The idea of happiness

I recently got the rarest of rare opportunity to watch the movie “into the wild” released in 2007 directed by Sean Penn. The film portrays the true orgy for adventures of Christopher McCandles whose ultimate divine quest was to experience the wildest of wild Alaska. He felts society was mediocre and is the handiwork of exploiters. He christened himself as Alexander and constructively destroys his existence by burning his credit cards and dossiers representing his identity. Alex premeditates and sets a journey to Alaska after completing the graduation, donating his savings to charity, leaving his parents, sister and friends, desperate and worried.

Alexi says “True happiness is to be found in sharing”. He emphasizes that happiness can be derived by sharing with flora, fauna or animals than the principles of human relationship. He reinforces, educates that happiness can be fostered by experiencing new things in life. His idea for happiness is unimaginable, inspiring and enduring. Some of his ideas are quoted below:

“The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences”

“When you want something in life, you just gotta reach out and grab it.”

“You don't need human relationships to be happy, God has placed it all around us”

“If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed”

“Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past”

In his enigmatic journey to Alaska he encounters, experiences versatility of nature, humans, and garners relationships. He was mesmerized and fascinated by the extreme wilderness of Alaska, the blue skies, mountains, streams, plethora of lush green trees, legions of animals. Later in the movie Alexi decides to reconcile with his family and society. However, he was trapped in the extreme conditions of the wild nature and realises that nature has another face “wild”. He ran out of food stocks and consumes a wild leaves assuming it to be edible; unfortunately he was poisoned, falls vegetative and eventually fells sick.

Finally after vigorous struggle with the dire conditions Alex says “sayonara” to the world. It was spasm, saddening and nerve wrecking. Throughout the movie an unflinching, continuous and profound message (learning) about pursuit to happiness and freedom was conveyed. A selective message about parenting has also been quoted in the movie, as his parent’s hostile behaviour has led him to derive his “idea of happiness”.

His objectives, idea of escaping the worldly pleasure and running away personal responsibility invites closer censure, condemnable and disappointment. He might have achieved his destiny, but has he fulfilled his true responsibility.

As we tramp our life is bound with myriad of events, but filling your heart with happiness is highly important. Happiness can be derived from many sources and it is everywhere. With love, embracing happiness is eventually easier and simpler.