The Unhappy Unknown: Greener Grass in Washington?
IS the grass greener in Washington? I have been prompted by my brother-in-law to publish a post on happiness, contentment, and satisfaction, though I am clearly not an expert in the area. Liz and I just returned to the OC from Green Washington, and the home of our beloved Unknown. Nathan, you should know that a certian depression set in after our trip, as we were quite certain that the trip had gone by altogether too quickly and our dear friends Nathan, Mandy, and Ashley were now hundreds of miles away. Jared, Dru, Justin, Cody, Nate, Garrett, Paul, and Brady, you gentlemen should know that the trip would have been a hundred times more powerful had you been there as well. I was moved being in the original place of our birth, Port Orchard, and recalling thoughts of how amazing that weekend really was. In doing so, I am reminded of what Dostoyevski has said,
"Gentlemen, we shall soon be parted...soon I am going to leave this town, possibly for a very long time. And then, gentlemen, we shall be parted. And even though we may be occupied with the most important matters, attain honours or fall into some great misfortune--all the same let us never forget how good we found it here, all of us in association, united by such good and happy feeling, which for this time of our love for the poor boy has possibly made us better than we are in actual fact."
Nathan, know that our love for you, the poor boy, and each other, truly makes us greater than we are alone. That is what makes the F'ing Unknown what it is today. Pascal says the following, concerning the present:
"We never keep ourselves to the present moment. We look forward to the future as too slow in coming, as if to hasten its arrival, or we remember thepast to hold it up as if it had happened too quickly. We are so undiscerning that we stray into times which are not our own and do not think of the only one that is truly ours, and so vain that we dream about those which no longer exist and allow the present to escape without thinking about it. This is because the present usually hurts us. We hide it from sight because it wounds us, and if it is pleasant then we are sorry to see it pass. We try to buttress it with the future, and think of arranging things which are not in our power for a time we cannot be at all sure of attaining. Everyone should study their thoughts. They will find them all centered on the past or the future. We almost never think of the present, and if we do it is simply to shed some light on the future. The present is never our end. Past and present are our means, only the future is our end. And so we never actually live, though we hope to, and in constantly striving for happiness it is inevitable that we will never achieve it...I have often said that man's unhappiness springs from one thing alone, his incapacity to stay quietly in one room. If a man had enough to live on and if he knew how to stay happily at home, then he would not leave to go to sea, or besiege a town. You only go out of your way to find conversation or card games if you cannot remain happily at home...That is why gaming and the conversation of women, war, and great offices of state are so sought after. It is not that happiness lies in such things, nor that we suppose that true beatitude comes from the money we can win at the gaming table or hunting the hare...We are not looking for this soft, peaceful existence which allows us to think about our unfortunate condition, nor the dangers of war or the burden of office, but the bustle which distracts and amuses us--The reaons why we prefer the hunt to the kill. That is why we like noise and activity so much. That is why imprisonment is such a horrific punishment. That is why the pleasure of being alone is incomprehensible. That is, in fact, the main joy of the condition of kingship, because people are constantly trying to amuse kings and provide them with all sorts of distraction.--The King is surrounded by people whose only thought is to entertain him and prevent him from thinking about himself. King though he may be, he is unhappy if he thinks about it...They sincerely think they are seeking peace and quiet, whereas they are really seeking agitation. They have a secret instinct which leads them to look for distractions and occupations elsewhere, which derives from their feelings of constant wretchedness. And they have another secret instinct, remaining from the greatness of our original nature, which tells them that happiness lies only in repose, not frantic activity. From these two opposite instincts arises a confused plan, hidden from sight in the depths of their soul, which leads them to seek repose through activity, and always to imagine that the satisfaction they do not presently enjoy will be achieved if, some obvious difficulties have been overcome, and they can thereby open the door to peace."
I am the first to admit that I am constantly looking towards the past or the future, to attain satisfaction. My thoughts have included, "If I could only sing for L.A. Opera, then things would be great, and I would be happy." The truth is that now I will sing for L.A. Opera. And yes, Jared, the PD will be my boss. But, am I really happy as a result? The answer is no. I now fill my thoughts with, "Well, if I could only sing a solo part for L.A. Opera, then I would be happy." The process never stops, and unless we are able to appreciate the journey, and find, as Odysseus did, that the end is actually in the process, we will continue in this cycle for our entire existence. The funny thing is: I actually envy our friends Mandy and Nathan, as they have escaped the rat race of Southern California to find the repose of Green Washington. And, I mistakenly believe, as we all do, that the grass is truly greener on the other side.
posted by Anonymous @ 11:07 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I have to say, I feel a little silly following up Tyler's incredibly intelligent and articulate post with my own post entitled "Big Ass Elk".
But then I go back and look at the picture again, and you know what, that is a freakin BIG ASS ELK!
Elks aside, well said Tyler. (and pascal and dostoyestnotamericanski)
Damn I love my brother in law. Thanks bro. And what Dostoyevksi was that from?
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