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:<\/p>\n
The more complex and specific your desires are, the less likely you are to be satisfied and happy.<\/em><\/p>\n For example: <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n While eating, I watched a person in line get very upset that they couldn’t have the raisin<\/em> bagel today. Oh le SIGH<\/em>, whatever shall I eat from this huge case, groaning with tasty food if I cannot have le SIGH<\/em> the raisin bagel.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n (Note: No I’m not talking about you<\/em>. Don’t be so vain.)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On the other hand, I would really, really like it if my ‘R’ key worked consistently. It’s sticking. Grrrrrr.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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:<\/p>\n The more complex and specific your desires are, the less likely you are to be satisfied and happy.<\/p>\n For example: <\/p>\n