A chronicle of nose growth
'...changing the form of one's mission's almost as difficult as changing the shape of one's nose:
they are, each, in the middle of one's face and one's character - one has to begin too far back.'
― Henry James. The Portrait of a Lady.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
In the words of the Rolling Stones, you can't always get what you want. So the way to be happy? You can't want what you want. If you want something enough, you won't get it. It's when you don't want it, that you'll get it.
I think I sense some skepticism in the crowds.
Whenever I wanted something a lot, I placed expectations on myself and on getting that thing. If, and when, things got in the way of my ambitions, I would get really disappointed and frustrated. By contrast, when I just went along with what I was supposed to, I often found myself rather pleasantly surprised by the unexpected results.
Achieving goals, in itself, does not bring lasting satisfaction or happiness. I believe it when rich people tell you that they can have all the money in the world, but it can't buy happiness. I believe it when ambitious people who have achieved great things tell you they climbed to the top and find themselves dissatisfied and wondering what they do next. Achieving goals can bring you transient gratification, but not lasting happiness.
Happiness is being satisfied with how you spend your time. People sometimes like to ask 'what would you do if you knew you only had months to live?' The happiest people tend to reply 'I probably wouldn't change anything.' If you spend your time doing what is worthwhile, what brings good to others, what is enjoyable, no matter the outcome, you will have spent the time wisely, and you can be happy about having done what you can, having done your best.
I think I sense some skepticism in the crowds.
Whenever I wanted something a lot, I placed expectations on myself and on getting that thing. If, and when, things got in the way of my ambitions, I would get really disappointed and frustrated. By contrast, when I just went along with what I was supposed to, I often found myself rather pleasantly surprised by the unexpected results.
Achieving goals, in itself, does not bring lasting satisfaction or happiness. I believe it when rich people tell you that they can have all the money in the world, but it can't buy happiness. I believe it when ambitious people who have achieved great things tell you they climbed to the top and find themselves dissatisfied and wondering what they do next. Achieving goals can bring you transient gratification, but not lasting happiness.
Happiness is being satisfied with how you spend your time. People sometimes like to ask 'what would you do if you knew you only had months to live?' The happiest people tend to reply 'I probably wouldn't change anything.' If you spend your time doing what is worthwhile, what brings good to others, what is enjoyable, no matter the outcome, you will have spent the time wisely, and you can be happy about having done what you can, having done your best.
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