If you ask a lot of people what they want in life the fitst thing that will come to mind is to be happy. Happiness is something that I find that older people have figure out. I am not sure why. It could be due to the fact that they have endure the good and bad within life.
Today I headed out and I had a few things to do, but I got out of my routine and I went out and headed to church. Sounds kind of nerdy maybe to some, however I have never been a practicing church goer for a long time. I have my own thoughts on how I feel with regards to that.
I had a talk with my father today and that all went well. He is doing well and he was asking when I would be coming home. I think he is anxious to see me and from being a very powerful man if there is anything as such - we had a great talk. There after I headed out went to the airport and then I went to about a 45 minute drive back into the downtown which is far from here.
While I was at mass, I was given the right from security and I took pictures towards the end of mass. And then there were these very cute, old people taking picture with an old camera. I was busy taking some pictures of this place and talking to a few people. Then I went over to these old people and asked them how long they had been married and if I could take a picture of them ( I never push it if you know what I mean ). Over 50 years. And it was obvious to see they were content. There was nothing boring to them, nor was there anything that was anything but something I really can't describe. Then they asked me whom I was. I told them and the older man and showed him and his wife the picture I had taken along with the rest and their eyes opened so wide.
Thereafter the older man asked me what heritage I was and after that he grabbed my hand and said "God Bless you". His wife followed and did the same and thanked me and then there was an entire Filipino group of younger people and they all said good bye to me as I left. I am not preacher, I am just myself and that made for a great Sunday. Seems to me it was a very worthwhile in deciding to go to church on this Easter. And no fiction I have been in a Hindi temple and invited back two months ago. I had pictures of it from the outside but they didn’t come out right so I deleted them.
I don’t have a $2000.00 camera, I just have one that is not that expensive. So all in all I am content with the day.
Leading back into > http://initiativestain.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Ramblings_and_Thoughts
Contentment is the biggest gift one can allow oneself to have. I think as far as older folks go, they have learned what is most important to them, and realizing that they have more days behind them than ahead, they let go of some things.
ReplyDeleteI do think that there is merit in that and they live in the moment they don't chase after the moment, hence they are content.
ReplyDeleteI love being around elderly couples who have spent their lives together and are still happy and content with each other. Sadly that seems to be happening less and less. I think the elders have simply learned not to waste so much time and energy fretting about the things they cannot change. They have learned patience and to focus on the things that are most important...or at least it seems that way to me.
ReplyDeleteHi Jack. I am glad to see you had a good day, and have met good people on your journey. The picture of the couple is really nice. I have been thinking of happiness lately, and for what it is worth, the only thing that really was coming out was that happiness comes the moment we do not look for it, but let the door wide open to it. Trying to grab it, chasing it causes us to be anxious, impatient, worried, tired maybe even, whereas if we simple do what we have to do, and keep our hearts open, I think that somehow, happiness will find its way in. Have a fruitful and pleasant week Jack.
ReplyDeleteI think your right. Then I think about those that don't have the health to attend but still are content. Everything has a component to it. But they were happy.
ReplyDeleteDanielle perhaps we all have our own definition of what happiness is. You can't buy it, you can't fake it, you can only give leverage to what is within you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sure that each of us have been through something or another however I am certain that there is a direction.
And even for me, I have my times in which there is times in which are hard. Times that are great. And we all have something within us like an inner compass that when we find what that is, we can lead and go in a direction.
ReplyDeleteThat is the way of life for me, not rigid, but flexible as we all are human.
href="http://initiativestain.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Ramblings_and_Thoughts">http://initiativestain.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Ramblings_and_Thoughts">http://initiativestain.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Ramblings_and_Thoughts
Happiness to me is being comfortable with myself and how I am living my life. If others don't agree, that is their opinion.
ReplyDeleteI can only make myself happy.
Ooops, I should not have posted the url. I can't see this page. But thanks Susan, Norma, Danielle, Lyn.
ReplyDeleteI think happiness is a wonderful thing, Jack, yet at times it's as allusive as a thought ... so many things can disturb that feeling of happiness ... emotions, circumstances, etc ... I think the most valuable thing I can ask for is something I possess: joy ... it's something deeper than contentment, more sturdy and dwells in my soul ... it's assurance that regardless of what comes or goes, I am secure ... my faith sustains my joy and therefore is fed daily ... it is untouchable, unshakeable by simple emotions ... it is peace beyond understanding, nourished by God's goodness and love ...
ReplyDeleteEndurance and strength, wisdom and discernment ... all perceptions of the trials and tribulations which cause us to grow ... to stretch ourselves ... our best is yet to come, Jack ... like fine wine, we all have the potential to grow better with age ... may you be blessed, my friend ...
Indeed it is. Cyn.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very legitimate goal to try to reach happiness but it all depends on what happiness means to each and everyone concerned.
ReplyDeleteHappiness can mean so many things to so many people. Happiness to a homeless person can be finding shelter, to a very sick
person, it could be an improvement in their condition. For most people, happiness can mean being healthy, pleased with one's
accomplishments, feeling fulfilled, having grandchildren, knowing their adult children are doing well. Happiness can be long or short
term. I think we all strive to reach some form of happiness but maintaining a steady level of happiness, that's the challenge.
To me content means to be happy with what you have. Happiness to me is to be in place within yourself in which you feel at peace. Beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTo be content is to know where your at and understand what can be done and what can't.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own lives and we don't write everything about what is going on with them - but
there is a challenge as I myself have come to find that I have found that there is time to
have remorse, have happiness, and everyone has something or another.
Lise - health is a main thing. and accomplishments are something we all wish to have. For myself
I have a tendency to want to get everything done at the same time. But as time has gone on I find
that to walk and pace it - lead me into a direction.
I start my day always in a great mood, in the evening I tend to be in a retrospective creative one.
~~~~~
Clary you are one that never stops and keeps on doing. Regardless of what is taking place
you bring about the perspective of spirit and faith within everything you do I could be wrong
but I think that you do. As you thrive to write, and to have your books out, and back earlier by
the means of a blog I placed you in contact with someone. "Do onto others that are authentic"...
Even if it's someone that you will never see in your life. And that is what I have done.
With that all said I have to get back to some work but everyone in here has a blog.
And within that blog is something that has substance. It's a sideline to what we do in life
but it can be marvelous as to what comes about. I kid you not...