Happiness

So many people search for it.
this search for personal happiness
becomes all their lives are about.

I was raised to think in terms of
accomplishments for oneself or
for others, of goals, of striving.

rest was something for the next
life
peace was something put off till
eternity
happiness was a static thing to
want,
an artificial and impossible par-
adise.
better to keep on trying to accom-
plish
what one has set out to accom-
plish.
in one’s life.

and yet, without seeking it,
and even now that I’ve quit booze,
or even maybe especially now that I I’ve
quit booze.
Ii often find that, momentarily at
least,
I am extremely happy, even quiet-
ly ecstatic.

and sure i get “stressed out,” espe-
cially
when ii take one or have thrust
upon me,
more than time realistically
allows,

but something tells me that,
in spite of struggle, strife, and
tension,

and regardless of what the future
brings,

i have known, on balance, much
more happiness
than those who go through life
thinking
that it’s playing hide-and-seek
with them.

© 2006 Gerald Locklin

Gerald welcomes your comments!