curiosity

Happy

Happiness is an ambiguous word like “love” or “intellect” and because of its vague nature it is often misunderstood. The irony is that we search for happiness without really knowing what it is or what it takes to be happy. Some parameters might help.

  1. Learn to differentiate from those things and people needed from those that are not and choose accordingly.
  2. Although happiness is often thought about as an emotional state, as such it will be fleeting and dependent; it will be insubstantial. Happiness must be a good in itself; it must be the end-goal.
  3. We must rid ourselves of the need to impress others. We must learn to disregard the unwarranted opinions of others, even of those we love.
  4. We must be curious and passionate about learning. we must accept the pitfalls and frustrations that come with actualizing knowledge.
  5. We must never fall prey to gadgets and toys constantly offered to us by consumerism and so-called culture. Happiness will not be found in a thing.
  6. We must do those things that make us better persons. And as we do those things we must learn that doing such sets us up to do be happy in a meaningful and substantial way.

Be Curious, but Not at All Costs

The other day I was thinking of that proverbial question:

“What is my purpose in life?!”

The simple answer, I thought, is that there is no purpose “in life”. But to us human beings the answer cannot be that simple. Our choices matter, we think. We have purpose, we think. But purpose does not exist in a broader sense, but it does exist in a more narrow one. It is a useful tool to make sense of our lives. It can motivate us to find a balance.

“Be curious but not at all costs.” a voice finally said in my head, “that’s the purpose in life.”

We become capable of purpose. That purpose we are so intent on finding is always moving, as slippery as an eel. And as we try to confine it and make it conform to our wishes and desires we grow and become more intelligent, and hence more free.

Curiosity and this process of learning are key. They fit together and lead us to purpose. Our purpose is not even possible without them. So, if we need a purpose make it: to be more curious and to learn. Remember,

Life is meaningless, but it doesn’t have to be.