Tell me your story.

Yesterday, I watched the late Dr. Randy Pausch's last lecture and felt motivated enough to take on the world. Today was the first day of spring term and just like Disney magic, the warm fuzzies are gone and I'm faced with the not-so-nice reality of my choices. I often wonder if there is a way to remain continually happy (or at least satisfied) with one's life. Sure, things are not terrible compared to the millions of other people out there who experience real and extreme poverty, or those who're living in a war zone with the constant threat of a bright white light that marks the end of their existence, or others who have been victimized in some horrifying way and are still trying to recover. Aren't at least some of these people happy? Shouldn't I be too?

Abby's distant aunt almost convinced me, while we were talking about climate change, that if only people understood the full horror of what would ensue, they would naturally act in a more environmentally responsible way. I say almost because I've tried to consider this in the light of how I feel. What will it take for me to value life the way I think it should be valued? What is that line that I must cross? Will it take being at ground zero of a disaster, actually smelling the stench of death, rounding up corpses, and searching for survivors? Will the stories of a first hand survivor and the tears that follow be enough? I know just "second-hand" stories on the news or in books are not enough; I do sincerely empathize with them, and profoundly wish such things would never happen to another human being—or any living being in fact. Will it take a near-death experience and for me to watch my mediocre life flash before my eyes? Will it happen in some magic moment, some sudden eureka connection that has been lying dormant in my brain? Or is it acceptable to never be happy with your life, always wondering where the other forks in the road would have led, or if the things you are giving up are worth the things you have gained?

I've also recently been reminded recently, from the lecture and other things, that the currency of human exchange is not money, but stories. Every idea, meme, belief, experience, or whatever entity you choose to pick, is really only meaningful in the context of some story. The best stories are real, relevant, unique, and personal, though stories can still be powerful even if they aren't. So here's the plan. Why not you tell me your story? Any story that makes you happy, that makes you feel a long term satisfaction with your life, that isn't eroded by the happenings of the day...

And I'll tell you some of mine. (: