The Mattacola Law Firm Blog

ARE YOU HAPPY LIKE GOD?

Posted in Life ::: May 26, 2009 2:30 PM

As I write this, I have dual computer screens working in front of me, with my laptop not more than a foot from me playing music.  My iPhone is  charging to my left and my Blackberry (still cannot bring myself to completely retire it) is in my briefcase near my feet.  The phones are ringing, the fax is humming and e-mails continue to come in.  I am the workplace definition of Attention Defiicit Disorder. 

And amid the chaos, this article caught my eye today  http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/happy-like-god/

It speaks to finding happiness in contemplation and solitude, finding that state of being which Rousseau spoke of "where the soul can find a resting-place secure enough to establish itself and concentrate its entire being there, with no need to remember the past or reach into the future, where time is nothing to it, where the present runs on indefinitely but this duration goes unnoticed, with no sign of passing of time, and no other feeling of deprivation or enjoyment, pleasure or pain, desire or fear than the simple feeling of existence . . . as long as this state lasts, we can call ourselves happy."  That is some good poop.  Read the article, it's worth the few minutes. 

I've often yearned for the Thoreau existence but until I can move this whole kit and caboodle to Walden, that's not happening anytime soon.  So, what is one to do?  You have got to be selfish, in my view.  You have to protectively and fiercely carve out moments where you can just be - moments where the technology goes to the wayside and where you cannot be reached and your mind can be wiped clear like an Etch-a-Sketch.  For me, it's running.  For you, it may be painting, writing, naked Twister - whatever  it is - find it and make it yours and protect it.  Then down the road, we can all find our respective Walden Ponds and work even more on this concept of just being.  See you there.

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