Skip to main content

Drama


II

Shining sharp, bright, cold, the comfort of the moon, a constant cycle keeping me from being too much day to day, and reminding me how short the lifespan of such drama can be. I see her every 2 weeks, waxing, waning or hanging full 'above'. As my day started last Wednesday, the moon's was setting in this hemisphere. She accompanied me to work, giving me more than the day ahead, the people snoozing around me on the bus, and my own fatigue, to ponder.

I've been pondering happiness, and how simple the pleasure of looking at the moon is. I found that one of the countries/regions in Asia claiming to be the inspiration behind Shangri-la, has been moving toward's happiness as a primary goal in governance. Bhutan's ruler was a monarch until a few years ago, and peacefully and willingly converted the country to a democracy. They are known to be the happiest people on the planet, and their happiness was planned. As I think about this, I find it terribly difficult, being the concerned citizen I am, being unconcerned with my self, to avoid identifying reasons that one country can mindfully pursue happiness, while another cannot. Materialism naturally pops into my mind as a potential culprit, and materialism came about because of the choices and the abundance we found 350 years ago in the 'new world'. For whatever reason, our system of living, even the 'pursuit of happiness' have become a euphemism for pursuit of wealth, which results in more unhappiness.

The value placed on materials is artificial. I've been thinking for years now about diamonds, and how they are so valuable, not because they're rare, but because they are artificially controlled AND beautiful objects. Diamonds are a prime example of misplaced pursuit. One does not need a diamond, and yet not long ago, they were ubiquitous expressions of love and success.

Every time I hear a value ascribed to an object now, I think of whether that object is part of a commodified happiness, or is it a need that facilitates happiness.

Onward, into the next moon cycle, our own diamond constant in the sky.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The next blush

It's upon us, the next series of blushes, nature ripening another round of fruits, flower, vegetable... The tomatoes are showing the first color, the wild blackberries are ripening one at a time, but there are thousands. Look closely, there are large diagonal raindrops in this picture. The peach lily is blooming as if aroused to a new height this year, perfect weather, rain, sun, balance. This is one of my favorite flowers of all time, and now, I wait each year for them to bloom. This year they are welcoming July again, right on time. The cucumbers are coming alive too, dozens of flowers, a few cukes ready for the weekend.
1 comment
Read more

Nectarine juice

You must let the juice drip down your chin at least once. It is quite therapeutic, I think. I find myself neatening up, frustrated when I drop a berry on the floor... 'argh, gotta wipe that up!', and when I am busy, that dust that builds up in so short a time and must be sucked up and away to keep a keen house is just another source of angst. Today, I was in the middle of a project, but hungry, and saw the nectarines on the counter watching me work. I reached over and grabbed the softer of them, and took a bite. I was doused with sweet juice, my beard now sticky and the window where it squirted eyeing me, waiting for my reaction. It was a learning experience, a life lesson, and I smiled to myself and to the walls and thought, 'hey baby, let the juice flow.' If you've read my 'other stuff', you are probably wondering what I am on about, but soon you'll nod and know. Last week I was out returning home from a midweek appointment and decided to t...
2 comments
Read more

The quaintest swings.

As I worked around the house today, repairing, cleaning, moving things to where they belong, reclaiming space post-divorce, I ended up thinking expansively about my life. This led me to affirmations I'd not heeded previously, but am otherwise proud of. Later as I cooked dinner, sauteing onions and shiitake mushrooms with some garlic from the garden, my plan was to have it over arugula with tomatoes, also from the garden, and to augment with Israeli feta. I found myself wondering that I can grow beans, and enjoy them fresh off the vine, better by far than I can get anywhere else. I can grow tomatoes, and though I struggle with early blight, the fruit I get is astoundingly good compared to any I can buy. I enjoy many flavors, complexities that thrill me as I eat, and after sauteing the onions, throwing the mushrooms in for their turn, I decided to add a chopped fig from the tree given to me by a dear friend... I knew this salad would be special in ways that I could never impart to ...
Post a Comment
Read more