I just received a flyer from an ice-cream chain - bold print on top "INDULGE" - below a full-page color photo of an ice cream cone - at the bottom: "Find Happiness
WithinTM”.
How many times have sports fans loudly proclaimed after their team's win "It doesn't get any better than this!"? The bar can't possibly be set any lower to qualify as a "true hero," or "brilliant"!
Clearly we deeply value ultimate inner happiness, as well as the superlatives we've come to associate with such happiness. But we're also attracted to shiny, easily accessible things like
fish to spinning lures. Even if we know the shiny thing is junk, or
even harmful, we want it - instant gratification. This is why advertisers and the media assume that many of us will settle for cheap substitutes - $10 'Rolex' watches are everywhere. Quickly, easily grabbing something of real value can't be done (purse-snatchers excluded), so most of us settle for cheap imitations of the real thing (not Coke) we desire.
Conversely, we tend to avoid things that are difficult and take a long time to obtain, even though these may be highly beneficial eg aerobic fitness, ideal body weight, proficiency in a second language, mastery of a musical instrument, and most importantly - wisdom.
Some years ago, they took a group of young children and let them eat whatever they wanted from a buffet-style layout at each meal for a few weeks. Initially, most gorged themselves on cake, ice cream and candy. Gradually, however, they spontaneously ended up eating well-balanced meals. Their bodies let them know what was needed - 'whole body learning'.
Regardless of what we know intellectually, it seems that most of us need to directly, physically experience, "get a belly-full of" cheap substitutes (ad nauseam) before we're ready to pursue a deep, meaningful engagement with life. "Better late than never." AND with a bit of luck, we can start a disciplined journey toward meaning before hitting rock bottom.
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| Photo: Pugwash69 www.dpreview.com |
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