We watched This Emotional Life on PBS this week and I walked away from it thinking that I already have what so many others are seeking. Our story is that we left the frenetic energy of city life (San Francisco) to live in rural America (Arkansas) not to have more stuff, but to have a quality of life. I realized early on that the key to happiness wasn't about things but about time, energy and people. That constant seeking is a feeling of void and that can't possibly make you happy.
So, if I know all of this am I happy all of the time? Of course not. Life is complicated and emotional states come in like the wind. In general though I think I, more than my husband, is happier the most. I see things as right with the world if the car starts, I have what I need for dinner, and the internet is behaving. He wants a little more than that, which is fine. I think we are just hardwired differently.
Now that I know the secret what do I do with it? Oh, the answer is want what you have while continuing to find joy in the unexpected. One answer is to just live that fully. Another is to go out and preach it to those that are still seeking. Self help is a multi-million dollar industry - perhaps I could put my toe in there.
For today though I will just relish in the fact that I am ok with the world.
