Following Your Bliss

Back in the day, when I was cranking out screenplays, pitching ideas and going to seminars for screenwriting, I was introduced to Joseph Campbell, whose 1988 PBS series with Bill Moyer “The Power of Myth” was recommended by everyone, in part because Campbell’s ideas had reportedly been the basis for the Star Wars trilogy and Hollywood was jumping on the bandwagon.

I loved the series and drank in the phrase Campbell coined, “follow your bliss.” He meant that whatever it is that makes you blissfully happy is the thing you must pursue in your life and all else will fall in.

To this day, I fervently believe in that principle. Last week, I was personally elated, to the point of tears, by an example of the truth of that philosophy.

My sister, Julie, had been trying to get into nursing school, and finally was admitted after two years of applying, and to the program she really wanted at SAC State.

The critical part of this story is that Julie, after 23 years of working for a very stable company as a manager, quit her job to pursue the lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She had spent a couple of years in part-time schooling, but then it became obvious that to really achieve her goal she would need to go full-time.

My brother-in-law, John, was capable of supporting them both, but it represented a big change in their lifestyle and sense of security.

Additionally, it couldn’t have been easy to leave a position where she had achieved no small measure of success for the scary prospect of finishing school and then getting a job in a completely new field.

I don’t think Julie was aware that getting into nursing school would be so difficult. What she discovered after getting top grades was there were just not enough slots in the nursing programs and most of them were based on a lottery system, not merit. So, effectively, her struggles to get all A’s wasn’t really getting her anywhere.

Happily, SAC State’s program is merit-based, and in January she’ll be on the last leg of her journey to finally being the nurse she’s always dreamed of being. Julie followed her bliss and all else fell into place.

When she called to tell me the good news, she and I both cried and then after we hung up I found myself choking up for about an hour afterwards. I realized a great part of my emotion was joy for my sister, but a huge chunk was joy that my belief in following your bliss was reaffirmed.

“Follow your bliss.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Moments of Unexpected Pleasure

This past Saturday I was making some leisurely sorties into various retail stores without any real need to buy anything. I tried on some shoes without finding anything I couldn’t live without. I explored Michaels for a half hour before I realized there was nothing in the store for me worth waiting another half hour in line. I dipped into Bath and Body Works and picked up a couple of unnecessary items, then finally wandered into Barnes and Noble to check out a book I’d been thinking of buying.

Once I located the book with the help of a staff member, who looked like he’d been run through the ringer this holiday season, I found a big, juicy armchair and plopped myself in it. I skimmed through the book and quickly decided I didn’t really want it and nearly jumped up to return it to the shelf when a certain weariness overcame me.

So, instead, I settled in. All around me there were people in various states of buying frenzy, most obviously looking for gifts. I watched them for a while before an awareness settled over me that I was done. I was really done – with making Christmas happen for my son, daughter, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and the sister whose stocking I was to fill in the family drawing of names. Actually done.

A sense of peace descended over me and I sat back without a thought in the world. My mind was as clear as if I had been meditating for hours to achieve the same affect. I listened to the noises surrounding my little safe haven and took the time to peer around me. I discovered a book by Judi Dench, one of my all-time favorite film stars, on a shelf a mere two steps away and retrieved it.

For the next half hour or so, I sat and looked at what was essentially a picture book of her life. For those of you who may not be familiar with Dame Dench, she’s the most current “Q” in the James Bond films. I find her incredibly beautiful and was somewhat relieved to find that she has actually aged very well. In some ways, her age has enhanced the beauty of her youth.

But the truly wonderful thing about this tiny pleasure was the unexpected nature of it. I sat until I was tired of sitting there, not motivated by any other thing. I had nothing that required doing. This freedom from worry allowed me to fully experience the moment, such a rare thing in this busy life of ours in the United States.

It is the end of a weekend now, and as I write this I realize that the thirty or so minutes I sat just looking and relaxing is probably the most tranquil and satisfying I’ve had in months.

Here’s wishing you a lovely few moments. After all, they are the real payoff in life, aren’t they?