December 7, 1998
Happy Endings
"And from that time on, everyone who had the talent for it lived happily ever after."
-- John Neville as Baron Munchasen in "The Adventures of Baron Munchasen"
I heard this quote tonight while watching the movie. It made me think: Is there really some innate skill for living happily. In some ways, I can't help but feel this is true. You see people who somehow always have luck in leading a good life. They have money, happiness, love, a good car, perfect hair and teeth, etc. Sure, we'd like to believe that somewhere deep in them lies a dark, sizzling patch of contempt that eats away at their soul out of some unfulfilled want like a sled named Rosebud from childhood. However, to be honest, these sickeningly happy people never have such deep welts on their souls.
How did they acquire this instinct for happiness? It might be the same place I got my ability to avoid happiness and fulfillment in life. I clearly know the best decisions I can make, so I don't do them. If I valued the memories from a sled I had as a child, I made sure to give it away years ago. This skill just comes naturally.
What bothers me is that if I don't know how to be happy, how will I if utopia ever comes to the world? I'll be the bitter old man the new Orwellian gestapo will toss into the furnace to keep society perfect.
Is there anyone who can teach me this talent?