Thursday, July 8, 2010

Happiness

This morning I listened to this podcast of This American Life called Held Hostage. I am loving the show more and more, but was particularly fascinated by the Third Act (starts at about 47:40) of this one, about a man who is essentially paralyzed by feelings of joy, excitement and love. (You'll have to listen to it to completely understand).

The reporter, however, highlights an incredibly important truth. The man tries to cope by avoiding feelings of joy and happiness, but he finds it completely impossible. Happiness always appears. I think we all find ourselves in situations where we feel that there is absolutely nothing that could possibly make us happy, but to realize that this individual - in the exact opposite position of wishing he could avoid happiness at whatever cost - finds himself unable to avoid things that make him happy. Perhaps if we all had something as dramatic as paralysis to mark every positive moment, we would realize how happy we really are...

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Poetry

Today a new Poet Laureate was named. A wonderful guy named W.S. Merwin who writes some pretty fantastic poetry. Its times like this when I remember how much I love poems, their strong imagery and metaphors and succinct ideas. This is a new favorite poet of mine, I wish I could read more of his poems, but alas, being living - and just being named Poet Laureate - means that its a bit more difficult to get free copies of his poems. I'll have to break down and buy a book someday soon.

To whet your palate, here are two great ones, one from NPR's story, and another that you'll have to link to from Poets.org.

Separation

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with color.