The Knowing Light– At Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA
The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
–William Saroyan
Looking at the new painting shown here on the right, The Knowing Light that is now at the Principle Gallery, I was reminded of the quote above from the late dramatist William Saroyan. I thought a post from 2015 on that quote might fit with this painting as well.
From 2015:
This quote from William Saroyan caught me off guard when I came across it, mainly because it captured in a few words the lesson I had finally gleaned from years of seeking this elusive beast called happiness. And a beast it was, a creature out of mythology. I had made it into a thing that had special powers and was like the Abominable Snowman— rumored to exist but seldom seen.
I discovered over time that this was a mistake.
I was picturing happiness as a once in a life thing, some sort of peak moment, when it was, in fact, just a small part of our being human. The key in Saroyan’s short quote is the word knowing. Once we begin to know who and what we are and are not, the need for peak moments subsides as we understand that there is a sort of happiness in the smaller moments of simply being. It is not a gleeful, heart-pounding joy but a comfortable warm glow and an inner sense of satisfaction that often comes to you at what seems to be the most mundane of moments.
Stopping just now and looking out my studio window, for example. A light snow is falling almost in time to Paul Desmond’s sax that is mingling with Dave Brubeck’s piano, and I sip my coffee. It is gray and almost gloomy, but I feel this glow, this satisfaction in the moment. It is not happiness as most might define the word. It is just a moment of knowing that I exist in the world, that I am here to bear witness to the small wonders that take place around me in my small corner of the universe.
And that’s good enough.
I didn’t include the music in the original blog post and can’t remember exactly what song was playing. But here’s a bit of that Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond magic, Brubeck’s Japan-inspired composition, Koto Song. It has a grace and elegance in its simplicity. Listening with my coffee in hand, I realize that it’s still good enough just being here now, happy in the knowledge that I don’t require happiness.
That’s saying something…
Redtree Times 
Dear GC MYERS Sending kind regards to you from Adelaide South Australia; with best wishes for a joyful, healthy (wear a mask), safe Holiday Season !
Maggie
Seasonal Greetings [image: Waratah Telopea Speciosssima PINK.jpg]
Hi, Maggie- Thank you so much for the holiday wishes! I send you back my own best wishes for your own Happy Holiday Season and good health for us all. As I write this, I am rooting for your underdog Aussie team against Argentina in the World Cup. I would love to see them pull off the upset! All good things to you, Maggie.–gary
Not much chance against Argentina, but an heroic goal from the Aussies in second half. Lifted the spirits here after fires, floods and a dreadful Trump-like PM (His party now ousted & him censured By parliament – first time in 121yrs). I love you website & frequently post up your site, quotes, paintings & reference Http on both FB & Twitter. Kind regards Maggie
I have been following this blog for awhile, fascinated by the art, quotes, and music all tied into one. I like to use music to help me feel deep emotions, and the art and quotes are a phenomenal addition to what I already try to do. This one really hit me. I am in a bit of postpartum depression, and every day is like a rollercoaster. I feel everything. This is a wonderful quote for new parents. Every day may not end feeling happy, but the happiest thing is that it doesn’t HAVE to. This journey is heavy and that is okay.
Just wanted to share a perspective you may not have seen. Thank you for your work.
(From Wichita, Kansas, United States of America)
So glad you found something in this that applies to your own life, Lauren. I can only imagine the difficulties of maintaining an even keel with the responsibilities that a newborn bring. Keep your head up, Lauren, and take every day as it comes. Like you said, every day will not end on a happy note and that’s okay. Sometimes the lasting satisfaction that comes in carrying out one’s responsibilities is better than short-lived happiness. All my best to yu, Lauren!
I’ve become a big fan of “contentment”. As long as I have enough of all the most important things, I’m content.
Me, too. It took a long time to come to the realization that contentment can become a permanent state of being while happiness is usually short-lived and narrow in scope. Contentment has the room to accommodate the usual ups and downs of life.