In 1972, you would undoubtedly have heard many songs from the self-titled debut album, The Eagles, playing on your car radio. One of the more popular singles from that album was “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” The person singing that song is Randy Meisner, the band’s bassist. Although the emotion, feeling, and understanding in his voice reflect a deep appreciation for the lyrics, the song was not written by him. Jack Tempchin, a popular songwriter from Southern California, authored the song. Surprisingly enough, it was about a girl he was in love with but could not have. He was singing about something he could not have, yet had come to grips with that fact.
Which seems ironic, because this concept of a peaceful, easy feeling is also elusive and often unattainable.
It seems that the peaceful, easy feeling we all seek is only a temporary achievement, not something that can be sustained. You can strive for it and occasionally reach it. Still, if you think you are going to arrive at that state and stay there for an extended period of time, then you are going to face a lifetime of disappointment. We are organic, living creatures, constantly changing, growing, and dying. This means that our very existence is always swirling in chaotic change. Even the richest, most powerful people in the world do not seem to find this elusive, lasting peace. The most humble, non-imposing souls also struggle. I have come to realize that the peaceful, easy feeling Tempchin memorialized for all of us is not a state you reach, but rather a temporary feeling you are occasionally blessed with as a coping mechanism.
His song was exactly correct. This is the feeling you get, not when you have achieved something amazing and finally reached a destination. It is the feeling you get when you realize that you are not going to achieve what you want anytime soon—but that you are okay with that because you are “already standing on the ground.” This is a place of self-preservation, an understanding, and a knowledge that, despite my lofty ambitions, despite my struggles, I know that I am going to be okay anyway.
Well, that is—unless you took peyote to get there. Then the peaceful, easy feeling comes rather quickly, followed by hours of nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
