Birth is the moment when a spark of hope ignites within us, heralding the joy and well-being inherent in human nature.

The Dual Legacy of Birth

Birth is the moment when a spark of hope ignites within us, heralding the joy and well-being inherent in human nature. On one hand, we are born with an inner yearning for happiness—as if, deep in our soul, the melody of joy is already playing, reminding us of the primordial state of being. Yet, on the other hand, the path of life is inevitably filled with trials that gradually turn the initial sweetness into a torrent of bitterness, teaching us to overcome loss and accept change. Individual factors, such as birth order and the child’s first contact with the outside world, play a significant role in shaping our personality, determining not only our place in society but also our attitude towards joy and suffering. Moreover, some opinions emphasize that through the very process of overcoming pain, we acquire wisdom which enables us to grow both spiritually and morally. In the end, birth becomes the starting point of an extraordinary journey, where joy and sorrow intertwine to form the unique story of every individual.

Is birth more a source of happiness or sorrow, and what factors influence this perception?

The answer to your question is multifaceted. On one side, there is the perspective that a person is born with an innate longing for happiness, as if an inner sense already exists that life should be joyful. This is supported by the statement:
"Man is born with a longing for happiness, with an instinctive sense that life must become joyful, so that if we are not happy, then we have not achieved our goal. This might be something like a subconscious memory of life before the fall. This was well written by the late Archbishop of Prague, Sergius, in a series of articles entitled 'On Blessedness.' Speaking of humanity's nostalgia for happiness, he notes that 'we feel unhappy only when we accept the temporary dominance of the forces of evil as our true self, as the genuine nature of our personality.'"
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On the other hand, there is the view that birth opens a path not only to happiness but also to the inevitable suffering that gradually accompanies a person throughout life. One excerpt explains:
"This is the story of every soul and every life. At the beginning comes joy, transient ecstasies, like a drop of honey on the edge of a vessel. Then, with each step, the source of joy dries up and in its place flows a full-fledged stream of sorrow. Each of us feels how with every passing day, the body ages, the heart grows heavier, and life becomes ever more difficult to bear. Man could not hold happiness to himself."
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Furthermore, factors that determine the individual formation of personality are crucial to the final perception of birth. For example, birth order—whether one is the firstborn, the only child, a middle child, or a "mother's boy"—impacts the role a person will eventually play in society and how they view their life. It is stated:
"Birth order. Whether the child is the first, the only one, a middle child, or a 'mother's boy'—all of these subsequently affect the place he occupies in society. His position in the family, as dictated by his birth order, can fundamentally alter or transform his outlook on life, which significantly influences the formation of his personality."
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It is also important to note that the newborn’s first contact with the external world is decisive. This brief yet critical moment lays the foundation for the future approach a person takes towards joy and suffering. For example, one source emphasizes:
"This first period is the most important, as it is associated with mysterious preparations. Thus, it is essential to consider not only the consequences of the child’s psychological trauma during birth, but also the possibility or impossibility of activating those dynamic factors that are undoubtedly inherent within him."
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Some authors even propose the idea that the suffering acquired from the very start of life plays a role in one's spiritual and moral growth, asserting:
"Why were we brought into the light? We were born to suffer, because only through suffering can we understand something important. Suffering purifies, makes a person wiser, teaches, and elevates him—any suffering will do. Speak with a thirty-five-year-old person and you will hear about his time in the army. It was hard on him; he was oppressed, detached from his father and mother—yet he recalls that period as particularly significant in his life."
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Thus, it can be concluded that birth itself is not an unequivocal source of solely happiness or sorrow. It provides a beginning imbued with hope and the anticipation of happiness inherent in human nature, while simultaneously opening the way for life circumstances, physical and mental challenges, and the influence of social and family factors (such as birth order) to gradually lead to increasing sorrow and suffering. Therefore, the perception of birth as a source of happiness or sorrow depends on the complex interplay of internal instincts and the external factors encountered throughout life.