jakorte's blog

“If ignorance is bliss - there should be more happy people.”

Although I’m sure this doesn’t sound at all like something that would actually come out of my had-it-to-the-limit ascetically sarcastic and well-bitten lips, rest assured the thought has gone through my mind a time, or few.

However, in this case they truly weren’t my words.
I took them off a church announcement sign on US 223 in Blissfield Monday night on my way home from a late Ann Arbor appointment. At first, I wondered if the whole “bliss” and “Blissfield” thing may not have been such a big coincidence.

I’m sure there was a noble thought behind the posting, but I haven’t been able to pinpoint one, yet. Maybe it was that we should better educate ourselves and that would lead to happiness. Better education leads to higher salaries, nicer homes, and bigger bank accounts. I can’t imagine that’s really where this church was going, though. I’m sure it was meant to point out something more like, “knowledge of GOD is what will set you free.”

In juxtaposition, here are some words which have come out of my mouth many times, over many years:
“In my next life, I want to be dumb and happy.”
I’ve joked I’d like less of brain, fewer analytical skills, and lower expectations.
I’ve said I’d like to not be able to rationalize balance, over-plan in obnoxious detail, or require all outcomes to equal inputs.
I mean, if I didn’t have the knowledge and the capacity, I wouldn’t have the issues, right?

Of course, I decided to analytically pursue Merriam-Webster's opinion.

The definition of bliss is happiness;
the definition of happiness is felicity;
felicity is the definition of an apt expression.
"Apt" is defined as: keenly intelligent and responsive, suited to a purpose; especially being to the point.

Then, I suppose, I am happy, and I should celebrate that at all times.

In fact, I could use some help. So, help me out here.
Tell me: what does bliss mean to you?

In this issue: Defining Bliss, Charity - Where Does the Money Go?, Merriam-Webster, a short history of Blissfield
Now Posted: Action Plan, Roll with It, New Orleans, 2009