Cycle.

Step 1. We are born and proceed to martyr everyone around us. We scream, we demand. We need.

Step 2. We become idealistic. We decide to try playing the martyr for once. Initially, it feels good. It justifies all the senseless suffering. And then we become trapped.

Step 3. We destroy ourselves with ceaseless attempts to save others. We become jaded and search for an equal.

Step 4. We grow bored of the safety. And proceed to martyr those that make us safe, returning to step 1.

Happiness lies in getting stuck between the steps of the cycle.