Coalescence
When random ideas converge into a complete whole.
I’ve become accustomed to the way my brain works. It tends to collect bits and bobs of seemingly random and incongruous information for what, at the time, feels like no good reason at all. All that flotsam and jetsam floats around like individual particles in space - minding their own business. Inevitably these particles bump into and latch onto each other amassing to take on a gravity all of their own and then suddenly BANG a larger, more fully realized idea forms. It’s as if a complete solar system miraculously assembles out of the clutter.
That’s how my brain functions. I’ve learned to live with it.
My Circus : My Monkeys (and the Happiness Guy that proceeded it) has always been a way for me to throw all of my ideas into the tumbler that is my brain. They were never meant to be in any particular order. I just wanted to collect them all, let them bump into each other, and let my brain do its thing.
After writing about happiness for 2.5 years, I have found that happiness, as I define it, isn’t any one thing. It is a collection of a bunch of things. They never seemed to have any real connection other than being “waypoints” to something greater. If you did any of them or all of them, you’d get closer to whatever it is that happiness means for yourself1, but it hasn’t been a linear path (do A, then do B). It’s been a gymnastics routine.
THE COALESCENCE
Recently my brain did what my brain tends to do and a pattern has slapped together to coalesce into a unique solar system from the randomness. It is shaped into something that ties all of these assorted concepts together to build a clearer path to happiness (I think). I wasn’t expecting it (I never am). I am really excited by it (I always am).
I am giving you fair warning now that this newsletter is probably going to become less rhythmic and more sporadic as I take the time to polish this fancy new solar system of mine. Not that I don’t have things to say. I’m sure random comets will come jettisoning off whatever it is I am working on. Matter of fact, I can guarantee it. For the time being, though, I need to give myself some space to put all of these concepts - these “planets2” - in the right order.
You, my dear monkey, will be a part of this. You have always been a part of this. Having you in my head, writing to you, has helped me clarify my thoughts. In a very real way you are a part of the solar system. You are stardust, as it were. When the time comes to share it, you will be the first to see it. I am thrilled to know what you think.
I hope you will like what you helped create.
FURTHER READING
Diamonds & Dirt: How To Win The Game Of Happiness
Have you heard of The Game? You’re playing it right now and you don’t even know it. The rules of the Game are simple:
There Is What You Think You Know And What You Know You Know. Know The Difference.
There is fact. There is opinion. These two things are very different (that’s a fact) and need to be considered separately (that’s an opinion). Lately these two things have been getting confounded, conflated, and confused (or another word starting with “con” that means mistaking one thing for another).
Plan For The Plan To Not Go As Planned
You have a plan. That’s great! And now you are ready to put that plan in motion: kick some ass, take some names. But (and this is a big but) be prepared for your plan not to go as planned. That is a guarantee.
The Reaction Paradox
You cannot control what happens to you, only your reaction to it. We all have heard that philosophy spouted in one form or another. It has been said, variously, by stoics, philosophers, the Dalai Lama, and your mother (probably).
I highly recommend you do ALL of them.
I was going to prattle off a bunch of astronomical analogies about “orbits” and “gas giants” but thought better of it.