Seeking Happiness

Throughout human existence, there has existed a common thread—seeking happiness, connection, and purpose. This yearning is universal to the human condition, yet the paths we carve are uniquely our own. If happiness had a blueprint, my life would be infinitely simpler. A loved one by my side, a single passion to pursue, and endless dreams, and possibilities always on the horizon. This trifecta, they say, is the essence of contentment. But my journey, tangled and unpredictable, often leaves me wondering—where’s the map?

I am a woman named Thomas. Born amid the flashing lights and echoing sirens of New York City, I now find myself in Vermont, where nature sings a quieter, more introspective song. The skyscrapers and city streets have been replaced by towering trees and gentle brooks, yet the quest remains—finding solace, understanding, and a purpose.

In moments of distress, the written word becomes my sanctuary. With every heartbeat, it feels like the world is reshuffling its cards, leaving me to ponder if I’ve already played my best hand. Amidst this whirlwind, penning my thoughts offers an anchor, a way to navigate the turbulence.

Life, in its previous avatar, was a predictable loop—a cascade of tasks, some mundane, some exhilarating. But as the winds shifted, time began stretching infinitely, pulling me into the depths of reflection. Stripped of distractions, the eternal question resurfaces with a vengeance: Why am I here?

There are days when I feel like an actor missing her script, watching others glide effortlessly through scenes of love, passion, and beauty. We are so enamored by the cinematic portrayal of life—a sequence of neat, well-orchestrated events. It feeds our yearning for clarity, for a universe where choices bear predictable fruits. We crave that mirrored perfection, the illusion of having control of our own destiny.

Yet, art in all its forms—movies, books, music—often teases far more than it reveals. They echo our desires, our fears, our achievements, painting a picture that feels tantalizingly close, yet painfully elusive. We might draw solace or even inspiration from them, but the real magic, the real challenge, is in living our unedited, and unscripted stories.

Loneliness, joy, chaos, liberation—all these emotions are milestones on our journey. As much as we might wish for a cosmic manual, an almanac of life’s twists and turns, true fulfillment comes from taking the reins, from active participation.

There’s a profound beauty in authoring our own destinies, and refusing to be passive bystanders. We can all to easily get ensnared in clichés of what if, and if only, or we can embrace the now, the present moment, with all its imperfections. Time waits for no one, yet it offers infinite opportunities for those willing to seize them.

We are all but stardust, fleeting and precious, in this grand cosmos. Each of us has a voice, a unique melody, waiting to be sung. It’s our duty to embrace the journey, to face the risks head-on. For in the odyssey of life, with its highs and lows, lies the real essence is that of existence. And even when the journey ends, the echoes still remain. In the end, the very act of living, with all its unpredictability, the most exhilarating adventure of all.

Colophon
The image used in this article was taken in 2019. When I captured this moment during my exploration of the Fownes Factory in Amsterdam, New York, I felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and wonder. Standing atop the roof, the expansive view before me whispered tales of an era gone by. The delicate interplay of light and shadows, coupled with the intricate textures of the old edifice, seemed to tell stories waiting to be uncovered. It’s more than just a photograph; it’s a piece of history that I had the privilege to experience firsthand.

Asides
I’m Going Through Changes | I Want To Live, Not Simply Exist | Nostalgia And The Loss Of Childhood Memories | Time Is An Irrelevant Social Construct | The Key To Happiness | Telling One’s Story