ehowton ◾ Whirled Peas (Reply)

Few in life prefer relaxing to a discordant cacophony, and I so so enjoy 'testing' those who say they do. I've been known to laugh uproariously in the company of those who claim to enjoy chaos when chaotic events strike their personal lives. After all, its what fuels them, no? Sadly, usually not. I don't personally understand the claim, but I've also learned to not believe those who state it to be true for themselves. Peace for many is a myth - an unobtainable goal which brings about thoughts of chubby, harp-playing cherubs while laying around drinking fine whiskey and being fanned with broad palm leaves by a harem of exotic topless women purchased with excess monetary wealth on a chase lounge over a garage filled with expensive automobiles.

I define success by how happy I am. I cannot comprehend any other definition, yet I come across some of the most miserable sons-of-bitches who honestly believe money will make them happy. If you're a miserable son-of-a-bitch, I have an eye-opening wake-up call for you: Money isn't going to change that; you'll always be a miserable son-of-a-bitch, albeit potentially one with more money. I've met happy rich people, and I've met happy poor people. Only the ignorant would think the inverse wouldn't also be true, because I've met them too. Even my own wife quipped recently, "I know money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure can buy freedom." No, I have no idea what she meant by that, and I didn't ask. You see, she's a bit of a soothsayer - a portal through which the gods occasionally speak - and I've learned to sometimes just listen. Will this divination make itself clear at some point? I have no idea.

The thing about being you, is that no matter how much money you have, where you live, where you work, what kind of car you drive, the restaurants and bars you haunt, etcetera, you're still you. Which is wonderful news for those of you at peace with yourself. Not so much for those of you who are constantly frustrated with the world around you - changing external stimuli is a fun, wonderful pastime for the well-adjusted. Those who expect a change in themselves because it? Well, frustration begets frustration. Its a vicious cycle of misplaced self-hate.

But I have seen those who have broken free. People just like you and I who have learned to become perpetually at peace no matter what is going on around them. Now-a-days, when someone snidely remarks, "We can't all be happy like you all the time," I challenge them to try. Its not magic.