Something occurred to me this morning. I think it’s one of those simple truths that underlay a whole bunch of other, more complex behaviors and pieces of advice. Namely:
The more complex and specific your desires are, the less likely you are to be satisfied and happy.
For example:
This morning, I was hungry. I wanted breakfast. I didn’t particularly care about the particulars, so long as there was coffee involved. I went where we were going and ordered what appealed to me out of the choices available. I ate. I was happy.
While eating, I watched a person in line get very upset that they couldn’t have the raisin bagel today. Oh le SIGH, whatever shall I eat from this huge case, groaning with tasty food if I cannot have le SIGH the raisin bagel.
Similarly, I see friends and acquaintances with very specific desires for their employment … their house … their love life … I see them being very upset when they have to vary from these detailed requirements for happiness. I wish I could convince them to expand the thing that they can control … their requirements for success … instead of being unhappy where they are.
(Note: No I’m not talking about you. Don’t be so vain.)
Maybe I’ve just given up on always getting what I want. Maybe I just have so much goodness and plenty around me that I’ve lost perspective on what it is to suffer and want. Still. I’m really very happy right now.
On the other hand, I would really, really like it if my ‘R’ key worked consistently. It’s sticking. Grrrrrr.
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