The Color of Happiness
We were late.
We were going to beautiful Victoria in Vancouver Island and we overslept. There was a forecast of sun and I peeked to the window, apprehensive, because we have not seen the sun in days. It was out! And the world was beautiful! At once, I was filled with panic. It might disappear all too soon, as it is wont to do during these cold and dreary winter months (as we found out). Slivers of sunshine are all we get, and I was determined to get my sliver. I woke up everyone and hustled and bustled.
Not too long, we were on our way. I was still anxious. It was two hours to Victoria. Will we make it while the sun was still out?
Suddenly, I was silenced by blinding brilliance. The world opened and I saw before me the most astonishing views as illuminated by the sun.
The journey is the message.
How could we not know?
How could we forget?
I drank it all in, while Barry Manilow sang in the background.
…. Spirits move me… Every time I’m near you… Whirling like a cyclone in my mind…
… Angel of my lifetime… Answers to all answers I can find…
… Let me know the wonder of all of you…
… Lady take me, high upon the hillside… High up where the stallion meets the sun…
… Now and hold on fast… Could this be the magic at last?
Many of us are focused on the destination, what is ahead, the future. While not yet there, it occupies our minds and gnaws at our souls. The anxiety of moving forward. All the while, we are missing the little things. A glistening snow-capped mountain in the distance, a ray of sunshine that showed off the brazen color of a flower, in the skies a bird showing off, diving in mid-air.
All for us.
You just have to look.
Article and photos by Issa. Copyright 2009-2012.
website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
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I’ve been reading Schopenhauer recently. He talks a lot about the human problem of “continually wishing without being satisfied,” which I think speaks to your post. And the impossibility of maintaining happiness if only achieving goals makes you happy–you’re happy for a moment, then you’re bored, and then you generate new goals. It seems to me that the answer as far as sustaining happiness is, as you’re saying, to enjoy the journey at least as much as the destination.
I love what you said. Thank you. And although it is a constant struggle for everyone to stop the mind from worrying about outcomes and wondering about the future, I will certainly try harder, or not try at all. I say this because sometimes, we try too hard and end up worse than where we started. I guess we should try to attain *the* balance, and yes, enjoy the view while we are at it.
This is so true. As an entrepreneur I always found myself seeking another mountain to climb, but never stopping to enjoy the climb. In the past 2 years though I’ve begun to enjoy the journey fully and that has made me a lot happier and more centered in my business and my life.
Was wondering how you guys were, so I looked up your blog…overslept? haha. classic. :p you do know that email still connects people who are not linked on FB. Belated happy birthday to C, hope her 1st Canadian birthday was great.
Kuya, how are you? Overslept – haha – I have to agree with you that it is classic – you know us so well. 🙂 Yes, C’s birthday was a blast. A friend hosted it and we had fun way into the night. Belated happy birthday to you too. I hope you had a great time, which you deserve. Kisses to A and to M. We miss you guys, and we will definitely keep in touch. Kisses. 🙂
I’m very happy for you, Agatha. Taking a step back – and trying to feel and see and reflect – really add more to the experience. Oftentimes, though, I need to be reminded to do this. One gets really lost in the chase. I guess it takes practice, like everything. Thank you for sharing.