As long as we observe love for others and respect for their rights and dignity in our daily lives, then whether we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in the Buddha or God, follow some religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy.
Jumping for joy is good exercise. ~Author Unknown
I was once involved in a long distance relationship, one that had taken me quite by surprised and a relationship which burned hotter than I ever expected. I had fallen in love with an incredible woman, mostly through online conversations. We had a brief period of time together before I had moved away from her and literally across the country. As the relationship developed the time had come for me to visit, the trip was planned and I was both excited and quite frankly nervous as hell. At work, days before I was to leave for the trip I got a simple e-mail telling me not to come, no explanation, just that it wasn’t right. I was blind-sided and devastated and unfortunately at work. I bolted out of my office, no real direction in mind but I needed to move to just not be in one place and I walked. I walked for almost an hour and the energy that was driving my steps was not subsiding but I had to return to my office.
As I came back through the center of campus on the main quad there was a little girl about six years old hopping like a bunny on the lawn with her grandmother watching. She looked at me and said hello and I did the same and then she stared right into my eyes and said, “you need to come hop with me.” It was utterly ridiculous, my world had just shattered, my heart-broken, energy bubbled and flowed out of me like a volcano but this little girl was taking me, my pain, my energy, my suit and tie and my hand, and leading me out onto the lawn. Then, we began to hop, and as I hopped the weight began to lift, the pain subside, and we hopped like mad people on the lawn in the center of campus. I didn’t care what I looked like, or how ridiculous the situation was, it just felt wonderful to hop.
I thanked that little girl for what she did for me and I walked on to my office. I still hurt, my heart was still broken but that little girl had done me a magnificent service. The lesson I took away from that meeting was that sometimes the greatest wisdom can come from a child. So my friends don’t forget to look to the little ones when you need an answer.
Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.
~Kahlil Gibran
Happiness and the Wisdom of Children and Dogs
Fear is Killing Your Happiness
Dho Assembly in the Potola Palace, Tibet
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time ~ Marthe Troly-Curtin
So existential boredom is a term I thought I came up with, unfortunately after doing a little research I’ve come to realize that I wasn’t the first to get there. Happily, the definition I’ve read isn’t too far off from the one I’d imagined. Essentially, I use this term to describe the idea that the passion has gone from someone’s life. Most of the definitions I read connect this mood to the idea that you have decided that life is pointless or meaningless. To me, that idea seems a little too freshman philosophy class and way too depressing.
For me existential boredom is where I find myself right now, I have a great life, people who care about me, good health, sufficient finances to do the things I want to do and a good job. I also count myself lucky for my time with you my friends and the opportunity to help a bit with other people’s happiness. My existential boredom is that right now I don’t have anything I truly feel passionate about. I have a range of things I enjoy, but nothing that is the first thought when I wake up in the morning, the last at night.
I liken it to someone you go out on a couple of dates with, you have a good time but they just don’t flip that switch, drive you too insanity. So right now that is the thing I’m looking for to add to my happiness, to find that one thing I can be truly passionate about each and every day.
This is the one aspect of Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project
that I really admire, that once she identified the reality that the, “days are long and the years are short,” she attacked her life with purpose. I continue to work toward that same process and hopefully sharing my journey can help you with yours.
In starting down this new path I found a piece in the most unlikely of places that I really like and seems to be a helpful starting point, check it out. Five Creativity Exercises to find your Passion
And as always, have a happy day my friends ~ Rev Kane
Happiness and the Benefits of Gratitude
