The Pursuit of Happiness
Back in 1985.....whew Terry, what a ride you have there. I know Bob aint she a beauty? Fresh off the lot. Lets take her for a spin. You know Bob, this is my first new car ever! I always wanted a Cutlass Supreme. Look at that baby shine, would you Bob? You know Bob, now I am in pursuit....lol. Terry, I hear you. That is right Bob...hot pursuit of the ladies. Lets take this bad boy out tonight on the strip. Lets get us some fine women tonight. You don't have to ask me twice Terry...I already have my seat belt on.Terry and Bob take the new Cutlass down town that night. Wouldn't you know it. To make Terry even happier, he found Linda. Terry and Linda were the real deal. He was happy, she was happy. For three years, they were both elated with each other.
Then, Jim came along. Jim caught Linda's fancy and that was that. Terry was all alone and unhappy. If things could not get worse in his life, that three year old Cutlass...well...it was no longer road worthy. Terry was feeling as low as he could possibly get.
A couple weeks went by. Terry refused to talk to anyone. He became sort of reclusive....kept to himself. People around him knew he had become depressed.
The day came. Terry went to the beach. Sitting there without a single thought in his head, feeling the light cool breeze on his skin, smelling the clean ocean air, hearing the gentle waves hit the beach, seeing the beauty around him, and tasting the paradise. around him.....he realized, he was wearing a smile on his face.
The pursuit of happiness is somewhat mis-leading. We do not need to pursue anything when we already have it within. Yes...the same things that comfort us will also cause us dis-comfort. But what is in all of us, will never change.
(A story based off of Eckhart Tolle's teachings)
Comments (13)
Sometimes being around nature inspires us to think of why we should be considered lucky?...change is obviously hard for some but it is change that allows us to grow...
It reminds me of the Eagles song "Already Gone".. when it says:
"Often times it happens, that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key."
Again, great blog. Have a great night and nice tomorrow.
That's what grateful is about, I suppose.
Happiness is very much dependent on ourselves, but also outside factors. How we deal with these outside factors is depending on ourselves and how much they influence our lives.
Life is precious, I work on eliminating the things that don't make me happy.
I appreciate your response.
I think you put it perfectly, "change is what allows us to grow." And yes, it is very difficult for some....or perhaps many. :)
Thank you L.L.
It is also like that...I suppose old...Creed song, My Own Prison...I think that is the title.
Thank you for your post. If I would have known you were up at that ridiculous late time, I could have popped on some coffee for us.
Yes...exactly. Happiness is a state mind. Since everything externally is always moving, or coming and going...to put our happiness within something like that will only lead us to unhappiness somewhere down the road. :)
I hope you had a great day/night also.
Thank you for your post.
You bring up a good point there. Happiness, I suppose, could be derived from something external....as long as you understand its nature. Hmmm, that is worth giving some thought to.
Thank you for bringing that perspective up.
I must admit, I have never read any of his books. :( But, I did listen to many of his CD's and watched over 40 hours of his videos on the internet. Not to mention, how many times I re-listened and watched them. What I have found with his teachings is that once you understand what he is trying to say, it is not that difficult of a concept. However, make what he is trying to say a part of you, that takes a long time.
We are conditioned ever since birth to perceive things differently and to change a part of that, takes a little patience and a little reference checking once and a while. :)
Thank you for your post.