Musings & Threads. The Misery of Living with a Happy Person.

Feb 10

Feb 10 Musings & Threads. The Misery of Living with a Happy Person.

Barry Novick, Life Ramblings, Musings & Threads

The Misery of Living with a Happy Person

There she is. Working away on her laptop, totally engrossed in the subject matter of any one of a number of projects she is always involved with. There it is. The faintest hint of a smile on her face, as she intently focuses. What’s wrong with her? How can anyone take such pleasure from just “being in the moment?”

But, it’s true, now as always. Despite family illnesses, economic downturns, balancing work and personal commitments that clamor imbalance, deadlines, disappointments, grief—that sense of joy always returns, and pervades her approach to living. It makes her see the good in everything.

My own approach to life is somewhat different. More like the herky-jerky flight of a crow flying in a heavy wind. Up. Down. Left. Right. Trying desperately not to crash. Everything seems to be a big deal, whereas her approach is steady and confident.

I have learned that there are definitely at least two approaches to living—one that is curiosity driven and another fear of the unknown. So, I hope that I am not too far gone to achieve the “smile”—the joyful aspect of living life.

As I lay awake at night pondering all that can go wrong in the morning, I am aware of the maddeningly peaceful slumber of the person next to me. “Not fair,” I think to myself. I want to wake her up. Instead, I put my hand on her shoulder, and even I know that I am the luckiest person in the world.

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Barry Novick

Barry Novick became a real estate broker on the North Fork, after moving here from Manhattan with his family 25+ years ago. Barry is well-known in the community as an all-around great guy, and as the ultimate real estate professional. He has brokered land, residential and commercial properties, including brokering the most vineyards on the East End over the industry’s history. After growing up just outside of Washington, D.C., Barry earned his B.S. in Anthropology at the University of Maryland, which prepared him well for his business career in NYC. In recounting his youth in Washington, Barry notes riding the “Congressional subway” between the House and Senate along with Representatives, Senators, and a Vice President or two. He and his friends often sat in on open sessions, when they weren’t catapulting ravines at Great Falls, and other great things kids did then. Due to surviving all of the above, Barry wanes philosophical and is known for his somewhat hysterical sense of humor. He is probably the best friend a person could have. He and his wife live in Sag Harbor and Brooklyn Heights, and are always nearby his amazing daughter and son-in-law, and their extraordinary children.