March 3, 2011

the melody

the good news is that i found my little travel journal.  such a tiny little thing, it slipped between the seat which housed my cameras and equipment during the drive.  as i said, i've been reading "the happiness project" in bits and pieces over the year as i've struggled lately with the true meaning of happiness - is it joy, is it constant, is it contentment, what is this elusive bird.  and unhappiness...can you be both at the same time?  happy and unhappy that is....

in reading and making notes, i found this to be true - just like our palates that are most satisfied when there is a balance of sweet, salty, bitter, and sour - my life feels most balanced when i can accept that life is that series of ups and downs.  as nietzsche said, "the end of a melody is not its goal, but nonetheless, if the melody not reached its end, it would not have reached its goal either. a parable" 

so, in making happiness not my goal but part of the melody - when i reach my end, i would have enjoyed the melody all along.  this ... makes me very happy... very.
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22 comments:

  1. Jg. for FatScribeMarch 3, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    hi, char -- first, glad you found your travel journal. excellent. second, another terrific post (what's new?!). third, please take this with as little urgency or obnoxiousness (on my part) that you can: i read a book years ago on happiness (who'd a thunk) that seriously made my day, year, and life much richer. however, it is from a spiritual perspective, but i'll suggest it nonetheless as i trust you'll know that this humble suggestion comes from a good place. "joy that last" by gary smalley. food for thought.

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  2. drollgirlMarch 3, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    so glad you found it!

    and it is definitely possible to be happy and sad at the same time. i struggle with this a lot, but i know i should just be grateful for the happy moments, and know that they would mean less if there was not any sad moments.

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  3. bethMarch 3, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    i think i need to grab that book at barnes this weekend.....and i'm so happy you found your little journal....xo

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  4. Erin WallaceMarch 3, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    When I was in the deepest stages of depression there were glimmers of happiness, so I do think it's possible to be happy and unhappy at the same time. Little bits of both seem to shine through at different periods. So life is a balance of both, I think.

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  5. UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    I think you are very wise.
    aside from being a phenomenal photographer.

    Glad you found your journal.

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  6. kat evansMarch 3, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    I'm glad you found your journal!
    Whew! Have a good cry my friend.
    Sometimes, when we shed away the
    unhappiness with tears, you start
    to feel your heart filling up with
    a renewed feeling. One much more
    brighter. ((hugs))

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  7. UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I'm really glad you found your journal...
    It would be like losing a part of yourself.
    I'm so tired, tired from all this excitement around here, counting my blessings, and when I count my blessings, I count you twice...
    see ya later,
    glenda

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  8. GailOMarch 3, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Dear Char ...you have put a smile on my face and a song in my heart with this post today...I hope you may always have more ups than downs in your life:)....like finding your journal:)

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  9. Country GirlMarch 3, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    So glad that you found what was missing. And Char, this photo is magical. I love it.

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  10. Regina March 3, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Glad you found it.
    Beautiful post.
    Happy weekend.

    Regina

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  11. kamanaMarch 4, 2011 at 4:46 AM

    i need to get that book... and i love that shot.

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  12. AmyMarch 4, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Yes, I've found that to be quite true myself ...

    So glad you found your wee journal--and may your weekend be heavy on the happy!

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  13. karen - Simply InspiredMarch 4, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    beautifully stated...thank you, i will enjoy pondering on the melody you speak of...like an elegant piece of music with both high and low notes...sweet balance...

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  14. Sandi @the WhistleStop CafeMarch 4, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    I love the thoughts of traveling ~ it was just what I needed to bring a smile to my face.
    I am counting on all my friday's favorite friends to get me through the week!

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  15. ELKMarch 4, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    sigh ..looking up with you as I rest in the words ..and questions.. happy friday ..i linkied you this week..

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  16. alexandriaMarch 5, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I love finding things that were once lost.

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  17. mrs mediocrityMarch 5, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    i read that book last year, i like the way she took such a pragmatic approach to happiness. i don't think happiness is a permanent state, we have to have ups and downs and everything in between. i think it is contentment that can flow with us through the days...

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  18. Jill of All TradesMarch 5, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    It's a great feeling when you find something you love. Good for you.

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  19. MaryMarch 6, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    Without the valleys, we would not appreciate the peaks...

    So glad you found your little journal! And what a beautiful image in this post!
    xoxo

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  20. leslieMarch 7, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Hi Char,
    I struggle with that same thing. I haven't read the book but I don't think we are meant to be happy all the time. If we didn't have the unhappy times then we wouldn't appreciate the wonderful feeling of being happy. I hope that doesn't sound childish. Love the post and the photo.
    leslie

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  21. spread your wingsMarch 7, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    nice thought and your photo seems very fitting to it. : )

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  22. Relyn LawsonMarch 7, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    That was my number one book of last year. I hope you are loving, loving, loving it.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.

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