Trying to blog while facing the "two" problem. Its interesting sia. Whatever. Felt a bit bored, and with nothing but homework and projects to do, thought I would play an old old game from before... too bad Christabel hardly keep in contact with me anymore, else she should recall sia. Short (or long, depending on how you look at it) essay based on quote. Dun ask me why. It was something I just did, and boy, did it do wonders for my compo skills...

So today's contribution, courtesy of Sherilyne my classmate (who seems to have nothing much to do save friendster when she doesnt have friendster account... :P) "Happiness is a journey, not a destination". Btw, Sherilyne, you missed out a "s" when you typed. Lol. Ok, enough teasing.

Is happiness a journey or destination? I wonder. I derive immense fun from the process, but ever has it been the goal which drives me forward and gives me satisfaction at the end of the day. However, I did once thought about it this way... If I was given the objective without having to go through anything, would I feel satisfied, driven, or have any fun? Probably not. So was the satisfaction from the culmination of the process, or was it the end unto itself? Has it to do with my level of want or need? Probably. You know, whenever I do this essay thing, I always wind up with "it depends". Wahaha. Probably for good reason. Staying politically correct. Oh well.


Lets look at happiness as a journey. I think many people would agree that the process itself is usually as important as the result, especially if it is something you want to do. (If its something you hate, then it probably goes against the entire topic in the first place, so it shouldn't even be mentioned) One thing I have noticed, is that while happiness can be relative to oneself, more often, it has to do with the quality of your relationships with the people around you. And if I am correct on that, then the process itself is definitely where happiness lies. Lets take playing soccer as an example. Why play soccer? In soccer, the goal is to outscore the opposition in goals within a limited timeframe. If I were to stand down there, do nothing, and the ball shoots itself at the opposition for the win, I would probably be dead bored. The thrill of playing soccer is what keeps me going for it. Yet, soccer is a team game as well. If my team mates are not having fun, and I do not build up any relationship with them, it makes the game dull. You ever noticed how cohesive teams can smash teams with more talented players apart? When people find joy in the process, it's a magical feeling.

How about happiness as a destination? I won't deny I once ascribed to this. I linked pleasure to achieving my goals, pain to failure to achieve them. When you have experienced the joy of overcoming the odds, the satisfaction of a perfect ending to a long and tiring journey, that is a form of happiness as well. In fact, it can make you so intoxicated when you experience it, you may try to keep setting and going for even more goals. One thing about this is that there is generally a lack of colour in life. I myself have begun to appreciate the finer things and moments in life, and revel in them. If we are entirely fixated on our goals, it is sometimes easy to miss out these small but memorable and vivid things in our lives. So would you prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, enjoying the process and people as it goes, or would you prefer to experience euphoria in a blinding flash all at one go?

That would bring us to differences in personalities. More specifically, the difference in personality that would relate most to this topic would be goal-oriented VS people-oriented. People who are utterly goal-driven can hardly derive any satisfaction other than for attaining their goals. On the other hand, people who are more people-oriented may choose to relax a bit more, enjoying each moment as it passes by. Is there a route which is the best? Once again, it depends... on you!

So is success a journey or a destination? That is entirely up to you. Is a mix of both possible? I certainly hope so, for that is what I am doing my best to attain. My natural tendency would be to let it be a destination, but the process itself does play a huge role towards the end product, its hard to tell what would happen otherwise. So I end it once again with my familiar friend "It depends". :D


Ok, done with that section. I've started on goal no.10, and I'm working my way upwards. How I wish there was another two weeks of holidays left. Then again, if I was given two more weeks, how much longer would I have wallowed in what I did? No idea. Maybe the same amount of time, possibly longer. Oh well, now's not the time for maybes. I am done with crippling myself. Yes, I may still be affected, and it still scares me as much as ever, since I know I will definitely lose should... forget it. But lets hope that doesnt come to pass, and let the personal power of josh shine through... ALL THE WAY!! Give me more time, and I promise I will become who I was before, possibly beyond even that... since there has been so much I have forgotten!!!

Remembering what life is.....
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