January 30 in Brazil marks the Dia da Saudade, a day for indulging in the painful sweetness of remembered joys now lost forever.
The Portuguese word “saudade” names the bittersweet sadness of longing for people and places that live only in our memory.
Writer Manuel de Melo describes saudade as “a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy.”
Think: thumbing through photos of loved ones who have died, that feeling of loss that becomes more sweet than bitter as time passes.
We see so much loss lately: loss of life, loss of “normal” life, loss of any sense of stability… so much grief needing to be expressed.
Recent research reveals that those who embrace grief report a higher level of happiness than those who fight or bury their grief.
It may seem contradictory that exploring the depths of sadness can bring higher levels of happiness… but it would truly be sad if you never find out because you never try it.
Happiness does not just happen!