Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness

By: Michael Buckley

~For Ainslei, it will get better.~

Preface:

One of life's longest unanswered questions is,"How can I lead a happy existence?" Well, there has always been answer to that, in my opinion. The answer is love. For if you find your true love, you'll be forever happy. Don't get the wrong idea, you shouldn't go out and pursue love with ill tidings or motives. And love is not to be rushed, either. I have seen those around me fall to peer pressure and give themselves to those they can't love, and I have seen it go astray to an almost destructive level. Quiet recently (It won't be that recent when you read this, of course) my dear friend suffered a loss, not of terminal nature, but of a false love interest. It was her story that inspired me to write the first of three sections to this short story: Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Enjoy the first section on Love, and how you can go about finding it.

-Part 1- Love

Although my friend's identity must remain disclosed, by her wishes, I can tell you that she is of the female persuasion and that she is Asian in ethnicity. Her almost lover was, of course male, but of African American ethnicity. Although this may seem like an odd match, they were a great and adorable couple while they were together for the few months that they were in love. But soon, my friend felt that there was something missing from the relationship. She went on tell me that she was afraid that she would hurt or disappoint this person in some way, shape, or form. She continued by saying that she never let anyone get as close to her romantically as she did this boy. I began by asking her why she was hesitant to let someone love her. She said that she has hurt her family and friends by saying things she shouldn't have said or done things that made them angry at her. But the truth is, no matter how deep the wound lies in a family bond, it will always heal. Because the bond of family is the strongest there is, and I told her nothing could change that. Friends are like family, in a way, and if a friend can't forgive the other friend, then it isn't a worthwhile or true friendship. She then stated that something was missing from their relationship; something crucial and needed to hold a relationship together.

----I told her that love is like a bridge, it can be solid, sturdy, and unmoving.

Or, it can be like a draw bridge: it starts of strong and together, but then begins to separate. Slowly, but surely, it begins to separate, to the point where the once single bridge is now cut in half down the middle. The two halves are as far apart as possible. All she had to do was figure out what the boat was that was making the two parts separate.

----After a few moments of thinking, she admitted that she had reserved feelings for someone else, that she knew would work out. We conversed for a few more minutes when she finally decided that she was going to tell her boy friend that it was time they end it and maybe just become friends. Unfortunately, her ex didn't feel the same, despite her thoughts that he did.

---- The conversation below is the exact words from the incident:

Guy: It was great meeting you. I learned so much about you, and I loved you a lot. I hope you meet a nice guy someday. I'm going to count down... This is good bye

5...

4...

3...

2...

Girl: Ok, so we are just friends right?

Guy: Actually, I think it's better if we just don't talk to each other anymore.

Girl: Why?

Guy: Eh. I just think it would be best.

Girl: No, there's a reason. Tell me.

What is it.

Guy: No

Girl: Is it because of your past...?

Guy: No, I don't want to talk about it.

Girl: I'm sorry.

Guy: 1...

Girl: Goodbye. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm so sorry. This is my last message before I block you. I truly am sorry, and I was always honest with you. You were my almost lover.

----It took her a few days to get back to her fun loving and ecstatic self, but she got there, none the less. Just remember that it will always get better. There are plenty of fish in the sea. You just have to keep swimming.

-Part 2- Life

---- For years, people have been trying to figure out what life is, and how they can make the best of it. There is also a simple answer to this. To master life an all it's potential, you just have to find out what makes you happy. For some, it takes a lifetime. But for others, it comes within a moment of time, faster then the speed of life. Once it is discovered, it consumes your entire life. That's how it happened for me. When I figured out how much I loved writing, and that I wasn't bad at it, I started writing story after story. Jotting down idea after idea until I could form a coherent thought about a certain subject or topic.

----This story, for example, started off as a conversation in which I was helping a friend through an emotional quandary. I wanted to help them, and through that want, an idea began to form in my head. An idea that fueled my passion for writing. It made me see things in an entirely different way; an almost serial way. From them in, writing became an even bigger part of my life, if that was possible. Because I realized that I could help people using my skills as a writer.

---- However, not all things, even if they make you happy, aren't meant to be pursued. Someone who's occupation is drug dealing and does enjoy doing said drugs would then be convicted to however many years of jail time. You may enjoy doing the crime, but the time makes the crime seem less desirable. Or if you were serial killer who relished in the act of murder and death, you would suffer an equal, perhaps even more undesirable outcome. The point is, don't do anything that will result in your unhappiness. That defeats the purpose of being happy. And if you are a serial killer or a drug dealer, or both, I highly suggest you find a new hobby.

-Part 3- Pursuit of Happiness

----Finally, the part that you probably haven't been waiting for, but that I hope you enjoy. The conclusion to my grand epiphany that I had just a few weeks ago. In this part, I will explain to you how you may go about achieving what ales you happy.

---- There are any ways you can attempt to achieve happiness. But very few ever reach complete spiritual enlightenment and are happy for the rest of there lives. The first way you can have happiness within your grasp is by doing what you love. Never, and I mean never, should you accept a job or way of life that makes you unhappy and your life miserable. Many people these days give up on their dreams because it seems to hard and it's that the situation demands that they put aside their dreams to survive. And sometimes, that is the case.

----But that doesn't mean you should loose hope on your dreams entirely. Simply put them aide for the time being, or better yet, keep it up in your spare time. Sa I am in school, it has been harder to keep my dream of publicizing a book and even writing it. That doesn't mean that I should stop all together. I am writing bit by bit, assembling the book piece by piece.

----The second way you can greatly improve your chances is by reaching out to friends and family for help or ideas. I can't tell you how many times I've asked my friends for ideas or topics for my writing. This very story, as I've mentioned earlier on in the Love section, was inspired by one major event in my friends life, as well as a plethora of other events in my own life. ----My family has been nothing but supportive in this entire endeavor. They have been there until the end, and I've been able to ask them questions that have helped me grow as a person. Plus they pay the bill for the phone that I am writing this on. If you have a bad relationship with your parents, I direct you to the Love section yet again: no wound that is given in the family is unhealable. Reach out to them, and I am sure they will help you, and even forgive you, perhaps. Family is forever, when friends can easily sway.

Conclusion:

----Thank you all for taking the time to read this and I hoped I helped you in some minuscule was. I'd like to thank so many people: my parents, the friend that started this all. Of course, I don't know of this will get read by a lot of people. You can never really be certain. But for those who I know will read this, thank you.