Unexpected Sparks

"Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought; our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks." - Samuel Johnson

Whenever we think of pleasure, or joy or happiness, we often associate it with things we worked hard for, or things we seek for ourselves. We often believe that there is no greater satisfaction than in being in a place we've been working so hard to get to, or in winning the rat race, against so many competitions. Yes, it's true, there is true pleasure and happiness we gain from these things. How can you not be happy when you are supposed to be happy? These are the things you want, right? And you're expecting that there is a big smiley face at the end of this rough road, so of course you're happy when you reached that destination. But sometimes, the happiness is not that great because the journey has taken such a toll on you that you just feel so tired to be so happy. Sometimes, in your quest for happiness you forget the simple pleasures you get in your journey.

I agree with Johnson, that our 'brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.' Mine usually is.

I'll have to dedicate another story for my life's simple pleasures, but this one are my life's pleasant surprises: The surprise birthday party that you didn't really expect from family and friends. The card from that someone you've been crushing on for a long time but thinks he doesn't know you exist. The text message that says he missed you and he remembered your college days. The email that you're hoping to get, but not really expecting to, made your whole week. A startling smile from a gorgeous driver during a stop sign at an intersection in Makati. A sudden laughter from your audience when you made a joke and you're afraid it'll fall flat on your ears. Notes that say 'you brighten my day' and 'you're cute' when you're expecting to get some boring notes that says 'you're a good classmate'. A pat-in-the-back when you think you did a bad job.

A sincere compliment that came out of the blue from a classmate you've been bickering forever with, and there you are now wondering why you put up with him. That compliment probably started your eight-year friendship.

A hug, even when you're happy and you don't really need one. An 'I love you' from your parents, forgiving and full of love, at the time when even you wouldn't want to have a child like yourself. When you got a birthday song over a phone sang in a hoarse voice that is like a gift in itself. An animated conversation with an artist, who is not really that good at talking, which lasted for eight hours when you think the night will be like any other boring night.
And just the other night, I was thinking that my day couldn't get any more uneventful and boring. Just between you and me, I hate feeling bored. I think boredom is a state of mind, and you just need to change your attitude or outlook in life. So I really hate the day and myself at the same time that night. Just before midnight, while watching TV and waiting for myself to doze off, I got a text message from an old friend, saying something corny, funny and cute. It was such an unexpected little surprise that gave my heart a lift and saved the day. I slept with a big smile on my face.

I can list a thousand things that bring me happiness and joy and pleasure during the most unforeseen time and place. It only tells me that although we can work our way to happiness, and we can seek pleasure in gaining material things, we should learn to appreciate the surprises of life. We should also take notice of the little things, the seemingly non-consequential things that happen in our lives, those sudden bursts of happiness, those are the memories you can keep forever.

We should always be ready to be surprised and be amazed, for we never know when life will suddenly give us the unexpected gift of happiness. And let me tell you, if you open yourself up and be aware of these things, I promise you that life will always surprise you.

Life always does.

*wrote this last year...feb 9 2004 to be exact...just want to post it here.