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The Seaside Philosophical Chat

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One evening recently, I found myself on a familiar beachside promenade while visiting friends in small coastal city. What actually made this evening special was the unexpected dialogue between two elderly gentlemen, Yiannis and Michalis, who had been friends for decades. I knew them for decades but not too well. So, while passing by them I tried to overheard them. They occupied a weathered bench overlooking the serene sea, sharing stories from the past as it seemed to me, and indulging in a spirited debate.

Yiannis, a twinkle in his eye, mused, 'Michalis, have you ever wondered why we chase happiness, when it's right here in moments like this?'

Michalis, his face etched with wisdom, replied, 'Ah, Yiannis, it's in the chase that we find purpose. Happiness is the quest, not just the destination.'

Their dialogue touched upon life's fundamental questions—happiness, the passage of time, and the meaning of a life well-lived. It was a conversation steeped in philosophy and personal experience, punctuated by laughter and moments of contemplation. 

Have you ever stumbled upon such thought-provoking conversations during your summer evenings? 

What about chasing happiness according to your view? 

Share your experiences and the profound questions that lingered with you below, and let's embrace the wisdom that emerges from these seaside dialogues.


Comments

  1. Bernarda, SloveniaOctober 8, 2023 at 11:53 PM

    It's beautiful how life has these little moments that make us stop and think as we are on our way of chasing happiness. I had one of those moments the other day, and it got me reflecting on my relationships with the people who matter to me and on what matters in life.
    I overheard a chat between an elderly couple, husband and wife, as we were heading towards the entrance of a Mömax furniture store. The wife seemed very excited, telling her husband what she wanted to buy inside. He was nodding along as she talked enthusiastically. But then, as she looked at him, she noticed he was lost in his smartphone, not really paying attention to what she was saying. With sadness in her voice she said, “You're not listening at all, you're on autopilot again!”
    I quickly picked up the few things I needed from the store – I'm not a big fan of shopping either, to be honest and left the store. But those words, "you're on autopilot again," stayed with me long after.
    I could understand why the husband might not be thrilled about shopping, but I could also feel the wife's disappointment in not being able to share something important to her. And it got me thinking about how many times I might have been on autopilot with my family, being present but not really paying attention, having other thoughts on my mind. And about the difference it makes when we listen and hear, even when the topic isn't something we're particularly interested in.
    The moments of presence with the loved ones and the moments of sharing are the moments of happiness, I believe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karmen ŠOctober 9, 2023 at 8:40 PM

    When we share values, beliefs, it is quite easy to talk about it, I think. It gets more challenging when we do not share the same point of view or when we have different experience.

    ReplyDelete
  3. KajaOctober 23, 2023 at 7:08 PM

    True. Imagine discussing politics, covid. To me it seems we only "protect" our own view. I personally find myself persuading others really quickly. And I often get emotional about it. What about others? Can you really stay calm in situations like that?

    ReplyDelete
  4. IoannisOctober 31, 2023 at 5:22 PM

    "Autopiloting" in everyday life does happen. Quite often to a lot of us. It is true, even sometimes we would like to deny it. The point here is to fight it and manage to get over it as much as possible. Listening actively to the person in conversation apart from being polite to the person, it gives the opprtunity to understand it, to feel it and to move further or else there is a stagnation..
    Dialogue is about sharing.
    And sharing results to happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MillaNovember 6, 2023 at 10:42 AM

    I think happiness hides in small, passing moments. It comes up in encounters with friends and family, when we can feel that we are really seen and heard and feel valued.

    ReplyDelete

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