Issue No. 8A simple pathway to joy.

more on aceapolonio.com | May 21, 2023

Hi friend,

I had a conversation with a passionate fellow (who is a quantum physicist) over chicken about the speed of light. The fact that light has a speed means it has to travel over a distance to reach your eyes. It's basic science, but most people don't know this simple fact. It means that the stars you see at night are what they looked like millions of years ago. If you were on a planet surrounding one of those stars and looked at Earth using a powerful telescope, what you would see are dinosaurs because the light coming from Earth right now in 2023 hasn't reached that planet yet. This also means you are seeing the moon 1 second ago, the sun 8 minutes ago, and other planets a few minutes or hours ago. You are seeing everything around you as it existed in the past. If that's not mind-blowing, I don't know what is.What's even crazier is that the universe or space is expanding at a rate approaching the speed of light. This implies that there may come a time in the future, possibly millions of years from now, when Earth will no longer be able to see stars because light will not be able to overcome the expanding space and reach our planet. The future would indeed be dark, quite literally.

Sunday Contemplation

We often associate healthy and successful living with how happy we are with our lives. However, happiness is a multifaceted element that encompasses various factors. Having the most attractive face and body doesn't guarantee fulfillment in other areas of life. Surrounding oneself with fun people doesn't eliminate the possibility of feeling lonely. Being the richest person doesn't ensure genuine relationships free from ulterior motives. Happiness cannot be achieved by relying on a single factor alone; everything must be in its proper place.

Happiness is often linked to external factors like achievements, possessions, or pleasurable experiences. It cannot be attained by simply doing nothing. To better understand happiness, let's examine four concepts commonly associated with a well-lived life: peace, happiness, pleasure, and contentment.

Peace = Inner Calm + Harmony - Disturbance

Happiness = Joy + Satisfaction + Well-being

Pleasure = Gratification + Sensory Delight

Contentment = Satisfaction + Acceptance + Fulfillment

From these equations, we can see the distinct differences between these concepts. It is important to note that happiness consists of joy, satisfaction, and well-being. Let's further analyze the happiness equation.

Joy = Positive experiences + Emotional fulfillmentSatisfaction = Achievement of goals + Meeting expectations

Well-being = Physical health + Financial health + Mental health + Emotional health + Social health

While satisfaction and well-being require significant effort and various forms of fulfillment, joy only necessitates positive experiences and emotional fulfillment which do not require an immense amount of energy. Joy is a deep and intense positive emotion that arises from within, characterized by feelings of delight, elation, and a sense of inner fulfillment. It doesn't require excessive energy to experience joy. A pathway to reach joy is simple: curiosity.

Recall the curiosity we had as children when we observed a shiny, funny-looking toy in a store. Owning the toy brings satisfaction, and playing with it contributes to well-being. However, simply admiring the toy requires only our thoughts. The genuine curiosity we had during those moments brought us joy. The misconception lies in attributing children's happiness solely to their innocence. Being innocent or ignorant of many things doesn't necessarily equate to joy. Children often exude more joy because of their innate and genuine curiosity about the world around them.

So, when you step out into the world, take a fresh look at it with new eyes that are free from judgment or contempt. Be genuinely curious. When you observe a plant, be curious about why it has those colors of flowers. When you encounter other people, be curious about the kind of life they might be living, which remains unknown to you. When faced with seemingly impossible problems, be curious as to why they are so challenging. When you meet someone who appears arrogant and hateful, be curious about the experiences that led them to that state. At the end of this mental exercise, you will discover what philosophers from thousands of years ago have already figured out: detachment from material possessions. You are not defined by the world around you, but by your thoughts about it. There lies a real difference.

When I engage in this exercise every day, I can almost grasp a profound sense of peace. I observe an old lady waiting for a bus and wonder, "Wow, how many children does she have? What wisdom and knowledge has she accumulated over the years that I have yet to discover?" I gaze at the city's skyline from my house's window and marvel at the intricate organization that enables most things to function. We have constructed cars, lights, and buildings. I ponder what our tribal ancestors would think of our accomplishments. When I observe animals and plants, I contemplate, "How does this plant thrive amidst two cement blocks? Life truly finds a way. That dog is adorable. I wonder how soft its fur would feel if I touched it." My thoughts may resemble those of a curious child, but I have discovered that they deepen my connection with the world around me. Rather than being a mere character placed in a game, I become an authentic observer. It is an almost meditative exercise. I encourage you to give it a try sometime.

In your pursuit of happiness, remember to cultivate curiosity, ask questions, and explore the world with a sense of wonder like a child. By doing so, we can open ourselves to moments of joy and deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us and prevent ourselves from being bitter, sad, and broken. The body can grow old, but your mind does not have to.

Quote of the Week

“In your pursuit of happiness, remember to cultivate curiosity, ask questions, and explore the world with a sense of wonder like a child. By doing so, we can open ourselves to moments of joy and deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us and prevent ourselves from being bitter, sad, and broken. The body can grow old, but your mind does not have to.”—Ace ApolonioShare this quote on social media and tag me @aceapolonio.

Mindful Reminder

The pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey that provides us with the motivation to move forward. However, a part of happiness is accessible at any time without requiring much energy, and that is joy. Embrace genuine curiosity about the world as if you are seeing it for the first time, and I assure you that you will perceive things differently every time.

2 Lessons from Others

Albert Einstein, a renowned physicist, on curiosity:

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.”

Jonathan Lockwood Huie, a philosopher and author, on embracing childlike wonder and a beginner's mind:

“Bringing a childlike wonder and a beginner’s mind to life maximizes both success and joy.”

Song of the Week

Curious Creature by Five Mile Town is a song that delves into the complex emotions and experiences of being a curious individual in the world.

The song seems to capture the essence of curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown. It portrays the protagonist as a "curious creature" who is fascinated by the world and eager to venture into new territories. The lyrics may suggest a yearning for discovery, whether it's through travel, personal growth, or intellectual pursuits.

Meme of the Week

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Author of Silent Contemplations

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