Friday, June 29, 2007

It's All the Same

Mr. Althouse has been a very busy beaver! What with summer-time household chores, social activities, kids - and the work at this time of year always keeps me hopping - it’s a wonder there is time left for anything else. Ok, it’s not as bad as all that and despite a hectic and irregular schedule, there remains plenty of time for my personal pursuit of happiness. And a very good thing that is, for happiness is exactly what I am currently pursuing.

Although my posts of late have been decidedly upbeat, I must confess that the external part of what drives my attitude is nothing different than it was a week ago, a month ago or even almost seven years ago when I was in a near fatal accident. True, there are major changes in my physical condition today, my physical surroundings and my place in society have improved, but none of that really has much to do with the harmony I now enjoy. Indeed, much of that good fortune is resultant, not causal. The change came from the inside - external realities remain largely unchanged, despite the obvious and vast superficial improvements.

It is my nature to question things. I am quite sure I inherited that quality from my father. My mom had a part in it as well, I am sure. When things weren’t going all that well in my life, I tried to analyze what could possibly be going wrong. Oh sure, there were some poor choices, and definitely some shortsightedness on my part, but that didn’t explain the terrible luck that cursed me so. It seemed to me that no matter how hard I tried, how much I thought I had it coming or that it surely would be my turn this time, it never went my way. I couldn’t explain it and my only response was to build a wall. The best offense is a good defense, or so they say.

It should come as no surprise that, now that my life seems to be experiencing the harmony I truly believed would never come, I would try to figure that out too. Why leave well enough alone? I have this insane urge to deconstruct everything, even serenity. Fortunately, I have come a long way in just the past few years and one thing I have recently begun to conclude is as simple as it is profound: Nothing has changed. Nothing external anyway. The change in my world stemmed from a slow but gradual progression towards the positive. I didn’t know it at first, but every little setback and all that bad luck didn’t have to effect me negatively - and today it doesn’t.

I have come to the realization that it has always been this way. Not just for me, but for everyone and forever. There have always been some who are more upbeat than others. Why? Circumstance? There’s a wealth of evidence to refute that claim. Luck? That doesn’t stand up either. It has to be something more. It has to be a choice one can make because in the final analysis, anyone can be happy. It is a lifestyle that can be learned and taught and perhaps my drive to document my experience in coming to this paradigm of life is an attempt to pass along what I’ve discovered.

The really crazy thing is that the more positive my attitude becomes, the happier I am - and that is the reward - nothing more. It’s not a house or a car or money or prestige, it’s the ability to walk on the bright side of life. And then, “things” start to happen. Things that do not necessarily add any greater happiness - but they add greater comfort. I didn’t do the things I did to get here for this stuff - I did it because I was dying inside and if nothing changed - I was going to die on the outside. Today, it’s all brand new and along with the happiness I coveted so much came the things that I thought would bring it. Little did I know it was the other way around. And just when I thought I had it all, recently more has been revealed… And it all fits so neatly and harmoniously together. That’s what it’s all about.

9 comments:

chrysalis said...

Still chasing the harmony. Will currently settle for long weekend. Hope all is well. Just got back to blogging and I'm glad to see you are as eloquent as ever.

kenju said...

"The really crazy thing is that the more positive my attitude becomes, the happier I am - and that is the reward."


It's true! Like begets like. What you think about the most is drawn to you.

Bobkat said...

It is true - you make your own luck. I am very happy that you have discovered this and that you are flourishing in your new positive outlook. Will you be able to pass it on to others? I think it depends on where they are in their life and how open they are to the idea. If it was that easy I think all dieters would stop spending money on expensive 'solutions' and realise it's as simple as calories consumed + calories burned = calories stored! LOL! :)

I just wanted to thank you for your birthday wishes too and your birthday gift of the link - fantastic! I was thrilled to find Pink Floyd on there who I saw live once and who 'blew my mind'! I'll be showcasing it on my blog soon :)

Marybeth said...

Isn't it funny how things happen or words are spoken (or written) just when they need to be? All I can say is thank you.

kenju said...

Ah, see - you helped Marybeth with your post. How sweet is that??!!When the sutdent is ready, the teacher will appear.

Michele sent me.

Anonymous said...

Glad you are in harmony with yourself. With a positive outlook that is easily enough achieved.



Here from Michele!

Belizegial said...

Could it be that Mr. Althouse has found the secret to eternal happiness? Positive vibes brings positive results :)

LOL
Enid

awareness said...

This is the true secret revealed. I wholeheartedly agree....the sweetness of it is made sweeter by having experienced the sorrow and frustrations too. How would one fully understand if one hadn't?

Love this post Mike.....

Michele said...

This is a wonderful post - as most of yours are.

You really do sound happy and it is true happiness is it's own reward.

And yes, Michele also sent me, I tend to occasionally do as she says...although not always.