He brought two books to read in case I was late (I wasn’t. We arrived at exactly the same time): ‘Thrive’ (re the search for happiness) was one. ‘Moral Ground’ (essays re the environment) the other.
Though I ordered the latter from the library on the way home, it was some ‘thinking about’ the first book that made me smile.
["A good belt is hard to find. Happiness too": photos GH]
Most people want to be happy. Me too. Feels good.
However, I also really like the search for it, along with other things.
For example, already a few times this week I’ve said to someone that “the fun is in the search” or “the fun is in the looking.”
I was referring simply to my current search for a good leather belt. I need to keep my pants up. And I don’t want to spend a lot of money so I’m going to have to look long and hard, e.g., at Value Village or at a thrift store or in other second-hand stores.
["Someone is searching the skies over Wortley Village"]
But I look forward to the search. Searching satisfies some basic elements in my nature. E.g., I don’t want a gift. Nothing on a silver platter. I want to work at it. Be involved. And I don’t want the first belt I see just to cross it off some list so I can say, “Next.”
I know I’m pretty patient. I know something will turn up. I’ll know it when I see it.
Now, finding a new or (hopefully) good, used belt isn’t the root of happiness. I use the search for this one item merely as an example of the larger pursuit because the same things apply.
I don’t want it on a platter, silver or gold.
I want to search for it and be surprised when it pops up unexpectedly somewhere along the way.
I don’t mind that it’s fleeting and is hard to pin down.
The fun is in the search.
.
Is laughter a key ingredient to a long, happy life?
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