|
| Photo by Amy Loves Yah |
Are you happy? If not, do you hope to be happy some day?
Why not be happy right now? What are you waiting for?
“I’m too busy right now with school,” you say. “I’ll be happy when I graduate.”
Or, “Happiness is for the successful. I’ll be happy once I have a lot of money.”
Really? Are you sure about that?
|
| Photo by rynosoft |
Mr. Banks spotted the sign from the back seat of his limo. “Stop!”
His chauffeur pulled over to the curb, got out and rushed around to open the door for his boss.
Mr. Banks stepped out and stood for a moment, studying the large sign above the entrance:
THE HAPPINESS STORE.
He went into the store and walked up to the counter. “I want to buy some happiness. And give me the very best you’ve got.”
|
| Photo by Photo2217 |
“I’m sorry, Sir, but we don’t sell happiness.”
“Then why do you call it The Happiness Store?”
“Because we store happiness.”
“You store it, but you don’t sell it.”
“Correct.”
“Well, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of. How can you store happiness?”
“I’m sorry, Sir, but I can’t tell you that. It’s proprietary technology.”
Mr. Banks scowled at the clerk, and then turned and walked toward the exit. What a scam, he thought.
A young man blocked his path. “I may be able to help you,” he whispered.
“Get out of my way.”
“You want happiness, right?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“Well, I can sell you a share of happiness.”
Mr. Banks was intrigued.
“But I’ll need cash.”
“I might be interested.”
“Follow me.” He took Mr. Banks to a back room and closed the door. “Please have seat, Sir.”
|
| Photo by andronicusmax |
The young man sat down behind a large laptop and began to type and click—apparently hacking into the system.
Mr. Banks didn’t care—as long as he got what he wanted.
“Okay, here we go. This guy is happy because his doctor told him he has 18 months to live. I can give you a good price on a share of his happiness.”
“Why is he happy? He’s about to die.”
“I don’t know. But this data is extremely accurate, Sir. I can assure you of that. So, what do you think?”
“I would be happy for 18 months?”
“Yes.”
|
| Photo by Robert S. Donovan |
“Well, I guess that would do. Then I’d just come back and buy another share.”
“No, Sir. That’s not how it works.”
“You mean it’s a one-shot deal?”
“That’s correct.”
“So, I’ll be happy for 18 months and that’s it.”
“Yes, Sir. And then you die.”
“What?!”
“You get exactly the same experience as this man. When he first found out he had cancer, he was told he had less than three months to live. Later his doctor revised it to 18 months.”
“So, I’d get cancer and die. Well, if that’s the best you can do for me, then I’d rather go on being miserable.” He stood up.
“Wait,” said the young man, typing and clicking furiously. “How about this guy? He inherited millions.”
Mr. Banks sat back down. “This could work for me.”
“Looks like he wasted his fortune and ended up living on the street.”
“I should have known.”
“But after a few months, he found happiness.”
“How? By becoming a self-made man?” Mr. Banks perked up. “Yeah, I’ll bet he started his own company and became wealthy again. I could that—I think. Although I don’t know about living on the street…”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. He didn’t become wealthy again. He’s working at an auto repair shop. Says he loves it.”
“This is nuts,” said Mr. Banks, as he got up to walk out. “I’ll find my own happiness.”
But he never did.
|
| Photo by Amy Loves Yah |
A little girl is standing in the yard, blowing bubbles. Sometimes when she blows into the soapy membrane it just pops. But other times her breath launches an array of multicolored bubbles of various sizes.
You observe the sheer joy in her face as she watches the bubbles float through the air. This is what you’ve been looking for.
You rush up to her and place a $100 bill in her small hand.
Now they’re your bubbles. You will finally be happy. You attempt to gather your purchase. But each bubble pops the instant you touch it.
Happiness is elusive. But it’s not complicated.
|
| Photo by Robert S. Donovan |
The little girl was happy because of the bubbles.
Later she’ll be happy because it’s time to eat lunch. Then she’ll be happy when someone makes her laugh. She’s happy most of the time—and she’s not even trying.
Maybe that’s your problem—you’re trying to hard.
Perhaps you’re so busy seeking happiness in success, fame, and riches that you’re completely ignoring the beautiful bubbles floating all around you.
So, quit saving up for happiness. It’s already right in front of you.
Enjoy.
[...] Burton Robinson presents Saving Up to Buy Some Happiness posted at Mind Over Mania. “Are you happy? If not, do you hope to be happy some day? Mr. [...]
[...] Burton Robinson presents Saving Up to Buy Some Happiness posted at Mind Over [...]
A wonderful example of the elusiveness of happiness. Stop chasing and start enjoying!
Peace,
Bob