Recently, I’ve been going round asking people what the happiest moment of their life is. I'm not sure why I'm so fixated on the idea - it might have something to do with mine and Vedantha's realisation that our songs so far have mostly been inspired by moments, rather than issues or continuous states. Usually these moments, with the notable exception of Waltz for Marie, have been good ones, and so I’m interested in seeing lots of different perspectives on the idea of happy moments; what would other people write ‘August and After songs’ about?
But more importantly, I think I like the openness of the concept. Happiness could encompass the idea of contentment; I remember being in Montmartes with Vedantha and without saying or agreeing or planning anything, we just simultaneously got out our guitars and started jamming on the steps. Perhaps it inolves a jaw-dropping moment, maybe triggered by awe-inspiring nature, e.g standing by Gullfoss, the great Icelandic waterfall, listening to Holocene by Bon Iver. Sometimes it means being surrounded by people you care about, and realising your good fortunes.
It's therefore fun, not only to see what people have done, or instinctively think about or jump back to, but also to discover their personal concept of happiness. Sometimes they ask what I mean - I will suggest that the happiness I mean is a feeling that is impossible to explain, you simply wish that you could bottle the atmosphere for later; this concept mingles happiness with a deeper sadness that you know that moment will pass.
Some examples of ‘happiest moments’ I've heard have been: the time someone received a personal letter from Laura Marling; trying on their mother's dresses and make-up aged about five; being immersed in a green, glowing sea and forgetting one’s troubles… What is yours? I was having a conversation with Theo (our extremely talented violinist) about the need to achieve a balance between fixation with the past and using it to improve the future; if you look back and think about what has made you truly happy, you can ensure more of it in the future...
But more importantly, I think I like the openness of the concept. Happiness could encompass the idea of contentment; I remember being in Montmartes with Vedantha and without saying or agreeing or planning anything, we just simultaneously got out our guitars and started jamming on the steps. Perhaps it inolves a jaw-dropping moment, maybe triggered by awe-inspiring nature, e.g standing by Gullfoss, the great Icelandic waterfall, listening to Holocene by Bon Iver. Sometimes it means being surrounded by people you care about, and realising your good fortunes.
It's therefore fun, not only to see what people have done, or instinctively think about or jump back to, but also to discover their personal concept of happiness. Sometimes they ask what I mean - I will suggest that the happiness I mean is a feeling that is impossible to explain, you simply wish that you could bottle the atmosphere for later; this concept mingles happiness with a deeper sadness that you know that moment will pass.
Some examples of ‘happiest moments’ I've heard have been: the time someone received a personal letter from Laura Marling; trying on their mother's dresses and make-up aged about five; being immersed in a green, glowing sea and forgetting one’s troubles… What is yours? I was having a conversation with Theo (our extremely talented violinist) about the need to achieve a balance between fixation with the past and using it to improve the future; if you look back and think about what has made you truly happy, you can ensure more of it in the future...
Ned
23/02/2013 - What is the happiest moment of your life?
