One of my favorite movies growing up was Unsinkable Molly Brown, and one scene in particular has always stood out to me. It's early on in the story, before she marries J.J., before they strike it rich. He's teaching her to read under a tree. He loves her, but she has other plans. He wants to marry her and live together in his cabin in the woods. She has a thousand dreams, dreams that seem more important to her than anything. She's going to do more, be more, go more places. She's moving forward, she's getting closer. And he reaches over to take her hand and sincerely asks her, "Why won't you settle for happiness?"
Why indeed? Though no one is offering to marry me and live in a cabin in the woods, the question remains. Why won't we settle for happiness? Why do we feel obligated to push forward, push away, do harder things, and strive for absolute perfection. Why can't we feel content to say "good enough," live life happily, be good people, and remember to sweep off our front porches without climbing mountains and career ladders and digging through years of searching for that dream life.
Why won't we settle for happiness?
Why indeed? Though no one is offering to marry me and live in a cabin in the woods, the question remains. Why won't we settle for happiness? Why do we feel obligated to push forward, push away, do harder things, and strive for absolute perfection. Why can't we feel content to say "good enough," live life happily, be good people, and remember to sweep off our front porches without climbing mountains and career ladders and digging through years of searching for that dream life.
2 comments:
Because we're AMERICAN.
Seriously, this is practically our defining national characteristic. It's both endearing and sad.
Pie day will totally be honored in our house!
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