Contentedness
The other thing that recent NH trip taught me was a reminder in contentedness. I meet a lot of people on these trips. Some are friends or prior mentors who are well ahead of me in the tangibles -- money, houses, vacations, etc. Some are college students getting in a whole lot more "exploration" than I ever did. Some are new acquaintances doing brilliant scholarship.
And yet, for all the variety of riches I see, I find myself less feeling jealous and more wanting to get back to jennifermuppet" and my own life, 60-hour work week be damned. Every person I met has had to make some major trade-offs to be where they are. For all they have that I don't, each and every one has a burden that I'd really rather not carry.
This should not surprise me. I am very fond of quoting the still-evolving body of work that says human being are just wired for certain levels of happiness, and that we'll probably be content (or malcontent) no matter what. It's still useful to get the occasional reminder that all things considered, I have it pretty good.
And yet, for all the variety of riches I see, I find myself less feeling jealous and more wanting to get back to jennifermuppet" and my own life, 60-hour work week be damned. Every person I met has had to make some major trade-offs to be where they are. For all they have that I don't, each and every one has a burden that I'd really rather not carry.
This should not surprise me. I am very fond of quoting the still-evolving body of work that says human being are just wired for certain levels of happiness, and that we'll probably be content (or malcontent) no matter what. It's still useful to get the occasional reminder that all things considered, I have it pretty good.