In our world
the world of no bombs
the world of no famine
the world of micromanagement
and individualistic achievement
The world of first world problems
as bad as any other
one big trap
one big trick
longing
missing
restricting ourselves
because nobody else will
The hidden curriculum
teaches us to obey
it civilises us into minions
amongst other useful things
as we are not alone
much to our shock and surprise
It does not teach us how to handle
happiness
or any emotion
or aspect of the human condition
in fact
It’s always about
what’s next?
How to become
better
richer
thinner
more successful
I have come to speculate that
if everyone was happy
people would be hard to control
and manipulate
people would not be cruel
just ignorant
people would instinctively know
what to hold on to and
what to let go of
people would know
how much they can give and
how much they can take
But then again
it’s never that simple
I know I can’t make everyone happy
in fact I probably make
very few people happy
but I can keep myself happy
healthy
and resourceful
Because I realise now that
life isn’t just about surviving
it’s about building
I recently dug my hole
now I am laying the foundations
soon there shall be a first floor
but I am in no hurry
the joy is in the detail
journey
milestones
no destination