Happiness - A Late Night Rumination

To be here and alive

Struggling… struggling

They tell me teaching is terrible because it lacks any form of instant gratification

This is true -- I can move from moment to moment and feel nothing but dissatisfaction, frustration and possibly envy for other, more lucrative professions

But this is not martyrdom

I have made my choice and I choose this

This is the true pursuit of happiness

Happiness does not come without extraordinary effort and sacrifice

Pleasure might not require such things – the metropolitan princess or man of old money may know pleasure well – but they grasp in vain for happiness

Fulfillment

The heart and soul are curious things

Often they go unheard – silenced by our greedy, insatiable egos

But they win out in the end – they always win

Even a hard-hearted man will wonder in the waning seconds of his life if pleasure was such a noble pursuit

Life is not about pleasure

Life – all the life that surrounds the villainy of man is concerning just a handful of precious truths

Harmony, community, love, sacrifice, hope, peace, patience, faith, humility, et cetera

Do I find these days to be filled with pleasure?

No – these days are some of the hardest I’ve ever known and leave me beaten in the morning and restless in the night

But do I sit here, at the end of another grueling day, and feel sorry for myself, or uninspired?

No – I am happy

I just realize that life can be paradox – and happiness can mean pain, anguish, and struggle

But it is also the other things – the wonderful things – the et cetera

And they win out in the end

They always win