The Other Kind of Happiness

I have been reading the NYTimes and WSJ for the past decade; usually early in the morning and before my morning coffee.  Putting politics aside, I very much enjoy the Opinion section of both papers.   One of the columnists that I follow is David Brooks.    He has been writing his columns in the Times for over 15 years.  He is truly one of America's most influential columnist, very insightful and elegant, not to mention a prolific writer.   He has this incredible ability to catalyze debates on very complex and controversial topics by merely writing about them. 

I have been following his writings for the past seven years, and I don't believe his politics - he still describes himself as a Burkean conservative - has changed.    However, his mission and purpose as a writer have evolved dramatically in recent years. 

I recently read his new book, The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life.  I truly enjoyed reading it.  The book addresses the commitment that defines a life of meaning and purpose, including family and spouse, vocation, and community.

I found the title of the book surprising.  He argues that life on the first mounting, which is the mountain of personal goals, worldly success, career ambition, and traveling in the right social circles, is transitory and ultimately unsatisfying.    But eventually, though, if we are fortunate, we discover ourself on the second mountain, one defined by other centeredness and self-giving.  

The book made me think a lot about myself and what I really want.  Some of us who live on the first mountain may find happiness, but people living on the second mountain find something more profound - joy.  

I  believe there is a fine line between happiness and Joy.  Happiness is the victory and expansion of the self.  But joy is found in transcending the ego and serving others.  

I highly recommend the book.  Reading it gave me a feeling of a journey with a friend.  The book speaks to profound human longings, and to the particular challenges of our time - loneliness, alienation, social isolation, extreme-individualism, and the passive online culture.  It helps that the book does so with elegance, thoughtfulness, and a personal touch and sincerity.    
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The Second Mountain was not just an enjoyable read; it helped me in my life at this stage and in a quest for a moral life, but more critical leaving the first mountain that provides a measure of Instagram Happiness, that prioritize time over people, productivity over relationship.
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