I’ve been thinking again. I’ve been pretty unhappy for pretty much all of my life. And I see a similar pattern in the lives of most of the people I know. So I got to thinking and I’ve come up with some ideas that I am certain will help me, and probably they would help anyone else who wanted to give this way of thinking a try.
First, my realizations, which I call “The Four Noble Truths.”
The condition of all existence is suffering.
Suffering is caused by selfishness, desire and craving
Selfishness, desire and craving can be overcome… and then, suffering ends on earth.
The Eightfold Path to overcoming selfishness, desire and craving:
1-3- Wisdom:
- Right Brew
- Right Glass
- Right Pour
4-5- Morality:
- Right Price
- Right Companionship
6-8- Meditation:
- Right Complexity
- Right Ambience
- Right b.a.c.
The end result is, of course, inebriation. I expect two types of results from my anticipated state of protracted inbriation: Positive and negative. Negatively, the eradication of all greed, hatred and egotism from my mind. And positively, the cultivation and development of metta, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity as inherent aspects of my personality. “Metta” is a Pali word and is usually translated into English as “love”, and if we simultaneously think of the words “friendship”, “love” and “kindness”, we will have some understanding of the true meaning of “metta”.
Well, sure, Inigo, you can drink your sorrows away or you could, like an old college friend of mine did in 1989, give up being really, really miserable for Lent. For once, the resolution lasted past Easter. None of us can stand him anymore, of course. He’s been a thoroughly fulfilled, motivated, optimistic member of society/pillar of the community/husband/father of …six now, I think, for seventeen years and his beaming satisfaction is insufferable. It seems to be a brilliant way to irritate people and enjoy it. He even lost religion in the process. So happy, he doesn’t need it anymore, he says. Misery loves company and booze, but pure, honey-gold, oozing contentment doesn’t need anything. I’ve tried it, but only for short periods of time. It’s pretty addictive and I don’t want to lose touch with my surly side. However, if you’re up for a grand experiment, give it a shot.
Sweetie, you know I care for you and wouldn’t hurt you for the world, but I have got to side with QuickSilver.
There is no reason on this earth for you to stay one minute longer. Please. Leave. If you’re doing it for the kids, stop and remind yourself: you are showing them what a “normal” marriage should be. They’ll take their cue from that. Is this the kind of marriage you want to see either of them locked in, miserable for the rest of THEIR lives? Of course not. It isn’t healthy for any of you.
Thank you, it’s mine. From an e-mail I wrote to my boyfriend a month or two back; he said he’d love to have it on a t-shirt, so I decided it was good enough for a sig line. One of my rare great written moments.
As for Brewdhism, I’m picturing Brewdha as a fat, happy, Chinese-style Buddha with a full pint glass in one hand and making a sign of blessing with his other hand (only he’s got it slightly wrong, on account of having had a few too many). He’s wearing a necklace of hops and sitting on a bed of grain.
