards the world. A desire to dance joyfully, accompanied by a fresh enjoyment of good music. Goodwill towards friends. (Not for anything. Just on principle.)

and when was the last time you felt it?

In late November, I think. When I changed my mind about free will.