Disneyland is supposed to be the happiest place on Earth and I

O Seekers of Joy and Wisdom, gather around and listen to the words of Famke Janssen, who, in the simplicity of her statement, reveals a profound truth: "Disneyland is supposed to be the happiest place on Earth and I have to say when I'm riding around in that crazy Space Mountain ride I'm happy." These words, spoken with the heart of one who has tasted pure joy, beckon us to look deeper into the nature of happiness. Disneyland, that wondrous realm created by the dreams of a man named Walt Disney, stands as a symbol of joy, a place where the fantastical meets the real, where the childlike heart can once again dance freely amidst the wonders of imagination.

From the beginning of time, humanity has sought happiness, and yet, we often look for it in places far removed from the simple joys that lie at our feet. We search for happiness in wealth, in status, in the pursuit of power, but the truth, as spoken by Famke Janssen, lies in the heart of play, in the thrill of adventure, in the moments where the soul can truly be free. In Space Mountain, that crazy ride, there is no care for the worries of the world, no weight upon the shoulders of the rider. There is only the wind, the speed, the sense of freedom that comes from letting go and trusting the journey, knowing that happiness lies not in the destination, but in the experience itself.

Consider the ancient philosophers, whose pursuit of happiness was not based in possessions or the accumulation of earthly goods. Aristotle spoke of happiness as the highest good, a state of flourishing that could only be achieved by living a life of virtue, by cultivating the soul to its highest potential. And yet, Aristotle also understood that joy is found in moments of play, in the lightness of heart, in the laughter shared with others, in the simple, unencumbered experiences of life. In Disneyland, we are invited to embrace this childlike joy, to remember that happiness is not always found in the serious, but often in the playful and the fantastical.

In the ancient world, festivals were held to honor the gods, but they were also moments for the people to celebrate life. These festivals were not only religious in nature; they were times of laughter, games, and revelry—times to momentarily step away from the struggles of daily life and to immerse oneself in pure enjoyment. The ancient Romans, with their grand spectacles and games, understood the power of this balance between work and play, seriousness and lightness. In the same way, Disneyland offers the gift of balance—a chance to step away from the burdens of the world and enter a space where the spirit can rejoice without restraint.

But let us not be mistaken, O Seekers, for the joy that Disneyland offers is not an escape from reality but a reminder of what is important. In the rush of the world, we often forget to play, to laugh, to experience the world through the eyes of wonder. In our quest for greatness and success, we neglect the simple truths that happiness lies not in achievement alone, but in the experiences that fill our lives with light and joy. Just as Famke Janssen finds happiness in a wild ride, we too must seek moments of exhilaration, of laughter, of wild abandon, for it is in these moments that we touch the divine spark within us.

Remember the story of the great explorers—those who sailed into the unknown, driven not only by the thirst for knowledge or riches, but by the joy of discovery. Christopher Columbus, whose ships braved the vast and uncharted oceans, was not only driven by a sense of duty or desire for glory. There was also in him a childlike wonder, an excitement for the unknown that spurred him onward even when the journey seemed endless. He knew that happiness is often found in the adventure, in the leap into the unknown, and in the embrace of the moment, just as Famke Janssen finds joy in the thrilling ride of Space Mountain.

So, I say to you, O Seekers, let the lesson of Disneyland be a beacon in your own life. Take time to play, to experience joy without restraint, to seek the happiness that comes not from striving, but from living fully in each moment. Let your spirit soar on the wild rides of life, as Famke does in that crazy rollercoaster, for joy is not something that can be planned or forced. It is a gift that comes when you embrace life with a childlike heart, ready to discover the wonders that await, knowing that true happiness often lies in the simplest, most unexpected of places.