As 2017 draws to a close, our thoughts naturally turn to the New Year. We think about all of the events that have happened to us in 2017. In all likelihood, some of those events brought happiness and some of them brought tears. We try to roll our experiences into a neat ball – like a ball of knitting yarn – as we struggle to make some sense out of these past events.
It is my observation that most people are looking for something much deeper in their lives, something far more lasting than “happiness”. We all know that happiness can be very short lived. We are happy when we open our Christmas presents to find something that we have always wanted under the tree. But when the day is finally over, and all of wrapping paper is cleaned up, and the dishes washed, we quickly return to our everyday feelings which can easily change from day to day depending upon what is presently happening in our lives.
Most of us seek things that bring a far deeper satisfaction in our lives; something that brings us true joy, a glow that lasts through all of the ups and downs of daily living. I am always amazed at what common folks will do to satisfy their passions. And a man’s pursuits seem to have no boundaries. Our passions might include playing golf, going fishing, hunting, living in a cabin in the deep woods, boating, sailing, restoring antique cars, collecting things, and the list goes on and on. I observe that many of the lakefront homes that are built on the Finger Lakes are summer homes. Even these multi-million dollar year around homes are only occupied briefly during the summer months or perhaps even for just a few days around the holidays. But to their owners, they are a sanctuary, a place of great joy.
All of these pursuits, whether we be rich or poor, bring true joy to the heart, a glow that carries us through all of the daily ups and downs which occur in our lives. And there seems to be no end to the effort or money required in pursuing these passions. We create a place where our hearts can to be at rest and at peace, even if our bodies can’t be there.
My New Year’s resolution is to live closer to where my heart wants to be. I am going to try harder to block out all of the false information that surrounds me each day. It does me no good and its only purpose is to take me further and further away from where my heart truly wants to be.