to many, it is of utmost importance to “make a
difference.” to bring about change. to leave one’s ever elusive yet definitive
mark on the world. the flesh is fleetingly mortal, but the actions executed by
the limber tendons of man are forever crystallized in permanent immortality.
when we are young—barely grasping the mechanics of reality—we dream of
grandiose impossibilities made plainly possible. precisely, we dream of easily
found and unreservedly granted happiness. thrust upon the fickle teenage years,
we skip lightly upon the path of illusion and disillusion; the heady scent of
fame (more aptly, infamy), success, and popular acceptance quickly consumes and
replaces the childish (literally) notions of
when-I-grow-up-Im-gonna-fly-to-the-moon. yet, still the veil of idealism
shrouds the eyes and from the set trail, we wander askance: this one on a
journey to the Ivy League, another on a journey to catch the girl out of his
league. happiness is recalibrated and reapportioned to worldly desires. as it
is, we enter the prime of our lives and the procedure is augmented, the pace
accelerates uncontrollably.
years pass, and finally the
machine jams. for some, it is only a minor malfunction. to most, it catalyzes
the proverbial “opening” of one’s eyes and the return of the infantile wish for
content complacency. the soul grasps blindly in the pursuit of happiness, and
for the lucky select, it is able to fill its hands with this magical substance.
in truth, it is within the capability of everyone to acquire this elixir.
how does one elucidate the
composition of happiness? simply. I believe happiness is the sum of the
uplifting impact we effect upon others: friends, families, a random stranger.
in times of despair and desperation; in times of lazy pleasure; we must never
cease to empathize with our fellow brethren, for surely this ability has
established the evolutionary superiority of our species. it is the only way to
“make a difference”, it is the only means by which our posterity can recall
their ancestors, it is the only panacea to the cruel and somber realities
exacted by the commanding mistress Life.
it is the duty of man