Reflections on life. Collections of inspirational quotes. Rediscovering relationships and faith.
Posted in HAPPINESS, HAPPINESS QUOTES, LOVE on May 27th, 2007 No Comments »
Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
It’s Sunday and I’m alone in my room. Listening to the pitter-patter of the rain while watching an old film, The Bridges of Madison Country. It is about two people who find the promise of perfect personal happiness, and understand, with sadness and acceptance, that the most important things in life are not always about making yourself happy!
I looked outside the window. I can’t see the sun. It’s hiding behind the clouds, like me…hiding my feelings.
Is there such a soul who can recognize the grandeur and timelessness of passion in another person? Perhaps it is a connection through a passing gaze that locks the two forever in familiarity. Unfortunately, there are circumstances and limitations which are presently existing and one has to deny, to rationalize, and to suppress this divine meeting of providence.
The rain continued pouring, getting stronger as I remember one evening of December last year. I unexpectedly met Ivoh, someone whom I haven’t seen nor heard for more than twenty five years! We had a very short lived and adventurous relationship in the past. Yet, for one choice I had to make, I left this person without a trace.
Twenty five years…we have woven different stories, different experiences and different status in life.
Twenty five years…yet this person carries within memories of “us” together as if it happened only yesterday! The richness and positiveness of what this person’s mind can remember about me is absolutely astounding!
I never knew this kind of emotion could exist. Pure, timeless, strong, vivid!
“I’m happy I found you again!” , “My love for you never changed“, Ivoh told me.
A confirmation similar to what Robert told Francesca in Clint Eastwood’s “The Bridges of Madison County:
“I have one thing to say, one thing only; I’ll never say it another time, to anyone and I ask you to remember it: In a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live. -”
Once in a lifetime, I found this certainty of a dream so beautiful finding its supreme completion in a person but alas, reality is different from dreams!
I have to make my choices and think of the consequences...
Ivoh boarded the plane back to U.S., back to a wedlock where Ivoh rightfully belongs!
I sigh! Like the sound of the rain washing away my emotional lethargy.
Drops of rain gleamed on my window stopping my thoughts in silence. Wishing each droplets would carry my message to Ivoh: “Thank you for the love and please forgive my taciturn self.”
A thunder flashes its dreadful light awakening in me a sad reality: it is not possible!
The most important things in life do not always equate to happiness!
P.S:
To my co blogger Sam, this is one possible answer to your QA Exchange Solution”
Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.” – Hellen Keller
What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.” – Leo Buscaglia
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” – Albert Camus
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer
There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year’s course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” – Carl Jung
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin Roosevelt
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” – George sand
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” -Dalai Lama
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” – Hellen Keller
The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?” – Henry David Thoreau
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.” – Horace Friess
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” James Oppenheim
The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.” -John Milton
The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” – M. Scott Peck
More happiness quotes to follow