The Child that Never Dies.
“What a drag it is getting old.” Mick Jaggar
I recall sitting in my bedroom with my best friend, John at age 12 singing to the top of our lungs along with the song “Mother’s Little Helper” from the Album, Through the Past Darkly. I always wanted a pair of snakeskin boots like Brian Jones wore on the cover.
"Life's just much too hard today,"I hear ev'ry mother say
The pusuit of happiness just seems a bore
And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
No more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
They just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day
Much has changed since then: 30 years have passed; I no longer think Mick and Keith are the coolest people on the planet (although despite one some think--they are still a very hard act to follow); and I don’t think it is a drag getting old(er).
As a matter of fact, I’m probably healthier and happy than at any point in my life.
I wonder if this is because I no longer pursue happiness as much as I pursue God and knowing myself. Don’t misunderstand me, I want to be happy, but it is no longer my goal. I guess I realized earlier in life that more power, property, prestige, and possessions will not make me happier. For I think Mick and Keith were right, it seems the pursuit of happiness does become a bore for as long as happiness is my pursuit I’ll never get my fill.
Perhaps it is just maturity? I don’t know, for I still act like a 12 year old at times.
A few years ago I made it my “goal” to know God and know myself. It’s amazing what happens when one shifts his focus from the pursuit of what will “make him happy” to what will “give him life.” I’m still seeking to know God and myself… perhaps the pursuit is what becomes a drag??? Maybe it really is all about just being… accepting… resting... breathing... holding... letting go...
Like Hafiz once said, “I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through—listen to the music.”
Perhaps that’s what I just learning to do, not play… not pursue… just listen… and when I do I am taken back to the child who never dies.
4 Comments:
I don't think of it as a pursuit, but a journey that never really ends. On certain legs of the journey it's probably okay to act like a 12 year old again.
(I agree with you completely about the snakeskin boots. I had Stones posters plastered all over my bedroom wall for years and my my mother thought Mick was the "ugliest" person she'd ever seen...she just didn't get it.)
Hello, I surfed in, very cool blog.
I have been reading a book by Larry Crabb called "The Pressure's Off". This book has punched me in the stomach. It's about how we place blessings from God like a good job, self-esteem, relationships etc., above knowing God himself which is the only real blessing, and how we treat our relationship w/God like a transaction where if we just do the right things, he will bless us, and we can run off like the prodigal son with his inheritance and not come back to God until/unless we need something. Then when life goes all wrong--we are in the pig sty, broke--we try to figure out what to do to get the blessings we want from God instead of opening our hearts to know him and be transformed. You reminded me of this when you wrote that you were looking to know God and yourself first, not just to be happy. Sorry such a long post, but man did that book get to me, and your post reminded me of it.
Thanks Laaaayla!
Hi Stacey, welcome. Yes, it seems we tend to seek what God will give us: "blessings", peace, fill-in-the-blank, instead of God.
I was just thinking about writing another post realted to this. I lie Larry Crabb. The Safest PLace on Earth is one of my all time favorites.
I hope you come back.
Amazing, isn't it, how happiness is found, by not pursuing it!
Post a Comment
<< Home