Feeling Philosophical

It's been couple of days. First, about the Amazon ranking. I've been noticing that the number has been steadily rising. It's now the 1.3 millionth best seller. That would be consistent with a calculation that weights recent purchases more heavily. So it looks like there was one or a few orders, but no more recently. No problem, though. I didn't really expect any before it came out anyway. Still, it's nice to know something about how they calculate it.

This weekend will be kind of busy. I need to work on some of the computers here at the house. I need to work on the preface some more. I need to try to do some repairs and such around the house. Yet despite it all, I'm bored.

So, it's Friday night and I'm thinking about things philosophical. There's one that's been going through my mind for quite some time. Paul says "all things work together for good." Sarah McLachlan says "it'll all be worth it in the end." Red Jumpsuit Apparatus says "I know I'll be okay, though my skies are turning gray." This same idea seems to exist across the whole philosophical spectrum. So here's the question. To what extent are these statements of reality, and to what extent are these meant to cause us to have hope when there's no other reason to hope? Another way to ask the same question: Does the future really hold more happiness than the present?