Happiness

The past few years have in many respects been a bit of an experiment in which I have prioritised the things that make me happy. It sounds selfish and at times feels selfish but there is a reason why cabin crew tell you to put on your oxygen mask first during an emergency before attending to others.

Happiness is however elusive and not easy to grasp or hold onto for any length of time. The world is messed up and, by extension, so am I. Insecurity, greed, fear and ignorance drive us to make choices which destroy relationships, communities and even planets. Love, courage, hope and wisdom do their best to heal our fractured inter-dependent lives but there are no guaranteed winners.

The war rages on, outside and in, and sometimes all I can do is evade reality until my happiness once more becomes my reality. When refreshed, I go again. I care again. That is my singular achievement. It’s not going to change the world but it has changed my world.

Now that I feel my little experiment is over, I am going to start another: continuing to be happy while nobody is looking. This is perhaps a greater test as I think I need an audience, real or imagined, to hold me to account for my thoughts, words and actions. So, whether you’ve been browsing casually or reading intently as this middle-aged man negotiates one of life’s great challenges; thanks for being a part of my selfish little experiment. I couldn’t have done it without you but now I have to.