Saturday 26 January 2013

The Pursuit of Happiness


Mont St Michele

On a Thursday, as I have told you in an earlier post, I meet my friends. Depending on the weather we walk and then visit the local fishmonger, then relax in each others company, have a chat and an ale. It is a great afternoon, we never seem to run out of conversation, and I always leave feeling happy. It is a simple afternoon and it generates its own happiness. 

I was thinking of this after over-hearing a number of conversations. The first was a mother. She was bemoaning that as hard as she tried she could not longer bring back the happy times they all used to share together. “No matter what I organize it is always the same,” she said. “They always have things to do and places to go.” 

Hankering after the old days she is missing the joy and happiness of watching them become free beings in their own right. 

The second conversation was a friend complaining that he need a new mobile phone. “Why? “ I asked. “This one is out of date. I hope the next one lasts longer.” The phone he had was at least a year younger than mine, but he had to be up date with all the latest gizmos. 

In reality, both of these conversations were about the same thing. Let me explain what I mean.

If we have a scooter we want a cycle, if we have a cycle we want a car. If we have a car we want a bigger or better one. The list is endless. And so is the pursuit.

I remember workmate who, the minute they got promotion began talking about the next step up the ladder. Or when they had been given a pay hike it was not bringing him any closer who his friend who had also had one. Again the list is endless as is the pursuit.

Even on the emotional and relationships front, our relationships are evaluated on the basis of how many visits, how many phone calls, how many invitations one gets and gives. We seek to create a perfect family of always smiling people around us, and are disappointed if things are not picture perfect. Yet again, the list is endless.
And so is the pursuit.

The pursuit of happiness. This is a well-known and well used phrase. Yet it is in fact a strange term. It in fact makes no sense at all. 

Like many oft-repeated phrases, one repeats it mechanically but it makes no sense whatsoever.

Happiness is not an object or person that can be pursued. It just is.

In fact, perhaps it is this very phrase that is often the seed of much discontent and unhappiness.

The new phone, car, are all part of the pursuit of happiness. 

As I ran this morning I was thinking about these conversations and my own pursuit of happiness, and the next better artwork.  As I reached the 6 mile mark it all seemed to fall into place.


When you pursue happiness, it eludes you. However, when you recognise that happiness is the inner beings natural state, all you need to do is eliminate all that comes between your happiness and you.

I think I need to read that again and again in the next few days. Is it complex or complicated? Not really. 

Todays artwork is the finished Pen and Ink of Mont St Michele. I did take a picture of a stage between the first one and this one but decided just to share the finished work. I wondered long and hard about adding the colour. Too late now to change my mind. 

I have some very fond memories of this place and the visits I made here with family and friends. 

Sadly like so many places the little streets leading up to the magnificent cathedral at the top are full of little shops all selling the same things. 

What next? I think maybe back to a canvas. 

38 comments:

  1. I just love this drawing, Ralph. I only see such places in Europe and they are so stunning in their years. Agree with you on the happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A great post, Ralph. I know it is true...whatever we have we want more. I must agree about the phones, especially! It seems weird that everyone needs such deluxe communication. I love this drawing/watercolor. It is fabulous--!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice drawing! It really draws the eye in. And your post is right on with the pursuit of something more when so many times we just need to recognize that happiness is inside each of us and not dependent on things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your words ring true, Ralph. I think of it as the "if only"s. "If only I had a better job, then ..." "If only my husband/wife would appreciate me more, then ..." All of that thinking puts us in a state of discontent about the present and sets us striving for something in the future. Live well today. Seems like you do.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful artwork, Ralph, with just the perfect amount of color with your lovely ink drawing. I always get too much color which overpowers the ink lines, I think. And your post is so true - thanks for the reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd seen this weeks ago and have no clue as to what happened to my comment. but this is what you should be doing ... Your very good with drawing and the color adds to the overall feeling..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry Barbra but this is not one you have seen before. I only did this one the other day.

      Delete
  7. After looking over a number of the blog articles on your web site,
    I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog.

    I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.

    Please visit my web site too and tell me how you feel.
    http://bit.ly/14DGx9C

    ReplyDelete
  8. i have not forgotton you dear Ralph!
    i am not blogging, but being...
    a few songs written and a few youtubes!
    love the sketch...so delicate and classic

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger lovers
    however this article is truly a pleasant paragraph,
    keep it up.

    Here is my webpage: 18148

    ReplyDelete
  10. Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession
    capital to say that I acquire actually loved account your weblog
    posts. Anyway I'll be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get admission to consistently rapidly.

    Here is my web page - sideboard cabinet modern

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog
    thus i got here to go back the want?.I am attempting to find
    things to improve my site!I suppose its adequate
    to make use of a few of your concepts!!

    My page leather chair brown living room

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aw, this was a really nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make
    a very good article… but what can I say… I put things off
    a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.


    Here is my blog post - build wardrobe

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.

    You have done a marvellous job!

    Feel free to visit my website - diy sofa upholstery

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ahaa, its pleasant conversation concerning this
    post here at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.


    Here is my page - wiki2.cyberavia.org

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very good article! We will be linking to this particularly great
    content on our website. Keep up the great writing.

    Here is my weblog ... Abercrombie Bruxelles

    ReplyDelete
  16. What's Going down i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I've discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist different customers like its aided me. Good job.

    Feel free to surf to my blog post; Androsolve Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks іn favoг of sharing suсh a niсe
    thοught, ρaragrаph iѕ pleasаnt, thаts whу і haѵe гead it entirely

    my web-sіte esperanto-jeunes.org

    ReplyDelete
  18. Usually I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it!

    Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very great article.


    Also visit my page; http://www.hvacsimulator.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hаve beеn brοwѕing online morе thаn 3 hοurs tοԁaу, уet Ι never fοund anу
    intereѕting artіclе like yours. It is pгetty worth enough fοr me.

    Pеrѕоnаlly, if аll site оωners and bloggerѕ made good cοntent
    as you dіd, the nеt wіll be much mοre useful than
    eνer befoге.

    Here is mу webpagе Going Listed here

    ReplyDelete
  20. Asking questions are actually good thing if you are not
    understanding anything fully, but this post provides fastidious understanding yet.


    My page - wooden bed frames super king size

    ReplyDelete
  21. I blog quite often and I really thank you for your information.
    This article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take
    a note of your site and keep checking for new information about
    once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.


    My site; oak console table with shelf

    ReplyDelete
  22. I do trust all the concepts you've introduced to your post. They're really convincing and will definitely work.

    Nonetheless, the posts are very short for novices.
    May just you please prolong them a bit from subsequent
    time? Thanks for the post.

    My blog: http://theinnovationbeehive.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi, I log on to your new stuff daily. Your writing style is witty,
    keep it up!

    my web blog - http://hypnosys.Ru

    ReplyDelete
  24. you are really a excellent webmaster. The site loading pace is amazing.
    It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    In addition, The contents are masterwork. you've performed a fantastic activity in this subject!

    Here is my website ... coisas.janjos.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think the admin of this website is genuinely working hard for his web page, since
    here every stuff is quality based data.

    Feel free to surf to my blog; male Enhancement Girth

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ahaa, its fastidious conversation about this paragraph here at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also
    commenting here.

    my webpage: marriage help online

    ReplyDelete
  27. This piece of writing will assist the internet viewers
    for creating new website or even a blog from start to end.


    Feel free to surf to my weblog ... opensqlcamp.org

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am curious to find out what blog system you are using?
    I'm having some small security issues with my latest blog and I'd like
    to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?



    Review my weblog: linked internet page

    ReplyDelete
  29. naturally like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on
    quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it
    very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I'll surely come again again.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage xino-xano.org

    ReplyDelete
  30. Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It's on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

    Also visit my blog :: http://cyberiaismedia.blogspot.com/2012/04/treasure-island-ipad-app-by-cyberia_14.html

    ReplyDelete
  31. You are so interesting! I don't think I've truly read a single thing like this before.
    So nice to find someone with a few unique thoughts on this subject
    matter. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up.
    This site is one thing that's needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

    Here is my blog :: http://tv.goldmineradio.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hello there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the
    excellent information you have got right here on this post.
    I will be returning to your blog for more soon.


    my web page Androsolve Review

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi there to every one, it's really a pleasant for me to go to see this website, it contains useful Information.

    Feel free to visit my webpage - Abercrombie

    ReplyDelete
  34. Iolite pendant is a treasure to have, paired with silver
    or gold, the gem's colour is captivating. The quality of the cut will decide the stone's brilliance, because more light will be reflected.
    When you plan on asking that special someone to spend the rest of your lives together,
    there are many different types of engagement rings to choose from.


    Here is my web page ... oval shaped engagement rings

    ReplyDelete
  35. Waу cool! Some vеry valiԁ points!
    Ӏ apprеcіatе уοu penning this post plus the rest of the
    ѕite іs extrеmely good.

    Alsο visit my blog post; http://coldsweatrecords.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  36. No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing,
    so he/she desires to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.


    My homepage :: Find A Boyfriend

    ReplyDelete
  37. Matching to the pin buckle design and the unique square
    hour marking with dazzling metal light, it created
    a confident and fashionable design of rock and roll music, magnificent yet personalized.

    Even the most discerning eye would often be unable to
    tell the difference. The company was his legacy and he taught his sons
    the art of watch making as well.

    my web blog :: tag heuer **

    ReplyDelete