“The Kafei we’re looking for is an adult. When I look at you, I just see a child. “
Tatl – Majora’s Mask
There are times I find myself comparing my life to the set milestones of society, or the accomplishments of others. Many times I feel I am too childish for my age, or what I feel is expected of me from a society standpoint. I am in my thirties and do not have children. Without the outside comparisons and pressures, I enjoy this life quite tremendously. It is not uncommon to have a parent of other children tell you the best time of your life is when you become a parent. I have no desire to have this in my life. I am content existing in this space as I am.
Sometimes I wonder if we feel pressured to do great things. Contributing to society, being a good and kind person, being accountable – these are all great things. People can be successful in their careers with their finances, fame, and luxuries and be happy, just the same as living simply, getting by and having a place to sleep as dusk falls. Our happiness should not be defined by how we feel others view happiness. It has a deeply personal meaning for each individual as we are all exactly that – individual. What happiness means for you may not be the same as what it means for your neighbour, your sibling or the person walking down the street from your home.
Coming to terms with these revelations greatly helps ground me and encourages me to appreciate my life and what I have accomplished so far. Your life is not anyone else’s to judge – it is your own. I find myself having to remind myself of this often.
This subject has me thinking of the story of Anju and Kafei from Majora’s Mask. They were a couple who were separated due to the antagonist – The Skull Kid – cursing Kafei and causing him to become a child. Kafei hides and if you are able to meet with him, he gives you the Pendant of Memories to give to Anju. This causes Anju to wait for him on the third night at the Inn. If you complete all the steps, they are reunited and decide to die together (so sad!). This may not seem relevant to my musings on true happiness, but this portion of Majora’s Mask really steers me to think about happiness and what it means to each of us, and how it is a deeply personal experience.
Happy New Year!! <333
Thank you!! ^^
Sometimes, I look at where I am, at 35 and feel like I haven’t done enough. But, then I remind myself, that, if I was to compare, given I know what I’ve been through, and, it really, truly being all relative, I’ve done a lot, and come very far. Its glad to see you’ve found the same insights in reflecting yourself. Liking your blogs so far!
I sit here in my 40s and never considered things this way but it does make a lot of sense, that happiness should be defined by the individual and not by society as a whole. Granted, as you mentioned, things like being a good person is something great to achieve in general but what makes you happy should be what makes you, the person, not the group, happy.