Happiness

“Brower said, without emphasis, ‘That is what is known in my trade as a scenic climax.'” – John McPhee, Encounters with the Archdruid

Assuming the paradox that individuality is the cornerstone of humanity in spite of the many great generalities that can be made of the species, happiness is in and of itself dependent on the person. For some, it may be sitting by an open window in a heated house, listening to the rain patter outside and relishing in their relative dryness. For others, the company of friends and relatives on a warm day in a park, drinking beer and exchanging work stories for the greater part of an afternoon. The best of us I think can feel a particular satisfaction in teaching a concept successfully to a willing audience. Personally, happiness to me is a time of enjoyment that lasts longer than the ephemeral moments in life when I forget to doubt myself – the singularity in which I reflect on my moment in time and place holistically and have no doubts of my deserving to be there, and odd mixture of habitual self-doubt and confidence that is valuable because of its rarity. In reality happiness is all and none of these, disturbingly subjective and yet, perhaps, more betraying of human trends than at first appearance.

For David Brower, happiness was surely many things, as it is to all of us – but one notable expression of it was recorded by John McPhee as they hiked through the Cascades during the writing of the former’s biography Encounters with the Archdruid. Upon reaching an incredible view of Glacier Peak, there is a palpable moment when the view takes the breath away from the hikers, and all that can be said are words of awe. This is what Brower refers to as a ‘scenic climax’. There is something here that betrays human nature, in my opinion, in which there is beauty sought in things that make us stop thinking and simply admire, even if just for a moment. Personally, I can say that sometimes the best way to help my own attitude is to simply put yourself in a physically strenuous position, especially during a hike, and simply focus on nothing else but putting one foot in front of the other. When the hike is finished, temporarily, at the summit, and exertion is coupled with the impact of a view, I get out of my head a little bit. Exposing oneself to these moments is critical to putting things in perspective.

I think it’s a common thing for someone to ask themselves if they’re happy – it’s a critical question to ask nowadays especially, where media at large – social, advertising, etc. – suggests that everyone should be happy always. This is often in contrast with people being happy no ways, if you will, and it further cements a constant preoccupation of how the individual decides to ‘live their life to the fullest’. This is by no means a modern problem – surely it is a question that has plagued man and womankind throughout our existence, but it is no doubt exacerbated by the luxury of contemporary life. We are all too aware of the beautiful facades people put on for show, and it makes us feel left out. It’s easy to forget that people are all too good at adapting to better or worse situations, and that happiness therefore is a game we generally have to play with ourselves instead of an object that can be kept permanently. That is not to say that it is purely a state of mind and people in bad situations should just change their perspective – more so that, when possible, it helps to express what gratitude one can.

This blog, I hope, will serve two purposes: a selfish one, and, luck have it, a helpful one too. Primarily this will be an expression of my own concerns, in which I deal with the various ruminations based off my personal life, of which there will be varying relevance to the general reader. The second though, I hope, will be for this to act as a medium through which the individual can understand themselves, as if through a case study. As I mentioned, happiness is at once unique and general – it is impossible to understand it fully within any given person, but there are patterns at large. I think fiction in particular is an especially relevant tool for examining this, so perhaps this blog will become a collection of short stories examining the subject too. Whatever this blog is, though, let us use it to reflect on ourselves, and explore the implications of emotional impact behind Brower’s ‘scenic climax’. I want to believe that all it takes to start saving ourselves is a little bit of self reflection.