Comments on: “The best-laid plans of mice and men…” http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/ This life, well-lived. Thu, 27 May 2010 00:04:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Ryan V, http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Ryan V, Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:28:20 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-175 Its nice to see another thinking being. I believe that happiness comes from two things: realizing truth (or "God" or the "Divine" or what have you), and sharing our "truth" or reality, or gift with the world (kind of like a light bulb, it's gotta come in and go out to make us spark). The "job" or course is the going "out". Many people are willing to compromise being fulfilled because they live in fear that if they step out and do what they really want to do, they might not be able to make a living at it, they might starve, they might die. This of course is due to the fact that they haven't realized the first truth, but even so, I would rather be dead then live in misery. With this notion, I have pursued my interests. I've had many jobs, (including acting) and many wonderful experiences as a result, even though I received little to no support from anyone because they didn't think I could make a living at it. After all this time, I still can't say I've found the perfect little niche for myself, but I am a heck of a lot closer to it then I was many years ago when I launched off into taboo. And it keeps getting better. Let go of fear. Live as though you can't fail. There may be pain along the way, but it will dim in comparison to the reward. BTW, might I recommend journalism? You are observant and analytical. True (and objective) journalism looks at things from every perspective possible. Its nice to see another thinking being. I believe that happiness comes from two things: realizing truth (or “God” or the “Divine” or what have you), and sharing our “truth” or reality, or gift with the world (kind of like a light bulb, it’s gotta come in and go out to make us spark). The “job” or course is the going “out”. Many people are willing to compromise being fulfilled because they live in fear that if they step out and do what they really want to do, they might not be able to make a living at it, they might starve, they might die. This of course is due to the fact that they haven’t realized the first truth, but even so, I would rather be dead then live in misery. With this notion, I have pursued my interests. I’ve had many jobs, (including acting) and many wonderful experiences as a result, even though I received little to no support from anyone because they didn’t think I could make a living at it. After all this time, I still can’t say I’ve found the perfect little niche for myself, but I am a heck of a lot closer to it then I was many years ago when I launched off into taboo. And it keeps getting better. Let go of fear. Live as though you can’t fail. There may be pain along the way, but it will dim in comparison to the reward.

BTW, might I recommend journalism? You are observant and analytical. True (and objective) journalism looks at things from every perspective possible.

]]> By: ekriega http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-86 ekriega Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:32:54 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-86 levitation! i am surprised. i'm also impressed that you have been so public about your decision and the reasoning. my two cents about happiness: it is indefinable, but clearly recognizable when encountered. (i realize this rules out many times when an experience improves in one's memory as it recedes in time, but i chalk that up to wishful thinking and/or a coping mechanism - not saying either of those are always a bad thing - and wouldn't call that happiness) so how to encounter it, right now, in the present? honesty is required, and also openness to the present. and nothing says 'i'm open to the present' more than dropping out of law school, my friend!!! levitation! i am surprised. i’m also impressed that you have been so public about your decision and the reasoning. my two cents about happiness: it is indefinable, but clearly recognizable when encountered. (i realize this rules out many times when an experience improves in one’s memory as it recedes in time, but i chalk that up to wishful thinking and/or a coping mechanism – not saying either of those are always a bad thing – and wouldn’t call that happiness) so how to encounter it, right now, in the present? honesty is required, and also openness to the present. and nothing says ‘i’m open to the present’ more than dropping out of law school, my friend!!!

]]> By: Popupstorybook http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Popupstorybook Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:55:15 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-78 well said well said

]]> By: willwindow http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-74 willwindow Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:14:48 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-74 Levitation: I'm glad that you realized that you hate law school fairly early, and that you are acting on that realization. I hope you next step on something wonderful (like moss). I think a lot of times what we call "happiness" has to do with avoidance, and "peace" to do with void. But I like what pebble said better. When I have cake, I want to eat it too. When I don't have cake, I want to be OK with Fig Newtons. Levitation: I’m glad that you realized that you hate law school fairly early, and that you are acting on that realization. I hope you next step on something wonderful (like moss).

I think a lot of times what we call “happiness” has to do with avoidance, and “peace” to do with void. But I like what pebble said better. When I have cake, I want to eat it too. When I don’t have cake, I want to be OK with Fig Newtons.

]]> By: pebble http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-72 pebble Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:59:22 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-72 Happiness. Happiness is the orgasm of life. The peice of chocolate cake with ice cream and a cherry. It's those special moments that resonate with us and make us smile, laugh, hug someone. I personally think we often confuse happines for peace. If life were one giant happy, meals were one giant dessert and sex was only orgasm would it have any meaning? Would it continue to be pleasurable? Peace on the other hand is something that can float around us and in us no matter what. A sense of peace can be permanent and a sense of happiness is a wonderful temporary. Happiness. Happiness is the orgasm of life. The peice of chocolate cake with ice cream and a cherry. It’s those special moments that resonate with us and make us smile, laugh, hug someone.
I personally think we often confuse happines for peace. If life were one giant happy, meals were one giant dessert and sex was only orgasm would it have any meaning? Would it continue to be pleasurable?
Peace on the other hand is something that can float around us and in us no matter what. A sense of peace can be permanent and a sense of happiness is a wonderful temporary.

]]> By: levitation http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-69 levitation Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:27:28 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-69 Do we need to be able to categorize happiness in order to experience it? It seems, though we may not be able to articulate what happiness is, we can still know when we are or are not happy. I personally would ask, what is it that really makes us experience happiness, regardless of our individual interpretations of the word. The challenge then is separating the things that make us forget our unhappiness from the things that actually make us happy. Maybe that's too simple. Maybe that's not even your point. Do we need to be able to categorize happiness in order to experience it? It seems, though we may not be able to articulate what happiness is, we can still know when we are or are not happy. I personally would ask, what is it that really makes us experience happiness, regardless of our individual interpretations of the word. The challenge then is separating the things that make us forget our unhappiness from the things that actually make us happy.

Maybe that’s too simple. Maybe that’s not even your point.

]]> By: levitation http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-67 levitation Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:44:12 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-67 I really appreciate your comment. I can certainly see how it would appear that staying in law school makes sense, especially considering the limited background contained in my blog post. However, this decision has come with a lot more careful consideration than I cared to share in a blog post. Suffice it to say, that I know without a doubt that law school, in spite of its potential rewards, is not the right path for me. And, for a logical person like myself to be able to admit that, and move out into the unknown, is the biggest positive step I have made in my career search so far. Good luck to you as well. I really appreciate your comment. I can certainly see how it would appear that staying in law school makes sense, especially considering the limited background contained in my blog post. However, this decision has come with a lot more careful consideration than I cared to share in a blog post. Suffice it to say, that I know without a doubt that law school, in spite of its potential rewards, is not the right path for me. And, for a logical person like myself to be able to admit that, and move out into the unknown, is the biggest positive step I have made in my career search so far.

Good luck to you as well.

]]> By: rekonstruct http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-66 rekonstruct Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:39:22 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-66 Levitation, you raise an interesting series of points/quandaries for the contemporary reader. The Greeks would be proud to know their ideas have stretched this far--and perhaps a little confused because their far reaching ideas still don't touch our existential anxiety. I resonate with your decision process. It's one thing to commit to something difficult, to make sacrifices, to see years of one's life go to something that seems in the moment unfulfilling; it's quite another to follow that rainbow to a chamber pot instead of a pot of gold. Without spending too long on mixed metaphors, I'd like to pose two questions. First, do we even know what happiness is? It seems to drive much of our decision making, but do we even know what fits into the category 'happiness?' And second...well, there is no second question, not till we tackle the first one. Levitation, you raise an interesting series of points/quandaries for the contemporary reader. The Greeks would be proud to know their ideas have stretched this far–and perhaps a little confused because their far reaching ideas still don’t touch our existential anxiety. I resonate with your decision process. It’s one thing to commit to something difficult, to make sacrifices, to see years of one’s life go to something that seems in the moment unfulfilling; it’s quite another to follow that rainbow to a chamber pot instead of a pot of gold.

Without spending too long on mixed metaphors, I’d like to pose two questions. First, do we even know what happiness is? It seems to drive much of our decision making, but do we even know what fits into the category ‘happiness?’

And second…well, there is no second question, not till we tackle the first one.

]]> By: Heather http://happymortal.com/2008/10/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Heather Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:44:11 +0000 http://happymortal.com/?p=172#comment-64 Hmmm. I think you should stay in law school. It is an opportunity that most do not have, and I was feeling so inspired when I read that you were picking yourself up over and over. Personal story: I am in a position of having sought the perfect job, for me. I was certain that it would provide means and fulfillment in my life, and I was not hired after a year-long job interview. Something inside of me is still broken from that experience. Your experience resonated with me, and I liked that you entered law school after your attempts to get a job in other fields, because your possibilities after law school will be manifold. I think you might suffer in the short term, but in the long term, you will have pride, and hopefully, wisdom. Those things come at the cost of "now." Good luck to you- H Hmmm. I think you should stay in law school. It is an opportunity that most do not have, and I was feeling so inspired when I read that you were picking yourself up over and over. Personal story: I am in a position of having sought the perfect job, for me. I was certain that it would provide means and fulfillment in my life, and I was not hired after a year-long job interview. Something inside of me is still broken from that experience. Your experience resonated with me, and I liked that you entered law school after your attempts to get a job in other fields, because your possibilities after law school will be manifold. I think you might suffer in the short term, but in the long term, you will have pride, and hopefully, wisdom. Those things come at the cost of “now.” Good luck to you- H

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