Examination Part 1

Guided by moral conviction and driven by loyalty to self, we must never lose sight of our destination and our only moral purpose: the achievement of our happiness. And so, realizing and identifying one's self-interests is an integral and fundamental step in the pursuit of happiness. Pinpointing those interests as interpersonal relationships and professional success is important in that it gives us purpose and guidance in our pursuit. Moreover, it is only through the careful orchestration, interplay, and -at times - adjustment of these self-interests that we can truly be happy.

Though it is human nature to react in such a way that “I” becomes the most important component in our day-to-day interactions (and rightfully so) one must always bear in mind that what we may interpret as a self-interest can be personality-driven and thus reactionary and at times impulsive. Catering to one’s immediate needs then becomes destructive in that it mangles an otherwise paved road. These selfish, immediate actions under the guise of self-interests are simply mindless self-indulgences in that they are a solution to the “now” and subsequently hinder the achievement of our long-term goals.

As we constantly evaluate ourselves we must from time to time examine our actions and short-term goals so each action is coherent and each goal is oriented.

Blitzkrieg

30000 feet. Somewhere above a Mid-Atlantic state.

I don’t like flying. I never have. Other than the boredom that seems to grasp me tightly, placing me in an impenetrable choke hold or the disconcerting realization that I have nowhere to go but the lavatory, I think it’s because I’m either going somewhere I’d rather not or I’ve departed a place I didn’t really want to.

(The captain has just announced that we are flying over Richmond, VA)

In this instance, I believe I’ve gotten a really bad case of the latter. A few hours ago I was in Augusta, Georgia spending time with someone very important to me. (Lately these trips to the Peach State have been occurring every other week.) Filled with creepy-ass gay clowns, vats of what A has called “smoked salmon nibbley things” before massive light dinners at home, and the ever so humorous Jewish Blitzkrieg attacks from the starboard side, my paradoxical time Georgia was magnificent.

(The captain has just announced that we are crossing the Potomac)

These bi-monthly visits aren’t always action-packed. They don’t have to be. Some of the best times have been spent in the kitchen preparing meals so I can have the pleasure of watching the happy dance, helping A with the DIY – or in this case, stand-there-and-watch William – home improvements or simply laying on what one has claimed to be the worlds most comfortable couch. ( It probably is.)

(The captain has just announced that we are crossing the Delaware River)

Too often, we hear that all good things must come to an end. I guess in that I-can’t-look-past- the-present kind of way, it’s true: My time in Augusta was limited and now I must return to my world. But in recent months, I’ve learned to look past that. Everything is real. Augusta is part of “my world.” So in that I-can-see-the-macro kind of way, this is all part of the bigger picture where someone special is waiting for me on the other side. Nothing has ended.

(Philadelphia is underneath me)

Nothing has ended with my departure. There may be a slight intermission between the creepy-ass gay clown circus and a much needed pause from the bottomless caloric well o’ smoked-salmon-nibbley things, but soon enough the Jewish Blitzkriegs will resume once again.

I can’t wait.

Jefferson's Grammar

Exposure to the philosophy which closely defines what I inherently believe came as a result of a new addition to my life.

It was neither a process nor a discovery but a fortunate introduction to a thought which articulated and reinforced everything I believed. Since then, my conviction has been galvanized and my sense of purpose has been redefined. And so with this discovery - this thought which inspires and drives me to be me - I must now realize the method with which I would like to achieve happiness.

Though we could easily fault him for the use of faulty parallelism, Thomas Jefferson had it right when he said wrote, "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Maybe this grammatical mishap - the addition of "pursuit of" - was an intentional departure in order to emphasize that our rights are limited in that they only offer the opportunity to pursue it. Whether or not we choose to do so is a personal choice -- a choice guaranteed by our inalienable right to liberty. Consequently, the addition draws attention to the fact happiness can never given to us. It is only through its pursuit - through an individual's examination of self-interests and the determination to achieve it - that we can really become happy.

I am in pursuit.

Me, Myself, and I

Lately, I've found myself wondering whether a strong concern for one's self-interests automatically precludes a strong concern for the interests of others. A few months ago I would've said yes. Having been one who has strived for magnanimity and - probably a more relevant practice - altruism, sacrifice and compromise seemed rather valiant -- anything contrary, an aberration.

In examining what my so-called self-interests are - among others, morality, education, and service - I've come to realize that a strong concern for others and the ability maintain an interpersonal relationship effectively can only be achieved when I place my self-interests in the foreground. Unless I find contentment in who I am and what defines me, "I" will cease to exist; Rand said it best: "[happiness] is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values."

After all, it is only after I've developed a clear understanding and acceptance of the things that define the aforementioned interests can I truly and wholeheartedly give.