I remember once asking my mother whether it was better to be happy or to be right. Without a moment's hesitation, she answered on the side of right. I, of course, as a teenager at the time was solidly on the side of being happy.
Many years later, I came to the realization that the two are alternatives are actually not alternatives at all, but inseparably intertwined demands of a fulfilled life.
Being right, or trying to be right, insisting on being right, or even a lifelong quest for the truth, is a sad and meaningless struggle if somehow it doesn't make us happy, or at least happier, and in some way contribute to the happiness of others.
On the other hand, from personal experience, I know that the pursuit of happiness, for its own sake, i.e. as brought about by immediate or simple pleasures is doomed to failure as a never-ending quest for the next high, the next thing, the next promotion, whatever we think might make us happy, or happier.
And when all is said and done, we must discover by exploration and experimentation what is right and true for us. Whether we accept, reject our modify and integrate the truths of our culture, our family or the spiritual tradition we were raised in, we must find our own tenets of faith, our own personal ethical and moral values, the creed that we live by daily.
So, I think that the missing piece of the puzzle is balance. And what actually constitutes balance may not look the same for each person. Each individual must also find their own balance between truth and feeling. In the end, doing the right thing should result in happiness, even if not immediately. And doing what truly makes us happy, fulfilled and content should be our right and true path.
Many years later, I came to the realization that the two are alternatives are actually not alternatives at all, but inseparably intertwined demands of a fulfilled life.
Being right, or trying to be right, insisting on being right, or even a lifelong quest for the truth, is a sad and meaningless struggle if somehow it doesn't make us happy, or at least happier, and in some way contribute to the happiness of others.
On the other hand, from personal experience, I know that the pursuit of happiness, for its own sake, i.e. as brought about by immediate or simple pleasures is doomed to failure as a never-ending quest for the next high, the next thing, the next promotion, whatever we think might make us happy, or happier.
And when all is said and done, we must discover by exploration and experimentation what is right and true for us. Whether we accept, reject our modify and integrate the truths of our culture, our family or the spiritual tradition we were raised in, we must find our own tenets of faith, our own personal ethical and moral values, the creed that we live by daily.
So, I think that the missing piece of the puzzle is balance. And what actually constitutes balance may not look the same for each person. Each individual must also find their own balance between truth and feeling. In the end, doing the right thing should result in happiness, even if not immediately. And doing what truly makes us happy, fulfilled and content should be our right and true path.
RSS Feed