Conundrum…. to be honest with you… I can’t even pronounce it.
That’s what I am in, and I am trying to find an answer… without having to say the word out loud.
Have you ever searched for happiness? I think there are two kinds of people. The first kind is happy no matter what, the second is searching… constantly… for no matter what. Unfortunately, I belong to the later.
Both kinds are necessary for this world. I am very happy when I am with people who show me where, when, and how I can be happy. Then I can show them even greater happiness.
I am in Berlin. Berlin is my home. Im German we have this funny word “Heimat”. If you travel around the world, as more an more people do these days, Heimat takes on a strange meaning. I can see the negative sides of my “Heimat”, I can compare, I can see the pro and cons, I can find new little Heimats all around the world, but when I come home it still feels special.
PS: To those of you in the US constantly complaining about the price of gas… it could be worse… you could be paying German gas prices at 1.51 Euros a liter, thats US$9.10 per gallon. Bicycle sales are up, but there are still enough traffic jams to make me think that US$15 per gallon is feasible.
perhaps a little time in berlin will help you sort out the conundrum. i’ve found sometimes when i am searching for something (happiness, peace, whatever) i just need to go back to the beginning.
Comment by lime — July 17, 2008 @ 3:41 am
Malaysia is my home. And yet when I was home last, it didn’t really take away my unhappiness. I found out that I could be in Paradise and still be unhappy.
Here’s an excerpt from “24 hours a day”
“Life is not a search for happiness. Happiness is a by product of living the right kind of life, of doing the right thing. Do not search for happiness, search for right living and happiness will be your reward. Life is sometimes a march of duty during dull, dark days. But happiness will come again. Happiness is always the by product of a life well lived”
Best wishes x
Comment by Kien Lim — July 17, 2008 @ 7:19 am
Happiness can only be found within. At least that’s how I think the saying goes, but regardless, it is true. Hopefully you find it soon.
Comment by btexpress — July 18, 2008 @ 1:43 am
conundrum…it is a fun sounding word…
-but not much fun.
Make a list — what, who, where makes you happy. Then act.
My thoughts are with you — you will rise out of the drum you are in.
Comment by APj — July 19, 2008 @ 10:24 am
I am definitely a type 2 as well. The search of home/roots/belonging-in-the-long-term-in-a-place is something that preoccupies many of us travelling types, but then at the end of the day, it’s that special feeling that I get when I land in a city that tells me whether it is home to me or not..
By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for a couple of weeks ago!
Comment by Evie — July 20, 2008 @ 2:15 am