Don't Worry, Be Happy - Harvard Study on How

The title sentiment is simplistic but you can see the opposite of that in a study led by Harvard University and the results of which recently became available.

In 1938 Harvard University began following 268 male undergraduate students and kicked off the longest-running longitudinal studies of human development in history.  (Feelguide: 75 Years In The Making: Harvard Just Released Its Epic Study On What Men Need To Live A Happy Life)

One obvious conclusion is they discovered excessive alcohol, particularly in combination with cigarettes, is death to satisfaction with life, love, and definitely health.

The general conclusion is people are happiest and most fulfilled through warm, contented relationships with others.

But we just have to fuckin' argue with that because arguing makes us happy ... (cough).

Arguing doesn't make us happy but we have consulted with the Stoner Oracle of Central Texas and she said,

DUMB ASS!  HAPPINESS IS ABSENCE OF THINGS WHICH PISS YOU OFF!

The Stoner Oracle of Central Texas doesn't waste any time on riddles, mysticism, or prophesies too weird to understand.  She tells it straight and if you don't get it then fuck ya, Yankee.

There is no intention to denigrate relationships and love.  Stoners love ... love.  We love romance and getting stupid giddy when you're crazy about someone.  We love that stuff ... but it ain't happiness.

Moreover, if you are unhappy then you won't find someone anyway.  If you're looking for a good woman and she's looking for a good man, neither of you will even see each other if you're walking around all bummed about things.

So we're not seeing it's necessary to use a lot of words to say you won't find love if you're not happy already ... so ... the happy which comes from love is something beyond and we don't mean to argue that because stoners love it maybe more than anyone.

For the best music, it's likely better if you don't have a woman because you can't give both as much attention as you want to give.  That's not fair to the woman because it's a contest she can't win.  For my own happiness and for those around me, I know it's true that it's better if I live alone because no-one gets hurt and I don't feel I am failing to give the Galaxy Guitar what she needs.

Note:  I am not Jackson Pollock and I won't hit you but I'm one neglectful bitch ... except for the music.

Maybe this seems like hairsplitting and I hope it does not because it's a lifetime dilemma for musicians and artists in many formats.

There is no argument with the Harvard study nor the conclusions drawn from it and I'm sure you will find some insightful observations in it, things which you may not have realized about yourself.  This is specifically not eat-your-own-tail introspection but rather a studied discussion of what makes people work rather than specifically what makes you work.

So ... 

It's the artist's lot

to have a lonely soul.

No matter what you find,

it just makes a bigger hole.

Try as you might,

it's not a thing to fill

but rather you must find a way

to give it what you will.

Maybe that sounds like addiction to you ... and maybe it is but it's also the agony and the ecstasy ... which is also addiction (larfs).

My biggest regret is failing to understand I should not be married and the pain I caused as a result of it is unforgivable.  It's not important for you to know the details except insofar as I do not forget but don't assume I was some abusing horror, rather I was the Mad Scientist in my garage lab of music and computers.  I still am.

Note:  I probably judge myself harder than the Mystery Lady would ... but that's how she is.

Here's another note:  living alone does not mean with no-one else in the house but rather I'm not fucking anyone.  I loathe insulting euphemisms like 'sleeping together' so nothing here changes what I've said before ...

MYSTERY LADY, YOU HAVE AN OPEN INVITATION TO BAIL TO THE ROCKHOUSE!

I'm sorry if I was short last time and I don't think I was but I might have been.  That was only because I was sooooo hungry and just got back here with something to eat.  If I was short, it meant nothing more than that.  It would be total sunshine if you were here.

There's a lot of that anyway because it's in the mid- to high-eighties each day but humidity is low and it's gorgeous.  Fort Worth isn't but life is.  This is the safest safe house I know and you are welcome any time you should show up on the doorstep.  Yevette would dig it to see her friend again and have some company and I would really dig seeing one of my best friends in the world.

So ... why did you read all the way through this article ...

how about this ... you can seize the day but caress the life.

Sorry but I do not know who she is and I do not know who shot the picture.

So, you be careful with your promises, young musico.  She's tough but she's delicate and you have some decisions to make before you make any kind of promises.

Yah, the Mystery Lady could stop a clock too.  Believe it.

Love is infinitely complex and beautiful but happiness is a simple thing.  Understand that and go forth to make your music, young grasshopper.