The barber was lamenting his Year 13 son's disengagement. The boy was bright but had morphed into a minimalist, no longer setting his sights on university.

Instead he was going to be content with a trade when he left school. From dad's point of view, there was a chance of salvation in the form of an academically able girlfriend who had her sights set on university. Maybe some of her worldviews would rub off.

I'm not really seeing his perspective. People launching themselves into a trade seem to latch onto an income way before a university graduate. They get to see something tangible for their work each day and meet a vast array of characters most of whom are grateful for the miracles they perform. Their people and business skills are honed over time as they learn the importance of building a relationship with their clients. That all seems cheerful to me.

This conversation with the barber was just a day or so after listening to James Smith promote his speaking tour of New Zealand. James has got life sorted. I'll admit I'm suspicious of anyone who claims to have figured out life and got it to mean anything more than "42" - the benchmark against which all other claims should be measured. None-the-less curiosity got the better of me and I briefly opened my mind.

James is convinced many of us are on a life trajectory that makes us unhappy because we "go to university, buy a house and end up in an unfulfilling job". From his perspective, the real key to success and happiness is "wanting what you already have". 

It left me trying to figure out how I got through the awkward process of getting what I already have so that I can just be happy with that. Was I content as I gathered the memories, experiences, and things that now make up what I have? And if I was, can I not continue to be? I took some solace in knowing the answer was more than likely 42.

Thank you Douglas Adams.

This story is part of our Wellbeing series and comes to you from the theme of 'perspectives".