Enjoy the Ride
I was watching comedian Bill Hicks yesterday and he was at the end of his act this particular time and he was saying something like, “Does my act have a point?” He got around to explaining the point to his act, saying that life is like a ride that we get on, thinking it will be fun, but some people forget that what they are on is only a ride and get too attached to what they have acquired. But it’s okay, because it’s just a ride. Or you could view it as a game, like Steve Pavlina did. You can check his archives for Life: The Ultimate Game. I believe the whole message here is not to take life so seriously. See it as a form of entertainment. Detach yourself from any outcomes and just enjoy the ride. Be happy.
When you are playing a game, you are usually not overly attached to the outcome because it is just a game. And when you are on a ride, isn’t your sole purpose to have fun? Then why does having fun feel so good? Why is joy everythhing we search for? Why does everyone strive to be happy? Because we know that our natural state is joy and right now, the majority of us are not experiencing this joy. We know that we were happy before and we wish to be happy again. I find my joy in small pleasures, the everyday things that many people overlook. I don’t need a big party or lots of gifts at Christmas. What brings me joy are things like nature and a good idea. I realize our stay is not permanent here and I am taking the time to enjoy life in my own way. There is no one way to joy. Our lives are all so different and joy comes in many forms. For me, just the fact that I am still alive brings me some joy every day. Gratitude works wonders towards joy.
Right now, my minimalist quest is bringing me joy as well. I make it into a game most days. “What could I possibly get rid of today that is not in line with who I want to be?” The result is that I do so much more work on accomplishing this goal, and it doesn’t even feel like work. I think of ways to eliminate clutter and the ideas keep flowing. I am not attached to organization, I just enjoy doing it. And no, I do not have OCD. But you can joke that I do if you must. I’m also not so attached to minimalism. I just practice it as of now. It is a game I play now, but maybe not forever.
This ride has so many twists and turns that makes it worth riding in the first place. There is no predictability and you could be thrown off the ride at any time. But that’s why I think people ride it. It is called dangerous fun. We all know our time here is limited and if we spend our whole lives in fear of the unknown, how will we ever know anything? Education diminishes fear. If we spend all our time fearful of what might happen if we do this or do that, what kind of a life is that? What will you have left at the end but memories of you sitting in your house, pondering your darkest fears? At least do something. Write something. Read something. Enjoy the ride while it lasts. The carnival is moving out of town soon and the ride will have to relocate to someone else. Make the best of your time in your own way and live as though joy is your ultimate goal.