Perhaps happiness is the aroma of meaning. It would seem this former girlfriend derived joy from being of value to you. Of course she'd have to surprise you and shower you with bespoke handwritten note affections because what else can one give a man who has all his needs met and his wants waiting to be filled at the ready?
Would it not be worth exploring further the meaning that sustains the aroma of happiness. Dare I call the long lasting prescription of it joy? Is it not an exercise in estimation? Aren't we all brokers of some shroud of meaning with the promise of the perfumes of happiness?
My friend, you've wowed me again. As always my subconscious is enraptured by your essays but it was when you wrote: But it’s also a matter of broader context, of milieu. I laughed. My conscious couldn't help but enjoy reading your Latin brain pouring forth beautiful English inspired by Italian finesse only to have this caesura in the measures with a moment of French!
Maestro, Maravilloso. 👏🏼
I know I will be reflecting on this one more in the days to come.
Thank you, Steven, for your profound insights and kind words. Your metaphor of happiness as the aroma of meaning is so interesting and captivating, and your observation about deriving joy from being of value resonates deeply. It warms my heart to see that you appreciate my writing, and I'm thrilled that my words sparked laughter and contemplation. I'm grateful for the connection we have through our thoughts. :) Thank you, my friend.
This is one of those pieces you have let simmer. For me Patrick's story is a marvel. It does show the role of agency in how we perceive the world; and thus, how we can choose to be happy. But I think he can get to this perception because there is both a certain surrender to his circumstances AND a sense of duty and honor that is fulfilled by his caretaking duties. I'm very inspired by him.
Re: Happiness. I don't like the word much...I think it's a poor umbrella. I prefer thinking about joy and contentment. Joy - the short term jolt of endorphins. Contentment - A sustained state of mind that can be associated with satisfaction, propensity for joy, greater observance, deeper pleasures.
Great reflection, Camilo. Patrick’s story is indeed one that makes you think and re-evaluate your own dimension and sphere of preoccupations. And you nailed it: the surrender to circumstances and the sense of duty play a crucial role, I guess. Thanks for always leaving me thinking even more about the stuff that I wrote, my friend. Yours is always a precious contribution. :)
Happiness is indeed optional, and found everywhere, if you look for it, embrace it, and also don't think about it and rationalize it that much. So easy to say, so hard to remember, and with your essay we can all arrive with you at the same conclusion and be a reminder to be happy with what we have. Beautiful as always, Silvio.
And just wanted to rescue a buried gem you wrote: "It’s an overly simplified thought but, like all simplified thoughts, it plants the seeds for something more complex and articulated." That's so true, but hadn't noticed it. Amazing.
Thank you for your always so kind words, Oscar! You've captured the essence beautifully – happiness often lies in the simplest of places, waiting for us to embrace it without overthinking. It's a delicate balance to strike. And your observation about my "buried gem" gives me so much joy! So glad you caught that. Thank you!
Hey Silvio, another wonderful meandering exploration of this quintessentially human question. I see a lot of parallels as I'm fairly neck deep down a Buddhist rabbit hole and there's a few things that you touch on worth comparison. In some respects you're outlining the ups and downs of samsara, the cycle of dukkha moving from good feelings to bad feelings and back again. This is the rhythm of ordinary life. I haven't found an adequate attribution but it was mentioned by a Buddhist teacher (traktung khepa) and has stayed with me: "All beings desire happiness but are ignorant of its causes."
Thanks for sharing about your friend Patrick. His situation engenders a lot of compassionate tenderheartedness. What a trip, right? There is no part of me that would want to be in his situation and yet you report him to be among the happiest of people that you know. Case in point.
Tai! Thank you, my friend, for your thoughtful insight and connection to the exploration. Your comparison to the cycle of samsara in Buddhism is intriguing, highlighting the universal nature of seeking happiness amidst life's fluctuations. The quote you shared contains a profound truth – the pursuit of happiness is inherent to all, yet the path to its realization often remains elusive. Patrick's story indeed challenges our conventional notions, reminding us that true happiness can arise even amidst circumstances that might seem contrary to it. It's a testament to the complexity and richness of human experience. :)
Having the ability to activate happiness at will would truly be a superpower.
Personally, something that has consistently inspired me in the pursuit of fleeting moments of happiness is a scene from Twin Peaks, my favorite TV series.
In this scene, Special Agent Dale Cooper reveals a little secret to Sheriff Truman:
What we can consider a gift to ourselves is for us to understand, but it could be anything to which we attribute (or rather, in which we recognize) this meaning.
I think that somehow, from the way you've described it, that's exactly what Patrick does.
Thank you, Emanuele. Yes, you nailed it, this is exactly it! The ability to harness happiness as a superpower would indeed be remarkable. It's fascinating how different sources of inspiration, like your scene from Twin Peaks, can spark those moments of joy. The link you shared adds a unique layer of insight, highlighting the personal nature of finding meaning and happiness. Thank you for sharing this perspective and connection.
Perhaps happiness is the aroma of meaning. It would seem this former girlfriend derived joy from being of value to you. Of course she'd have to surprise you and shower you with bespoke handwritten note affections because what else can one give a man who has all his needs met and his wants waiting to be filled at the ready?
Would it not be worth exploring further the meaning that sustains the aroma of happiness. Dare I call the long lasting prescription of it joy? Is it not an exercise in estimation? Aren't we all brokers of some shroud of meaning with the promise of the perfumes of happiness?
My friend, you've wowed me again. As always my subconscious is enraptured by your essays but it was when you wrote: But it’s also a matter of broader context, of milieu. I laughed. My conscious couldn't help but enjoy reading your Latin brain pouring forth beautiful English inspired by Italian finesse only to have this caesura in the measures with a moment of French!
Maestro, Maravilloso. 👏🏼
I know I will be reflecting on this one more in the days to come.
Thank you, Steven, for your profound insights and kind words. Your metaphor of happiness as the aroma of meaning is so interesting and captivating, and your observation about deriving joy from being of value resonates deeply. It warms my heart to see that you appreciate my writing, and I'm thrilled that my words sparked laughter and contemplation. I'm grateful for the connection we have through our thoughts. :) Thank you, my friend.
This is one of those pieces you have let simmer. For me Patrick's story is a marvel. It does show the role of agency in how we perceive the world; and thus, how we can choose to be happy. But I think he can get to this perception because there is both a certain surrender to his circumstances AND a sense of duty and honor that is fulfilled by his caretaking duties. I'm very inspired by him.
Re: Happiness. I don't like the word much...I think it's a poor umbrella. I prefer thinking about joy and contentment. Joy - the short term jolt of endorphins. Contentment - A sustained state of mind that can be associated with satisfaction, propensity for joy, greater observance, deeper pleasures.
Great reflection, Camilo. Patrick’s story is indeed one that makes you think and re-evaluate your own dimension and sphere of preoccupations. And you nailed it: the surrender to circumstances and the sense of duty play a crucial role, I guess. Thanks for always leaving me thinking even more about the stuff that I wrote, my friend. Yours is always a precious contribution. :)
Happiness is indeed optional, and found everywhere, if you look for it, embrace it, and also don't think about it and rationalize it that much. So easy to say, so hard to remember, and with your essay we can all arrive with you at the same conclusion and be a reminder to be happy with what we have. Beautiful as always, Silvio.
And just wanted to rescue a buried gem you wrote: "It’s an overly simplified thought but, like all simplified thoughts, it plants the seeds for something more complex and articulated." That's so true, but hadn't noticed it. Amazing.
Thank you for your always so kind words, Oscar! You've captured the essence beautifully – happiness often lies in the simplest of places, waiting for us to embrace it without overthinking. It's a delicate balance to strike. And your observation about my "buried gem" gives me so much joy! So glad you caught that. Thank you!
Silvio, my heart. This is a wise observation of happiness, and one that I would choosw to adopt. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Yehudis! So glad you liked it and it resonates. :)
Hey Silvio, another wonderful meandering exploration of this quintessentially human question. I see a lot of parallels as I'm fairly neck deep down a Buddhist rabbit hole and there's a few things that you touch on worth comparison. In some respects you're outlining the ups and downs of samsara, the cycle of dukkha moving from good feelings to bad feelings and back again. This is the rhythm of ordinary life. I haven't found an adequate attribution but it was mentioned by a Buddhist teacher (traktung khepa) and has stayed with me: "All beings desire happiness but are ignorant of its causes."
Thanks for sharing about your friend Patrick. His situation engenders a lot of compassionate tenderheartedness. What a trip, right? There is no part of me that would want to be in his situation and yet you report him to be among the happiest of people that you know. Case in point.
Tai! Thank you, my friend, for your thoughtful insight and connection to the exploration. Your comparison to the cycle of samsara in Buddhism is intriguing, highlighting the universal nature of seeking happiness amidst life's fluctuations. The quote you shared contains a profound truth – the pursuit of happiness is inherent to all, yet the path to its realization often remains elusive. Patrick's story indeed challenges our conventional notions, reminding us that true happiness can arise even amidst circumstances that might seem contrary to it. It's a testament to the complexity and richness of human experience. :)
Having the ability to activate happiness at will would truly be a superpower.
Personally, something that has consistently inspired me in the pursuit of fleeting moments of happiness is a scene from Twin Peaks, my favorite TV series.
In this scene, Special Agent Dale Cooper reveals a little secret to Sheriff Truman:
https://youtu.be/qYPW3O6VhXo?t=48
What we can consider a gift to ourselves is for us to understand, but it could be anything to which we attribute (or rather, in which we recognize) this meaning.
I think that somehow, from the way you've described it, that's exactly what Patrick does.
Thank you, Emanuele. Yes, you nailed it, this is exactly it! The ability to harness happiness as a superpower would indeed be remarkable. It's fascinating how different sources of inspiration, like your scene from Twin Peaks, can spark those moments of joy. The link you shared adds a unique layer of insight, highlighting the personal nature of finding meaning and happiness. Thank you for sharing this perspective and connection.