le mot juste (the right word).

To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost. - Gustave Flaubert

There is no question that each of us has our own qualifiers for our happiness. However, on this endless quest to achieve happiness there is little doubt in mind that, and Flaubert says it best, without stupidity -- all is lost.

As I've come to learn (err accept) from my own shortcomings is that without those blurred moments of impaired judgement, otherwise referred to as "stupidity," I'd seldom realize the reality and truth behind any of my characteristically over-analyzed actions. It's the "a-ha" moments or Homer Simpson-esque "Duh-o!" revelations that have come to be my greatest purveyors of life's little wisdoms.

As people we lack the ability to avoid misfortunes, mistakes and temporary lapses of character-- as much as we'd like to perceive ourselves as the Captain's of our own ship-- we all fall sometimes and we're better for it. Over the last year (more so now than before) , I've garnered my fair share of unabashed battle scars from the metaphorical trips I've ruthlessly agonized over. Stupidity, in its most sincerest and jovial of forms, is teaching me that enjoying the ride far outweighs your final destination.

Flaubert, always seeking le mot juste, has in, in my opinion, found it in qualifying happiness as a balance of stupidity, selfishness and good health. Stupidity in learning from the errors of our ways, selfishness in the constant self-reflection for betterment and good health in mind, body and spirit.

Well, two out of three ain't bad.