In Part I of Curious About the Benjamins... , I noted that "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" had a long lasting impression in my heart. I also shared the scene in which Benjamin asks Daisy to stand still in front of a mirror because he wants to cherish the moment as it is how he wants the couple to be remembered as. So in this post, I ask:-Have you arrived at this stage in your life? And, Would you want to?
In my case, it has not happened. That's because I'm always changing, evolving... or better yet, transforming (Romans 12:2) into the person that I am meant to be. I've personally dreamed of being many different things... yet, after achieving my goals, I've always wanted more. Perhaps freezing time would help cherish the achievements for longer periods of time.
Outside of my family life (education, career, interests, sports, etc.) are areas that I have found myself pursuing something that seemed very elusive... yet, in the instances that I thought I attained what I sought after, I would arrive at following question, "is this it?". In all honesty, I've said that about my life as a Christian as well. There is something about us that makes us seek... yet, when we arrive, we are left where we started, empty and in search of fulfillment (perhaps in search of giving meaning to our lives).
Some are constantly changing careers, others move from place to place in an effort to find happiness... while there are others that find themselves searching for romance ("happiness") from person to person. I've been there many times... seeking self-satisfaction to no avail. Always found myself in turmoil. The book of Ecclesiastes notes that everything that is accomplished under the sun is meaningless; it continues by saying that all of our efforts in these regard are nothing but "a chasing after the wind".
Take some time to read the following scripture Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:24.
Mankind is always unfulfilled and always unsatisfied... So again I ask:-
Has that moment come to you? Have you reached the mid-way point of your life where your wants, desires and dreams all line up? Has the moment to stop and admire the synchronicity that best reflects the person that you were yesterday, today and "forever"? Or, do you continue "chasing after the wind"?
Psalms 20:4 - May He [the LORD] grant you your heart's desire And fulfill all your counsel!
Psalms 20:5 - We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
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Good words! I read Ecclesiastes 2:24 and I must say I love to eat and drink!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever reach that point, I can die.
ReplyDeleteThe point of living is seeking and doing. Inaction is death.
That said, maybe happiness is in change. I think that it's unrealistic to think that if one thing changes or if you get this, or make this money or move to this place that you'll find happiness. You make happiness. You decide it. It's a choice. It's a state of mind.
Hey Ms. Carry!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you started things off: "If I ever reach that point, I can die".
There is a lot to say with that statement. I would probably word it a bit different, but the end result would be the same "dying".
I agree that happiness is a choice; however, I would probably differ in the state of mind portion. I believe it is more than that... happiness is rooted from our minds, hearts and soul.
Perhaps changing your state of mind might kick things off, but I believe it needs to find its way to your heart and soul as well.
Lastly, the following statement is very true... but many of us have had (or continue to have) a misconstrued idea of how we can achieve inner happiness:
"I think that it's unrealistic to think that if one thing changes or if you get this, or make this money or move to this place that you'll find happiness".
Good points!
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that changing something that makes you unhappy can help you out. It's not entirely internal. Like, if I am wearing blue pants but don't like the color blue, I will be happier when I change them. It's easy to make those changes. In contrast, I could also find good things about the color blue and be grateful to have any pants at all. And I could find happiness in that. But, obviously, that's the harder thing to do... particularly when things are more complicated than pants.
Take moving, for instance. Jay and I never planned to settle down in Philadelphia. We always said that in a few years we'd move. Mostly, I want to settle down, buy a house and become part of a community. Even though this isn't my ideal situation... I COULD do it here and make my own happiness. Moving will not make me happy... but the idea of not moving again will. Does that make sense?