The Secret to Happiness Everyone Knows

By George R. Blow

Three years of essays and quotes summarize a lifetime's worth of wisdom from the author of "Peace is Practical", George R. Blow, whose blogging career began in "The Paris of South America" Buenos Aires, AR. Having made inner contentment his number one priority in the years following Hurricane Katrina, Blow found himself on an adventure in travel, writing and public speaking that continues to this day. This book is an expression of a life fulfilled, and provides entertaining, real-life examples of the wisdom we all once practiced, but tend to ignore in our fast-paced, modern world. Whether it's through the themes of recreation, romance, finances, family, travel or just living day-to-day, the author brings the beautiful reality of human existence back to his reader, and inspires them to look within for their peace, joy and satisfaction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George R. Blow
• Release date: Sep 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301382606

George R. Blow

As an award-winning TV producer/director residing in New Orleans, Blow witnessed first hand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Deeply affected by the untimely deaths of several close friends and family members in the years following the storm, he determined to change course and pursue a more meaningful path in his life. Long a student of the inner journey, George found that making contentment his number one priority did not land him in a monastery or on top of a lonely mountain, but on the contrary made him much more productive and prosperous. He now speaks on the importance and practicality of an experience of unconditional peace."An experience of peace is the most practical thing there is. It helps you eliminate waste, perform at your peak and usher worldly prosperity into your life. More than that, it fulfills every human being's fundamental desire to enjoy and appreciate this life as a gift." GRB

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The Secret to Happiness Everyone Knows

By George R. Blow

All rights reserved. Published by George R. Blow at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 George R. Blow

Discover other titles by George R. Blow at Smashwords.com:

Peace is Practical [How the Inner Journey Can Transform the Outer] -

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29746

Everybody Dies [The Movie] -

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/213714

The Hidden Spring [A Short Story About a Long Life]

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/215099

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission from the author.

Interior layout and cover design: George R. Blow

Dedicated to:

Life-itself, the perfect master, and all those who were kind enough to share their experience with me

My mother and father, whose support has been inestimable

Kathy, Walter, Wilfred and all the people who have freely donated their time, energy and resources to help me spread this message

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE – The Practicality of Peace in a World of Constant Change

Chapter One - On the Way to BA

Chapter Two - The Beggar and the King

Chapter Three - The Answer to All Your Problems

Chapter Four - Water Carriers, Ferrymen, and the Gravity of a Picnic Basket

PART TWO – The Metaphor Series: What it’s Like

Chapter Five - Today in BA1 First Impressions

Chapter Six - A Springtime Metaphor

Chapter Seven - Finger Pointing

Chapter Eight - The Bike Metaphor

Chapter Nine - The Ship Metaphor

Chapter Ten - The Space Alien Metaphor

PART THREE – Work, School, Money

Chapter Eleven - Today in BA2 Piggy Flu and the Pope

Chapter Twelve - Dealing With Dilbertland

Chapter Thirteen - The Perpetual Three-Day Weekend

Chapter Fourteen - Today is the Day

Chapter Fifteen - Sucker

PART FOUR – Life is a Teacher

Chapter Sixteen - Today in BA6 Even Atheists believe in Murphy

Chapter Seventeen - Why Murphy?

Chapter Eighteen - Fear, Flying and Festing

PART FIVE – Holidays: the Art of Celebrating Life-itself

Chapter Nineteen - Today in BA11 Krafting a Solution

Chapter Twenty - New Year, New Month, New Day, New Moment

Chapter Twenty-One - The Do Compulsion

Chapter Twenty-Two - It’s Already Happening

Chapter Twenty-Three - Festival of Life

PART SIX – Authority: the Power of Experience

Chapter Twenty-Four - Today in BA12 El Corazon

Chapter Twenty-Five - What Authority

Chapter Twenty-Six - From Swabby to Commander

PART SEVEN – Maya: Freedom from the World of Illusion

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Today in BA13 Wrapping it up

Chapter Twenty-Eight - The Production of Illusion

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Me Mine You Yours

Chapter Thirty - From Obstacles to Facilitators

Chapter Thirty-One - Continuous Victory

PART EIGHT – Socio-Political: Untangling the Mess

Chapter Thirty-Two - Today in VA1 Postcards

Chapter Thirty-Three - Tragicomedies

Chapter Thirty-Four - Polly Wanna Peace?

Chapter Thirty-Five - One Good Problem

Chapter Thirty-Six - The Inside-Out Manifesto on the Problems of Pollution, Over-population, and War

PART NINE – How To Do It: the Secret to Happiness Everyone Knows

Chapter Thirty-Seven - Today in NO2 Double-reverse Culture Shock

Chapter Thirty-Eight - The Beach Within

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Breaking the Fast

Chapter Forty - The Human Light Bulb

Chapter Forty-One - The Secret to Happiness Everyone Knows

Introduction

I confess I am a terrible salesman. When it comes to the subject of joy, peace and contentment, my desire to share my experience and the understanding it brings always overwhelms my marketing savvy.

Having said that, I did get my start in television working in the creative services department of a local news station, so it’s not like I don’t have a clue as to the standard formulas. In fact, on top of writing and producing various types of promotions for quite a few years, I have even taken classes in the science of selling.

So I have a very good idea exactly which rules I’m breaking.

Rule number one, of course, is not to give it all away right at the start. Advertising is all about allurement: the art of the tease. Secondly, because the key to subliminal persuasion is ambiguous implication, you never say exactly what you mean, but rather leave ample room for hopeful misinterpretation [and this way you don’t get sued]. Employing the knowledge that everyone is looking for something and most people don’t have a clue what that is, you give them the clues - which, of course, imply that your product is IT. In other words, as they say in the business, You don’t sell them the steak - you sell them the sizzle!

Finally, always keep them wanting more. Never wrap up the entire package in one neat bundle, but leave a few pieces missing - like a soap opera script. Then you tease what is to come.

And so the world continues to turn.

And so I could very well tease you, dear reader, with the promise of the secret to happiness and the answer to all your problems. I could carefully construct this book to lead you to a grand finale, which wouldn’t quite answer all your questions and thereby lure you into buying my next book.

And this is what I would most assuredly do if I was trying to sell you on something: if I was peddling a new lifestyle or set of beliefs, for example- some variation on the age-old themes.

But this is not my aim.

Yes, it is true that I am making this work available for sale [and could always use the money from it] but the intent behind everything I write at this stage of my life is simply to express a happiness which has transformed my existence from the inside out. These days that’s all I really want to do - experience and express that most amazingly beautiful feeling.

I must say it came as a total surprise to me, but somehow in the years following Hurricane Katrina this compulsion to express has become my job: a happy responsibility I now know inevitably accompanies the fulfillment of one’s innate desire to enjoy unlimited, and unconditional, joy, peace, and contentment. Significantly, this holds true regardless of a person’s station or vocation in life. The satisfaction of that internal need always evokes a gratitude that inspires a human being to help others feel the same. Thankfully, one of the most beautiful aspects of this process is that sharing what you have gathered brings you more of what you love.

And this is why I do what I do. Bringing you joy brings me even more, and I am unabashedly greedy for the stuff. It’s extremely selfish, I admit, but in a good way. Everybody wins when the words come from the heart.

And so, without further ado, and against every sensible marketing principle I know, I am going to lay the summary on you first. Then at least I know that I have done my job. You, the reader, have been reminded of the fundamental realities of your own existence: those precious things that are so simple, subtle and unobtrusive that they tend to fade into the background of any and every human being’s life.

Here then, are the secrets to happiness everyone already knows [but most likely has forgotten] presented in a short format entitled, Recognition and Remembrance.

Are you ready?

Recognition and Remembrance

RECOGNIZE

1. There is a difference between life-itself and all the things happening in it.

2. There is a difference between all the identities you have picked up along the way and your own unfolding existence.

3. There is a difference between all the worldly wishes you have acquired and your core desire to enjoy this life. The former are conceptual, imaginary - they change and come and go. The latter is a feeling as basic as hunger or thirst. Its nature is ageless and unchangeable, and it stays with you from your first breath to your last.

REMEMBER

1. Before you had any words or concepts, you couldn’t help but feel your desire to be happy. It was a drive as big and obvious as the sky. And precisely because you felt, rather than thought about it, you regularly went from the state of wanting to enjoy, to enjoying - regardless of the circumstances that confronted you in a day.

2. All living things come and go, but life-itself goes on. For a limited period of time that ageless, infinite, indestructible and perfectly beautiful force manifests in you as breath, consciousness, the ability to feel and the desire to feel good inside as well as out. It is what makes you, you.

3. Everyday put on the glasses of thirst - feel that inexpressible, living longing to enjoy this life - and you will begin to perceive and receive the pleasure, beauty and importance of your own unfolding existence.

That’s it folks.

That’s all you need to know neatly wrapped up in a waltz of simple steps. One, two, three...one, two, three...and around and around we go in the exact opposite of a vicious circle. This process is actually the flip side of all worldly catch 22’s: a sweet cycle that takes you to a place of infinite pleasure, joy and meaning. And as a side benefit, this best of all possible experiences, this fulfillment of your heart’s fondest wish, also bestows upon you the clarity of vision, self-knowledge and internal fortitude you need to thrive in this crazy, up-and-down world.

But it comes with a price, and it’s not the sales tag on this book.

The price is your conscious attention and your commitment to identifying, isolating and feeling your own need to be happy. You, and nobody else but you, will have to repeatedly recognize and remember your innate desire for fulfillment. Additionally, the journey inward will require you to let go of many of your learned concepts, as well as your attachment to all the things in your life that bring you pain and suffering, including: lust/envy, anger, attachment, greed, ego, fear and loathing.

Now, you would think that would be easy, considering their nasty natures, but these happiness blockers do provide us with something we unconsciously savor - drama. And that drama serves to fill the vacuum left by the absence of real, lasting joy, peace and contentment. It also provides a person with exhilarating, but temporary highs, followed by depressing, but temporary lows, and most of all, the promise that someday your dreams will come true.

The problem is, of course, that this promise is a lie.

It is a lie because your dreams have already come true, and continue to come true moment to moment - but you don’t realize it. It is also a lie because it implies that what you are looking for is outside in the affairs of this world.

And this is where every sage in our species’ history, regardless of epoch or location, has come along and pointed out that what you are looking for is within you.

For me, that’s a very interesting statement, because it first assumes that you are looking for something - i.e., that there is an innate drive for betterment and completion within each and every human being - and then concludes that because the drive comes from within, whatever implanted it in you is the only thing that can fulfill it. And THAT is whatever you want to call the powerful force that gets you moving and keeps you in one piece twenty four hours a day.

A very logical deduction and quite obvious, if you think about it.

Life-itself gives you the thirst for more life, which manifests as the desire to be happy and well - to feel good inside and out. So just feel your thirst and it will quench itself in the unfolding fundamentals of your very own existence. Then you get to watch, learn and enjoy how it all happens.

And that’s the entire inner journey in a tiny nutshell.

Simple, no? Too simple, I’m afraid, for most of us sophisticated, 21st century adults.

Ok folks, now that you’ve been reminded of the secret to happiness you already knew, let me give you a general idea of how this book is constructed and how it came into existence. I’ll make it brief.

Since I was a small child, I have been fascinated by two main aspects of what is commonly referred to as, the inner journey. The first was [and is] the possibility of a happiness that is not the result of something happening on the outside. The second is the relationship between what’s going on inside and the results that are generated on the outside.

Over the years, I have profited immeasurably by the universal internal law, whenever the student is ready, the master will appear. This maxim simultaneously recognizes that life-itself is a teacher [i.e. that this world is the perfect mirror to your inner condition and therefore you can learn from your circumstances], and that every person who has fulfilled their need for real, lasting happiness longs to share the understanding it brings. In both of these ways, I have been blessed to learn from the best.

But, with the exception of certain periods of intense commitment and passion that flared and receded, I never really gave the art of looking within its due.

And then Miss Katrina did her dance on The Big Easy.

I was working as a TV producer/director and programming coordinator for a major communications corporation at the time, and the hurricane hit us, and everyone else in the area, very, very hard. So much so, that for long-term New Orleans residents there is pre and post Katrina history. The event is a dividing line in all their lives. And for many people, the years immediately following the storm were even more dramatic than the geological impact. They certainly were in my case. Without getting maudlin about it, I will simply say that several people close to me passed away well before their time. Of course, we all know that no one is guaranteed another breath, much less another day, but this is one of life’s laws that we tend to forget, or try to deny.

In any event, all these events served to re-awaken me to the preciousness of each moment, and I subsequently made up my mind to put feeling what I now call unconditional joy, peace and contentment at the top of my to-do list everyday - regardless of the consequences.

Somewhat to my surprise, they were all good. I immediately became a more focused, pleasant and productive employee, and over the next few years was privileged to receive a substantial raise, along with several significant year-end bonuses.

But most importantly, I found that my experiences of peace [or whatever you want to call that exquisite enjoyment of existence] gave me a clarity of vision I had been lacking. I finally had a grasp of the big picture in my life, and soon realized that I wasn’t in the right place for me.

Yes, the salaried position had its perks. In fact, most people looking from the outside would probably think it was a great job. But for me it became a personalized version of Dilbertland. If you haven’t read the famous Dilbert cartoon, I recommend you check it out in your local paper once in a while, especially if you work in a corporate environment. It’s funny because it’s true.

Long story short, I realized that I was never going to be able to produce the kind of programming I envisioned, and in general, my employ wasn’t taking me where I wanted to go. Having said that, I wasn’t exactly sure where it was I wanted to go, but I knew I had to get out and find out.

Amazingly, the tranquility that came from my commitment to contentment also revealed a practical path for me, and at the end of 2008, right after a worldwide economic crash and nationwide downsizing in our corporation, I voluntarily retired and embarked on what has become an ongoing adventure.

Of course, I had been saving for several years by this point and had a plan of exploration. But the best laid plans of mice and men... as they say, and my future turned out not to be the result of my external method, but sheer luck. An old college friend came into town with his father looking for a property to buy, and I offered to show them around post-Katrina New Orleans. When they found out I was at liberty they suggested I spend some time in their vacant family apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, The Paris of South America - a location I had long longed to visit.

And it was there I started my first blog.

And it was there I realized that I was truly happy.

But not because I was there.

To the contrary, I realized I was there because I had made being happy my number one priority, and that singular commitment had transformed my life externally as well as internally.

Altogether I spent three months in Argentina, and then returned to attend to some family matters in the southern U.S. before arriving back in New Orleans, where, to my great surprise, my landlady [and dear friend] had saved my old apartment for me. This was another unexpected blessing that had nothing to do with my rational intelligence and planning. I confess I have been very lucky to know some marvelous human beings, and to come from a very generous, loving family.

But I think it’s worth noting that although the many fortuitous events in my story are nothing I can take credit for, if I had behaved like a miserable sob during this period, these kind folks might not have been quite so generous. And to be perfectly frank, I wouldn’t have been worthy of their assistance. In other words, I have found that whether it’s at work or just living day-to-day, sincerely believing in, and enjoying what you are doing makes a person much easier to deal with.

In this way and so many others, peace has been remarkably beneficial and practical for me, and it was the gradual recognition of this phenomenon in my life that inspired my first self-help book, Peace is Practical [How the Inner Journey Can Transform the Outer], which in turn lead to the creation of peaceispractical.com and the INSIDE OUT blog. This particular platform for expression has flourished from my current location in the Crescent City and, along with quotes I have posted on my website, became the source material for this book.

Now, since the posts from INSIDE OUT are on such a diverse range of subjects, what I have done is edited them into essays and grouped them thematically. From politics, to partying, to family life, finance, romance, sports and daily living, all of them express my message - either directly or indirectly - that what you are looking for is inside of you and experiencing it will transform your life for the better. All the various aspects of a modern human being’s life have been employed to evoke and clarify the process of inner fulfillment. And every post/quote, no matter how long or short, reveals the secret to happiness in its entirety. Nothing is withheld or parceled out, and interestingly, because of the nature of the subject, it is possible to communicate its essence in countless ways. The enjoyment of life-itself penetrates and pervades all arenas, and my existence over the last few years is a testament to that fact.

In short, without being boastful, my feeling is that there is something in this book for everyone, and every section is just as valuable as the next. They were all inspired by the same experience. Exactly what resonates with you will simply depend on your personality type.

On another note, so that the reader can get a sense of my personal evolution on the road, I have put one of my travel blogs at the top of each section and ordered them chronologically. This way, you can watch them transform from a fascination with Buenos Aires life to a love affair with life-itself. And because the blogs started as emails with postscripts that often took the form of Spanish blessings [or insights into the inner journey], I have kept the custom with the essays. The P.S.’s have been specifically selected to compliment the text they follow.

And finally, in the last section I have gathered and organized my favorite quotes from over the years. I don’t believe in mantras, but these short formats can serve as quick reminders and expand your understanding over time.

Thank you for your patience, dear reader, in getting through this explanation of the origin and structure of this book.