One of the great advantages of age is that you often feel as if you are living in history — your history, of course. You are able to sit back and review your life – its machinations and its missteps – along with its triumphs and glories. I am reading a newly published book entitled Aristotle’s Way. (1) The author, Edith Hall, discusses the main premise that Aristotle thought we should live our life by — that is, one of happiness. I think it is a basic truth that all thinking and reflective beings want to be happy. You must immediately ask the question: why then, are most not? The answer is that we don’t believe we can be content unless we attain some mythical point in the future – the juncture where enough money, the perfect relationship, social achievement, etc., all coalesce. Until we arrive at this point, we are unhappy, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and die with their song still inside them.” to misquote David Henry Thoreau (1817-1862).
The secret, therefore, is to be happy right now – at this moment – today! The caveat being that I must still plan for a joyful future, as well. I recently passed a store that displayed (NT) $35,000 shoes in its window. Wow! There have been months in my life that I have not earned this sum of money. I would think that happiness would be elusive if not non-existent if I had to predicate its occurrence on “sporting” such expensive attire. Happiness is based on perspective, is it not? I should develop good taste, “The taste of beauty, and the relish of what is decent, just, and amiable, perfects the character of the gentleman, and the philosopher. And the study of such a taste or relish will, as we suppose, be ever the great employment and concern of him, who covets as well to be wise and good, as agreeable and polite.” (2) This quote is attributed to Anthony Ashley Cooper, the third Earl of Shaftesbury, (3) who still has considerable influence on the modern concepts of aesthetics and manners.
A big part of what is wreaking havoc with the planet is that the majority of first-world people aspire for material sustenance and the rest of the world wants to follow. Though it is not at all foolish to like “nice things,” they have no intrinsic value, do they? If they did, we could take all our material possessions to heaven with us. “You can’t take it with you,” is the oft-cited quote from the 1938 film of the same name. (4) The point here is that my awareness of the world lies solely within me. Work hard in life at whatever you believe in – why not? Strive to be successful – financially as well as spiritually. But do not ground your personal pleasure in the physical things of this world nor by a comparison with the material success of others. It is a fool’s game that you cannot win – someone will always be richer, smarter and better looking than you. No one, however, can be as good at you as you can. You are truly your own expert. The great actor and director Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) leaves us with a thought: I’d like people to remember me for being a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God’s a workman. I don’t think there’s anything better than a workman.
A closing thought: It is a most confusing world. You can feel for the young person who constantly stares at the computer screen. It is far easier to escape than to engage in the development of me or to interact with the world. But participate we must – if not, we can guarantee the demise of the species. Violence is a result of our inability to intelligently share our thoughts. To paraphrase Sadhguru (5): We are all naturally happy, peaceful, loving and seeking to improve as beings.
To sum up: This week we spoke about happiness – that eternal quest that continues to elude most people.
A philosophical question: Why do brands put their labels where we can easily see them? This is because if not, no one would know — and consequently not care — about a said product. It would then have to be judged on its quality – hmm!
Just for fun — Yo-Yo Ma
This week, on your peaceful meander, please ponder your own personal happiness.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: I command my reality through my five senses. I am the conductor of my own life music.
Footnotes:
1) Edith Hall: Aristotle’s Way (ISBN: 978-0-7352-2080-5)
2) Lord Shaftesbury: Vol. 2, p. 207; Miscellany III
3) The Third Earl of Shaftesbury (1671—1713)