Something Profound This Way Comes

I snagged this excerpt from a chat between my buddy Chris and I last week. Thought it was an interesting midday exchange that sums up my philosophy on life and happiness.

• CC: so how grown up do you feel?
• CC: or more importantly, do you feel any closer to knowing who you are and what your destiny is?
• PJ: not that grown up.
• PJ: god no
• PJ: i'm just trying to enjoy life as much as I can
• PJ: and appreciate the simple things
• PJ: i don't know if I believe in destiny anymore
• CC: I'm not sure the world conspires to help you toward your destiny either
• CC: but...
• CC: I'd hope that I could know myself, and what would make me happy, and to strive for it. Or rather, just go ahead and do it.
• CC: at least after I get this "Scope of Competition report" done :-)
• PJ: lol
• PJ: i've come to the conclusion that deep down I'm not sure if there is anything that can make me profoundly happy all the time.
• PJ: simple things like spending time with friends and family. Going to live music concerts, and sporting events. That makes me happy.
• PJ: having the money to do those things without worrying about paying rent.
• PJ: that makes me happy
• PJ: having a job that I at least partly enjoy and people I work with that are decent and honest.
• PJ: that makes me happy
• PJ: so i'm trying to appreciate each of those for what they are
• PJ: i think that's the only real way to be truly happy as much as possible
• PJ: but that's just my opinion
• PJ: and that's just how I feel now
• CC: you have a very Buddist outlook my friend
• PJ: heh
• CC: enjoy each day for what it is
• PJ: it's simple, but I think it's starting to work for me
• PJ: but to each his own
• PJ: and of course I still think about the bigger picture some time
• PJ: but what if we really weren't put on this earth to serve some purpose?
• PJ: what if we are just here drifting aimlessly?
• PJ: i want my life to be about the people i was with and how I treated the people around me
• PJ: i want to try to be as good and decent of a person as I can
• PJ: and I think if I can do that
• PJ: i'll be satisfied
• CC: satisfaction is a tough thing to find :)
• PJ: indeed