Here's To The "Good" Life...

It doesn't rain very often in Southern California..but sometimes it's nice when it does..allows you to catch your breath a little..

...Hungover and shuffling through a used-book store one Sunday afternoon in Long Beach, I stumbled across a book that kept me occupied on the flight down to Brazil. It was called "Finding Hope In The Age of Melancholy"...just the book you want to start reading on your way to Carnaval, right?! HA! Ah well, it kept me intrigued and drinking and I guess that was the point.

Anyway, it was a real account about an American man who had amassed all the material wealth (complete with career and family) that society had to offer and ended up in a very real mid-life crisis. Depression and confusion set in. The book is quite direct and to the point--with lots of historical references-- about how a man found meaning back into his life. For him it was done through spirituality, but I suppose one can draw inner-strength and mental clarity from a myriad of sources..be it a simple change of scenery, flying at 35,000 feet, or just by witnessing the incredible diversity throughout the world. I won't digress anymore about this book, however I do recommend it to anyone who occasionally likes to kick the can down the dusty and sometimes barren road of life. It certainly contains themes and ideas about America --and even the world--that I've seen posted throughout these blogs over the months.

One in particular relates back to the "The quarter-life" crisis, which is probably what drew me to it picking it up in the first place. Turning 25 next month, I realize the days are going by faster and faster, and sometimes it seems there isn't much to show for it. Are we blindly following a generation (baby boomers) that has chosen materialism and money to substitute human relationships, make them happy, and ultimately rule their lives?

On a personal level..Am I questioning and challenging myself on a daily basis or am I simply going through the motions..sending pointless bytes of information into cyberspace and collecting the paychecks...so that I can quickly run out and consume like the mindless blob that I know my Government thinks I am. Am I caught up in "the system"? You know, the one that perpetuates the status-quo and really does little to make the world a better place. Ahh, how I love thee...Self- reflection...

Sifting through all the madness, it does seem that most gauge their passing of age by some measure of whether or not they are living or on their way to..the "Good Life"..what can I do to achieve this nirvana? Hollywood promotes the "Good Life" as the 'Happy Life' and by buying, divorcing, and self-medicating yourself away from any real pain, people who have the purchasing power can achieve this...

As I turn older, I am beginning to realize how foolish this all is. The Good Life isn't about fat paychecks, great careers, or (God forbid I say this) perfect weather all year around..It's about taking the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the failures and successes. Life and Death, health and sickness. Friends and Family. It's about standing up for yourself and picking your battles..keeping your head up in rough times and steering yourself back on track. Free-Will. Indeed, how you deal with life's curveballs truly determines how well you're playing the game.

I guess that was one of the author's main points: sadness, despair, depression, guilt, and (from all the anti-valentines BS I saw on the blogs) even lonliness helps to make life just as beautiful as the joy, elation, and love. The "Good Life" is the tradegy of life, as flashed over our television newcasts day in and day out, mixed with the magical sensation of existence..like seeing old friends from distant places pop back into your life...

At 25, I can definately say I wasn't dealt a perfect hand, but, I'm def. enjoyin the ride...

Like Arthur said, "Ridin' the wave, baby, Ridin' the Wave"

So, some Quarter-Century Thoughts: The Ying and Yang. Carpe Diem. Life is precious.