Interpreting Happiness

Cold winds blow. When cold winds blow, do yours more often blow from your past, or from your future? It is in the moment they are felt; but from where do they originate? These are interesting questions and I believe the answers (at least partially) depend upon individual character, proclivities, and circumstances. I do not believe a cold wind originates in the moment, for the moment, and immediately dissipates, unless... unless it is the proverbial 'chill running down the spine' that is essentially indefinable and unidentifiable. I believe cold winds originate from past or future events and may gain, maintain, or lose momentum as they approach our moment. I believe we may hear their howling before they reach our moment, thereby warning us to hunker down and hold on. I believe once they reach our moment they may travel alongside, occasionally violating our inner sanctity with icy tendrils, and/or (infrequently) picking us up off our feet and carrying us along for a ways. Cold winds blow.

When cold winds blow, interpretations change. When pleasantly warm, tropical breezes blow, interpretations change. Warm tropical breezes cannot be contrived or imagined. Cold winds cannot (should not) be ignored. Cold winds can be perceived as refreshing. Warm breezes can be perceived as muggy. Cold winds typically trump warm breezes. Changing interpretations are often in the context of shifting perspective on consensus standards; (e.g. what was considered 'very good' is now merely'good' based on a new and improved 'very good'). In theory we can layer our interpretations infinitely close together, forever stretching further (in both directions) creating subtle distinction that enriches Life; (in practice, our Humanity imposes some constraints but I believe more so on the infinity component than on the directional component). (I believe) each individual choice toward Exoteric Goodness does not require an equal stretching toward its opposite, (intentional or unintentional malevolence), either by the individual or as a balancing of the whole; (the whole being all of humanity). (I believe) as a whole if we stretch toward Goodness, we will move the midpoint in that direction, thus maintaining balance, and changing interpretations. In this manner (I believe) we can eliminate some malevolence. (I believe) narcissism and bureaucracy detract from the nuance of Goodness but may add to the goodness of nuance, which is why these (and other) iniquities are (to varying degrees) an unavoidable, ingrained part of our humanity. We cannot define active, contributory joy and hope without debilitating despair; but we can choose our actions and reactions. We raise or lower the bar one choice at a time.

There is another wind that (on occasion) blows. This third wind is neither warm nor cold. This third wind is (on the whole) neither pleasant nor unpleasant; though depending on individual circumstance it can be disturbing and/or insightful. This third wind does not appear to come from the past or the future; the origin of this third wind is mysterious / unkown / esoteric and (I believe) personal and unique to each individual. This third wind may be an epiphanous result of fortuitous happenstance or focused study/meditation, or it may come in dream form. These esoteric currents may ebb and flow (seemingly) at random and without regard to other prevailing winds or breezes. Like the 'chill down the spine' this third wind transcends our verbal abilities, but may blow long and/or strong enough to elicit action/reaction. This third wind may impact interpretations, but due to its ineffability one must be wary of acting rashly on those interpretations.

Life is serious. As we make choices and raise or lower the bar, interpretations change, but unattainable Perfections will always remain - this is as it should be.

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  1. Pingback: Malevolent Happiness | hopelesshappiness.com

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