"Happiness is a state of mind. You can be happy or you can be unhappy."
-Walt Disney
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Prophecies and Transient Happiness
While Oedipus is not a book filled with joyful and pleasant
moments, the book can still tell a lot about happiness in a culture. In Ancient
Greece, prophets were of utmost importance to the society. Everything they said was taken in complete
seriousness and the prophets were not doubted. Therefore, when a grim prophecy
was told, they would take it to heart. In Oedipus, a prophet told his parents,
King Laius and Queen Jocasta, a terrifying prophecy and reacted immediately.
Instead of thinking about whether this decision of giving up their child would
make them happy or not, they attempted to change the destiny of their future.
King Laius and Queen Jocasta did not choose happiness in this situation.
Another example within Oedipus in regard to happiness is about the variability of happiness. Oedipus was a powerful king who had a beautiful wife and a lot of hopes for his kingdom. Before he even realized what was happening, he lost it all. His wife killed herself, he discovered he was the one who murdered the king, and also learned the king and queen were his parents. The chorus sums up Oedipus’ life by stating, “Now, in what a sea of troubles sunk and overwhelmed he lies! Therefore wait to see life’s ending ere thou count one mortal blest; Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest” (pg 101-2). This quote explains that despite how happy and pleasant his life was, it changed so quickly. People cannot assume that the rest of their life will be happy; they need to realize there will be hardships. Oedipus took action after discovering the truth of his life and made a choice of honor, to blind himself and remove himself as king, which, for the kingdom, was a choice of happiness. Even though Oedipus had a lot of struggles, he ended up creating a sense of happiness within his kingdom.
Another example within Oedipus in regard to happiness is about the variability of happiness. Oedipus was a powerful king who had a beautiful wife and a lot of hopes for his kingdom. Before he even realized what was happening, he lost it all. His wife killed herself, he discovered he was the one who murdered the king, and also learned the king and queen were his parents. The chorus sums up Oedipus’ life by stating, “Now, in what a sea of troubles sunk and overwhelmed he lies! Therefore wait to see life’s ending ere thou count one mortal blest; Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest” (pg 101-2). This quote explains that despite how happy and pleasant his life was, it changed so quickly. People cannot assume that the rest of their life will be happy; they need to realize there will be hardships. Oedipus took action after discovering the truth of his life and made a choice of honor, to blind himself and remove himself as king, which, for the kingdom, was a choice of happiness. Even though Oedipus had a lot of struggles, he ended up creating a sense of happiness within his kingdom.
Happiness was his choice.
Why the Question?
A tear streamed down Edison's face as I threw my suitcase into the bus, squeezing it into a spot so it would not fall as we made our drive back to Belize city. Edison was begging us not to leave, pleading with everything he had in him. As the tears began to come harder, I knew this would not be an easy goodbye. The ten year old boy was about to watch the people who cared for him the past week drive out of his life, until we would return next year. I grabbed Edison's hand and guided him over to the wooden table under the giant tree in the middle of the schoolyard. Just as I was about to say my final goodbye, Edison began to speak.
"Lauren, I know you think of our lifestyle as a giant struggle, and sometimes it is. But in my life, I have experienced so many moments of pure happiness. This week that you all have been here, has allowed me to have a smile on my face the whole time. Even when I would go home to sleep, no matter what was happening at home I knew I had you guys to look forward to the next day. And when you leave, I will still always find something to look forward too, but it will just take more searching. Happiness is a choice and while you guys see our lives as miserable and unbearable, some of us chose to deal with it and be happy while others choose to fall into the misery of the poor conditions."
He continued by thanking us for all that we had done for Forest Home Methodist School and said goodbye. Immediately as I dragged myself onto the bus, I whipped out my journal and wrote down what he said, in awe of the mature words that had just come from this ten year olds mouth. My idea on happiness would forever be changed from what Edison had told me, and I knew that I would never forget.
"Lauren, I know you think of our lifestyle as a giant struggle, and sometimes it is. But in my life, I have experienced so many moments of pure happiness. This week that you all have been here, has allowed me to have a smile on my face the whole time. Even when I would go home to sleep, no matter what was happening at home I knew I had you guys to look forward to the next day. And when you leave, I will still always find something to look forward too, but it will just take more searching. Happiness is a choice and while you guys see our lives as miserable and unbearable, some of us chose to deal with it and be happy while others choose to fall into the misery of the poor conditions."
He continued by thanking us for all that we had done for Forest Home Methodist School and said goodbye. Immediately as I dragged myself onto the bus, I whipped out my journal and wrote down what he said, in awe of the mature words that had just come from this ten year olds mouth. My idea on happiness would forever be changed from what Edison had told me, and I knew that I would never forget.
Happiness is a Choice.
I turned my head one last time to get a glimpse of Edison off in the distance, waving goodbye.
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