"Happiness"
“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be”
Abraham Lincoln
Like many artists I find my inspiration by being an innocent bystander of Life. To a degree our works are the responsive voice of our observations of life. For many artists, our artistic expressions are the voice of our emotions that also bring us happiness. We all seek happiness, though it may prove to be an elusive and daunting task if one is unable to define happiness internally and truthfully within themselves. Our Declaration of Independence states “ we have certain unalienable Rights” one of which is the pursuit of happiness. Our founding fathers never intended the Declaration of Independence to be a guarantee for happiness, but rather to create an external and physical environment where happiness can be freely pursued by all. Happiness is an intangible reality to be found within our souls- to be achieved by interior reflections influenced by the external forces that surround us. The ancient philosophers believed eudaimonia (happiness) can be achieved primarily through practical wisdom, or virtue, which renders a harmony within oneself, with others, and with nature as a whole.
In my recent Book Demitasse Divorce, learn more, the theme of the book is the pursuit of happiness as seen through the eyes of the antagonist and master svengali, Anais, as she attempts to find “ happiness” in the form of sensual and erotic pleasures at all costs before Father Time catches up with her. She ultimately finds herself unable to solve her sexual enigma that places her emotions and needs in conflict with marital laws. The book is an erotic and existential psychotherapy that gives credence to the Stoic theory that it is impossible to find true happiness while experiencing emotional distress. I will let you be the judge of her actions, and look forward to your comments.
I will now direct you to a song I wrote about the “fictional” Anais, click here performed by the multitalented Demitasse Band featuring Drew Caico- musical director and lead guitar, Eric Scholz lead guitar, and Thomas Lloyd vocals, and Susan Bond’s chapter reading from my book Demitasse Divorce click here.
Existentially,
Rich
Existentially,
Rich
