The Pursuit of Happiness

I think it extraordinary and pretty amazing that something like the "pursuit of happiness" is built into a country's constitution. Of course we all find happiness in our own separate ways. Ted Bundy, the serial rapist and murderer found his happiness in raping and murdering young girls.The Dalai Lama by contrast finds his happiness in other ways. How do you go about your own pursuit of happiness on a daily basis? Life for many of us ain't exactly great and something a bit transient and ephemeral, like happiness, might not end up being high on one's agenda. I collect and crack jokes. I love to make someone laugh out loud. It gives me a real buzz when someone throws their head back and laughs at something I've said. A silly reason of course is that I think I am making someone Happy. Someone who is unhappy, for whatever reason, cannot be made happy by one of my silly jokes.
I would like to think it a positive thing in life to make someone else Happy. By a gesture of kindness. Or by telling them a joke. Net result. The same.
Today Keith and Celia came over in the pouring rain. I took them for pub-grub down the road and it was really lovely on many levels. They loved my garden even though it was soaking wet and they seemed to love some of my latest jokes......BUT....what I found very interesting was when I allowed Celia to go before me through a door that I held open for her. I was just doing my gentlemanly thing and I did it as we entered the pub and again when we left. Celia commented on it as we left and asked Keith why he was not so considerate. He just pushed open the door and walked through. What I found re-assuring here was the way this whole dialogue was handled. Celia being a little miffed at why such a minor courtesy could not be extended towards her
and Keith giving a little post-feminist sermon which was rather amusing. The whole episode ending up being just that! Rather amusing.
This could have gone bad. This could have pointed out to Celia just what an inconsiderate basterd Keith was. Keith could equally have been miffed at Celia calling him an inconsiderate bastard. But what was genuinely lovely was the way the whole episode was handled. The big point I want to make here is that Keith and Celia Love One Another!!! So episodes like this are explored in a loving environment where everyone keeps on seeking the Pursuit of Happiness.