The Novelty Principle
One of my favorite songs is I still haven’t found what I’m looking for from U2. I heard it on the radio recently. It got me thinking. For years I felt that song was especially suited to me. However, when I heard it the other day, I discovered in myself a sense of complacency rather than longing or restlessness. Because I have in fact found what I was looking for.
Yet I still enjoy the song’s probing lyrics. Mainly because I know many people familiar with the words are, after so much time has passed, still looking for something life changing. Perhaps they don’t even know what it is exactly they’re looking for but only know they’ll know when they’ve found it. I suppose most modern people would love to happen upon something novel or inspiring. For adults specifically, some kind of fulfillment and justification for our being here despite what hand life deals us. But this is a consequential project for people at any stage in life. It’s no different than prospecting for precious earth minerals or any other valuable resource.
Furthermore, the fun in possibly finding these riches is a real sense of expectancy. We know we will find something if we only keep looking. It’s been said that in all labor there is profit. Even more encouraging therefore is that this sort of labor we’re hinting at involves excavating the depths of our attitude. That is always rewarding because if we take a good look inside, we’re sure to perceive something we didn’t know was there before. Then the necessary and lifelong process of refinement of that asset can begin. Maybe I’m wrong, but isn’t that a huge part of what life is about? Developing and strengthening character? Or are we simply to let bristles grow on the soles of our lazy feet and indirectly step on the necks of a new generation who might inherit our unconsciousness?
At any rate, here’s where the emotional upset ensues. If someone is slow to recognize their personal charms, they may search for fulfillment elsewhere. Typically, this is done by projecting onto another soul some personal flavor we believe essential to a rich life but think we ourselves have in negligible amounts.
It seems others are less likely to overlook us than we are to overlook ourselves. And that we disorient ourselves if we fail to develop the strength to stand on our own merits. So, in short, I’m chipping away at this post simply to augment what you’ve probably heard a million times already - well-being is self-determined. Your spirit and enthusiasm are the most powerful forces in your life. A novel existence is found in the mind favorably inclined toward its own heart.
Because the novelty principle is buried so deeply in the psyche, most people don’t know the very nature of their quest for greener pastures dictates they will not find them. But the good thing to add is this: when they become exhausted from searching elsewhere and probing everyone else, they will have to champion their own gifts. Now that’s a novel idea.
If you need to talk to someone you can call the Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787. If you feel like a danger to yourself, call 988.