Chasing Feelings

I watched a TikTok video by a guy talking about the TV series, Normal People. I’ve never seen this show. but it made quite the impression on him. He said that it changed his life and that it made him realize that the reason he watches so much TV and reads so many books and watches so many TikTok videos is that he loves chasing feelings. That struck me. Aren’t we all chasing feelings every single day?

I can remember the best dessert I have ever had. It was Tres Leches cake. I ate it on a warm summer evening, under the Mexican stars, in Chihuahua. Now, every time I order a dessert, I am chasing that wonderful feeling of deliciousness and ambiance. I haven’t succeeded yet, but it is sure fun trying.

Wouldn’t we all want to get that thrilling, topsy turvy feeling of falling in love for the first time? Or making a connection with someone you know will be a lifelong friend? We chase those feelings every time we meet someone new. Will this person be my person, the one who adds joy to my life?

Some of us are athletic. Some of us are not. I am among the latter. But, I ran a marathon in 2001. That feeling of accomplishment sticks with me. Those feelings of exhilaration and relief stalk me. Every time I go for a hike or do anything physical, I am chasing those feelings.

How about the first moment you see your newborn, your first child? How about your wedding day (or days, as the case may be)? What about high school graduation? Your first home? Your last day of work, forever? Seeing a double rainbow, or a shooting star. Seeing great works of art? Reading wonderful books?

Every day we awaken, we begin a day of chasing those feelings. Most days, a large majority of days, are much more mundane. Most days we just follow our routines. But the potential is there for more than that. I think that’s what we live for, those momentous feelings.

Since we live most of our lives in the mundane, we need to find pleasure in the everyday. The gentle sound of rain. The crunch of snow under your feet. A damn good muffin! The feeling of new sheets on your bed. The fragrance of opening a bag of chips. Finding a twenty dollar bill in the pocket of your winter coat.

It’s all about the feelings, “the feels”. Either the momentous or the mundane, let’s try to live our lives with more passion. Let’s chase feelings.