5 Stories; 5 Lessons
A tale of finding happiness
When I was 14 years old, in junior high, my school was an hour and a half drive. Every day I would have to make a choice, buy something for lunch, or trek home? I can’t have both as my pocket money was never enough to feed me and also transport me back home.
“Where are you going? Home! I know that! I mean ain’t you taking the bus?
No… don’t have money. Let’s go, I have money.”
And so it started between me and my friend. Once he understood the dilemma I had to face each day, he made sure we both get on the bus and I practically became his responsibility.
All through my junior high and senior high, for every time, I could not afford my fare, he would foot the bill. On days where he can not afford mine, he would walk with me. Even though he could have just paid for himself and get home an hour earlier.
He was my childhood best friend and still is to this day. He was like a home away from home. My parents loved him as their own. He was respectful, humble and caring. In an article, I have mentioned how often he brings gifts to my mom.
As I grow older, I began to appreciate the pricelessness of true friendship. It is not surprising that with old age comes yawning for true and meaningful relationships. Because we begin to understand that there are only a few sources of true happiness. And good friendship is one of them.
In my search for meaning, and clarity I have often asked one question that would hopefully encapsulate all I truly seek — what makes a truly happy life?
I have found a few things to be profoundly meaningful that have given me moments of great joy I will forever keep in my heart. Friends are one of those. And below are four more of those unforgettable anecdotes that have brought me true happiness and meaning.
I played soccer a lot growing up. It was one thing, or you could say the only thing I was pretty good at. Almost every evening, we would gather in an empty school field, usually alongside a close cousin of mine.
There was a day when I had a falling out with some other guy. And he went about in high voice threatening to deal with me.
“You won't dare try anything stupid I can’t be here while I watch you insult my bro. Try anything, and I will mess you up.” My cousin screamed back at him.
Even I found it surprising. I have always had a good bond with my family and relatives, but that cemented it even deeper for me.
Family is like a garden that makes life beautiful. That fragrance you may not really know where it’s coming from, but you know it is there. To be surrounded by family is to be surrounded by love and security.
A songwriter said, in answer to what a good life may entail; “Someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to”, he sang.
“You’re not gonna leave me… I won't let you. Or at least, I am not gonna make it easy for you.”
My partner has been more than a blessing to me. I know that already, but when she said those words to me, shortly after we almost split, all thanks to me, I realised that indeed. What a blessing, a loving and devoted partner can be for anyone in life.
I know of my flaws, my temper, my impulses, and the list goes on. But yet, she chooses to look beyond that. She looks at me with the eye of Goethe who said; “look at a man the way that he is, he only becomes worse, but look at him as if he were what he could be, then he becomes what he should be.”
Love builds us up, it lifts our vision of ourselves and helps us transcend our ego. It provides for us ‘un luogo di Liberta e Pace’––to truly be and live.
Some time ago, I wrote an article out of the confusion of my heart, to make a decision that would affect my life from here on out. When my boss called me three weeks ago, he called because he needed me to come back to work once the COVID–19 restrictions have been lifted.
I had to choose between doing what I love or going back to working for someone for nearly 15 hours every single day, which leaves me drained, exhausted and often depressed.
As the songwriter noted earlier, part of what makes life worthwhile is having something to do. But not just anything I might add, but something you love.
I love writing. I want to do it for the rest of my life. I could do a few other things too as I have a few other passions, but writing would be the centre of it all.
The older we grow, the more our souls yawn to do meaningful works — to contribute. To know that somehow, directly or indirectly we are contributing to a larger cosmic body that is higher than ourselves. Whether we believe in the supernatural or not.
When I walked out of my church on Thursday of May, a day before I embarked on a land journey that brought me to Italy. I walked out with a little bit of faith. But that was not how I walked in.
I walked in scared and uncertain. Who isn't aware of the hundreds of boats and lives that have been lost at the Mediterranean sea? I was scared.
So I took a seed offering, knelt down at the altar, shared some prayers along with some tears, and walked away feeling a little bit braver. Not braver in my own power and courage. But braver in God, knowing that He never sleeps nor slumbers. Knowing that He has spoken His word over my life, words of peace and protection to bring me a future and hope. And His words do not come back to him void.
My faith in God has been ‘the’ fundamental source of happiness and peace in my life. Everything I owe, I owe to Him. He is my rock and my fortress, in Him I will forever trust.
When it comes to life and happiness, it is true everyone needs to walk their own path, however, the question is, to where?
Our paths may be different, but I believe the destination we all desire, is the same, or at least, very similar — HAPPINESS and PEACE.
If you are like me, and you've done away with the world's definition of what a happy life really is, then I’m sure you'll find pieces of truths and wisdom in what I have learned in my own journey of what may indeed really be the elements upon which a happy and truly meaningful life can be built.
As a recap, the 5 lessons from the 5 stories, that holds the wisdom to happiness are;
- Friends
- Family
- Love
- Passion
- God
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