"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." That's a quote by Marcus Aurelius. If everything that is attributed to him is actually his, then this man was truly a genius. He is like the Roman version of Confucius...only without the fortune cookies! Okay, so I am getting a little silly there, but I think you get the idea... he was a very wise man!
And I think he is right, happiness does dwell within us. Have you ever noticed that the things that give you lasting happiness can't really be bought? A cup of coffee with a friend, a smile shared between loved ones... holding your daughters' hands. I'd also add hugs from your daughters when they are getting ready to go to bed or leave the house, and of course the hugs that we give when getting up in the morning. Over the years, I have never seen material possesions ever lead to true happiness. Yes, I was a bit satisfied when I got my Z-28 or my Town Car, but that happiness quickly faded, to something akin to, Okay, so now what? Cars get old... they need repairs, they lead to bills. New clothes fade or wear out. Jewelry can only give so much satisfaction. Meanwhile, the memories of my daughters as they learned to walk or to talk are as vibrant today as they were yesterday. Nowadays, I collect moments, not things. In fact, I'd like to say that I still like to hunt for things... just not always buy them when I find them. When my wife was alive, we liked to go antiquing on the weekends. Usually, we had no idea what we wanted...until we saw it. I still have the occasional piece here or there. I still like to explore antique stores and flea markets. But some of the fun is gone now that my wife isn't there to do it with me. My memories remain though, and tht's enough for right now. My favorite pieces are three trunks we bought. Maddie has one on her room, as does Ashleigh. Mine is near the foot of my bed. I don't keep anything special in the trunk... but it still holds memories, and that is more than enough for me. So what makes you happy? I mean truly happy. Time I spend with my family, the views I see daily as I drive around my area, fishing with friends and hiking with my daughters are a few of the things that make me happy. A good steak and a hot cup of coffee are also high on my list. It's the little things in life that matter. Don't waste your life chasing big things. Oftentimes you'll find that the time spent to acquire them wasn't worth the final victory. At least for me that holds true. Moments in time. Memories. These are what bring true happiness.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2021
Categories
All
|