Experienced

Last night I watched a TV show and the whole focus of the episode was the concept that all we have are our thoughts and experiences. It is a really interesting viewpoint that seems to resonate with me. I think it's really easy to get caught up in personal possessions and having nice things around. In fact I think that it's really easy to believe that I am happy because of some of my niceties. I assign value based on monetary value rather than true worth. However, I don't think that having all the the "stuff" in the world can create happiness in someone. If this were the case then there would be no people living in poverty that were happy and no rich people who were unhappy. (Ironically it would seem that the poor people are happy more often and the rich less so) Instead I think that happiness is born of our experiences of the world. 

Experiences are something that we take with us almost regardless of what happens to us. I have a wealth of happy memories that I can call upon and smile with. I treasure these. Sometimes I want there to be something more substantial to them, but having the memory should be and usually is enough. This is why I think that getting distracted on trips with taking a picture or buying a souvenir becomes almost counter productive. I suppose that people want the picture to spark a memory but this just seems odd to me. I don't remember my trip to the Butchart Gardens with my mom because of a picture I have. I do remember, vividly, standing with her and looking at the dancing fountains. I remember her holding my hand and getting a child-like smile as she recalled growing up and loving to watch the dancing fountains as a little girl with her father. And she lived her experience and passed it on to me all in one graceful motion. I smile and am embraced by the memory... the experience. 

Maybe I should be tapping into these past experiences more often and taking from them the small joys they have to offer. Perhaps I should realize the wealth I have in all of the smiles I've experienced with my friends and all the support I've received from them over the years. Cherish the memories and remember that these are a true wealth. With that in mind, I need to also make sure that I eat up life and all of the possible experiences that I'm offered. You only get one chance (unless you believe in a second go around) so it's best not to let things pass you by. 

I wonder what experience life will provide me with next.