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A Life Worth Living
Happiness 101b:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
After a good nights rest in comfortable lodgings, recommended by the Chamber Of Commerce, we set off to check out the ritzy part of town that would surely give us some idea of the degree of Happiness one might buy when money is of no concern. And there it was before us. Beautiful homes on large well landscaped lots, wide driveways, and multiple garages usually sporting more than one expensive looking vehicle.On closer scrutiny, private swimming pools seemed to add to the must have feeling of neighbourly pride, as did patios complete with comfortable outdoor furniture and barb-que, and an assortment of family toys neatly committed to back yard enjoyment.
Well, this gave every indication of well-being for those who had found success in their chosen field of endeavors. And why not? There is something to be said for enjoying the rewards for intelligence, ambition, perseverance and hard work. And of course there is the sense of accomplishment that can feed the soul and may support a good attitude in life.
So far, the visual appearances seemed to exude all the Happiness money can buy, in satisfying the assorted egos in this area of town.
Being somewhat distracted by the music on the car radio, we wondered how it would sound if that was Ted Louis (remember him) playing his theme song and asking ‘Is Everybody happy’.
We did notice a few ‘for sale’ signs in the area and pondered why anyone would want to leave. Noticing a Realtor adjusting one of the signs, we stopped to express our interest in the area. A chatty conversation ensued of course and some tidbits of area history were confidentially offered.
It seemed one of the signs was the result of a job transfer of the principle wage earner, leading to a very heart wrenching decision to have to leave the security of this place of joy, happiness and well-being. Far from an easy decision; but with family cooperation and a good attitude in accepting change, the hoped for successful move will find new joy, happiness and well-being.
Another was the result of a job loss, loss of income and inability to maintain this apparently secure standard of living to which they were accustomed. Perhaps it is time to interject here the reality in life, that there is no ongoing security in life except for the hope we place in the love, justice and righteous care of our Heavenly Father.
Another was the result of a family breakup and divorce, and all the agony and distractions of sharing and disposing of family dreams, hopes, memories, property and heaven forbid, family members and children. Is our well-being so fragile that degrees of selfishness can disrupt a life time of happiness? Would the outcome of these situations be better if when having the opportunity to be right or kind, we would choose being kind?
We obviously were not able to discern the degree of happiness or well-being experienced by the people in each of these nice homes. If costs and acquisitions are meaningful to the happiness equation, they should be doing well. On the other hand, our ability to purchase everything we think we would like, does not always guarantee happiness.
The happiest of people do not necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. Come join us next time.
A Life Worth Living started as a series of articles about our journey, Cathy's and mine, through a period in our life somewhat altered by the symptoms of Alzheimer disease. Having been known to take pen in hand on occasion, it seemed a way to convey my curiosity about the culture of care for those so afflicted to the households of loved ones who are on such a journey. In this column you will get travel updates as we go along as well as a view of various other matters of interest to seniors.
