Comments on: Tales from the Moluccas #2: Happiness on the Riverbank

By: Theodora

Theodora — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:51:15 +0000

In reply to David. Thanks, David. There are many different ways to be on this planet, and we're lucky to have seen quite a few of them...

By: David

David — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:59:43 +0000

Reading this sketch of Lima I notice how contingent is a personality, a family, a culture. Things could have turned out so wildly different than they have done! Seeing this gives me a big fat feeling of contentment, both ironic and sincere. There are many fewer rules than we thought.

By: Theodora

Theodora — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:37:47 +0000

In reply to Dalene - Hecktic Travels. Thank you! This is one of my favourite pieces and one of the more meaningful experiences of our travels. And thanks for your kind words about Z. He is a great little boy.

By: Dalene - Hecktic Travels

Dalene - Hecktic Travels — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:50:07 +0000

Such an infinitely beautiful piece – and provocative of thought. I’m going to be stewing on this for awhile.

At times I was overjoyed and wishing to be that “content”, but then I can’t imagine living without curiousity. Maybe it would make me happier, actually, to not have to learn everything I could about the world, because that can be awfully stressful sometimes.

Your little boy is incredible, and a true testament to what the power of travel can do for a young mind. Sign me up for some of that telekinesis too! 🙂

By: MummyT

MummyT — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:27:52 +0000

In reply to Kathy.

Thank you for the quote!

I think you’re right on the nature of happiness. I think, often, challenging personal or economic circumstances leave little room to even think about happiness, unhappiness, let alone achieve depression, or angst. They can build community. They can mean that the small pleasures we take for granted are written larger…

Still, would any of us return to that place?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:07:53 +0000

Fascinating topic and observations! The calm affect of the children is particularly interesting, especially in light of our notion in the U.S. that children are “naturally” curious and eager to explore and learn.

To add to the “what is happiness” discussion, I submit Abraham Lincoln’s comment that “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” I think that personal happiness is a mindset that is much deeper than the issue of whether you “like” what you are doing or your circumstances. From my own family history rooted in the coal mines of the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky, I know that many people feel “happy” even when outsiders may think their personal or economic circumstances are bleak or miserable.

By: MummyT

MummyT — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:49:52 +0000

In reply to TheNDM. Thank you, madame. I hope you can feel the battle between liberal instincts and harsh realities. And, yes, he has a crazy mind. He gets it, I believe, from his father. Who, well into his 30s, still spins nonsequiturs like a child. (And, I hope, doesn't read the comments field of my blog...)

By: MummyT

MummyT — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:47:49 +0000

In reply to Jennifer.

I think he has. I haven’t. But I’m getting there… And, at least, telekinesis is one thing I’m not gagging to do…

By: TheNDM

TheNDM — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:40:58 +0000

What a thought-provoking piece. And what a beautiful mind your nine-year-old has…
His Telekinesis response made me laugh out loud because it was so unexpected and wonderful.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:45:07 +0000

I’ve not commented here before, but I really enjoyed this post. In the end, that’s the big question, what is happiness, what is contentment? You and the 9 year old sound like you’ve cracked it. Telekinesis would be pretty handy, though.