PATHS TO HAPPINESS

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IS YOUR HAPPINESS EVEN POSSIBLE?

Happiness is not a place you arrive at—it’s the way you move through the world.
—Margaret Lee Run

If you’re honest, it can feel like happiness is out of style.

Turn on the news, scroll your phone, or skim a morning headline, and you’re immediately surrounded by everything that’s going wrong. Tragedy shouts louder than kindness. Conflict spreads faster than compassion. Even in arenas meant to celebrate success—sports, business, achievement—the spotlight often lands on scandal instead of triumph.

It’s no wonder happiness can start to feel distant… even unrealistic.

You might catch yourself thinking: How am I supposed to feel joyful in a world like this?

And yet, that question reveals something important.

Because despite everything, you still want happiness.

The Illusion of “Someday”

Many people live with a quiet belief: real life hasn’t started yet.

It’s just around the corner—after the next obstacle, the next responsibility, the next problem solved. There’s always something in the way. Something to finish. Something to fix.

Alfred Souza captured it perfectly: we spend years waiting for life to begin… only to realize those obstacles were our life all along.

And that realization changes everything.

Because if life isn’t waiting somewhere ahead—then happiness isn’t either.

A World That Has More… Yet Feels Less

We live in an age of incredible advancement. Technology has promised us convenience, freedom, and more time than ever before.

And yet many people feel more rushed, more anxious, and more overwhelmed than any generation before them.

We’ve gained speed—but lost stillness.
We’ve gained access—but lost connection.
We’ve gained more—but somehow feel less.

So again the question rises: Is happiness even realistic? Or is it just wishful thinking?

The Truth About Happiness

Happiness isn’t optional—it’s fundamental.

You were born wired to seek it. To move toward joy. To avoid pain. It’s part of your design.

But here’s the shift most people miss:

Happiness doesn’t appear when the world improves.
It appears when you decide to create it—despite the world.

Opportunities for happiness aren’t rare. They’re everywhere. Quiet. Subtle. Often overlooked.

The real challenge isn’t finding happiness—it’s recognizing it… and choosing it.

The Ripple Effect

Happiness was never meant to be hoarded.

It spreads.

When you bring light into someone else’s life, you don’t lose it—you multiply it. As James Barrie said, those who bring sunshine to others cannot keep it from themselves.

Imagine if happiness became intentional—not accidental.

If people chose it, shared it, prioritized it.

Not as a fleeting emotion, but as a way of living.

It would move outward—from you, to your home, to your community, and beyond—like a ripple that never stops expanding.

Is That Idealistic?

Maybe.

History shows us that even our best intentions fade. Movements rise, inspire, and eventually give way to old habits—self-interest, distraction, complacency.

So yes, we may stumble. We may drift. We may repeat old patterns.

But not forever.

Progress doesn’t require perfection—it requires persistence.

The Balance of Being Human

Here’s another truth we often resist:

Happiness cannot exist without its opposite.

Joy means something because we’ve known sorrow. Love matters because loss is possible.

A world without pain wouldn’t feel like paradise—it would feel empty.

You weren’t meant to live in constant euphoria. You were meant to experience the full range of life—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

The goal isn’t to eliminate unhappiness.

It’s to balance it with deeper, richer joy.

The Courage to Seek It Anyway

Would you avoid love just to escape heartbreak?

Would you stop searching for truth because lies exist?

Would you give up on courage because fear is present?

Of course not.

So why abandon happiness simply because it’s sometimes buried beneath struggle?

Happiness isn’t handed to you—it’s discovered. Unearthed. Chosen.

Again and again.

Becoming Your Higher Self

Your real purpose isn’t to chase a perfect life.

It’s to become someone who can create peace within an imperfect one.

That’s what it means to grow into your Higher Self—not to eliminate stress, but to rise above it. Not to control the world, but to master your response to it.

When you reach that place, something shifts:

You stop being pulled into every storm…
Because you’ve become the calm at the center of it.

And from that calm, something powerful emerges—

A steady, grounded, resilient kind of happiness.

Not loud. Not fragile. But real.

And once it’s real…

It doesn’t just stay with you.

It flows through everything you do.

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HOW CAN I STOP GETTING SO UPSET?

Why do I get so easily upset about everything?

It’s a question that feels personal, almost confessional—yet it touches something universal. At some point, we all notice how quickly our mood can shift, how a small inconvenience can spark a disproportionate reaction, or how a passing comment can linger far longer than it should. And when that happens, we often assume the world is the problem.

But what if it isn’t?

Centuries ago, René Descartes offered a deceptively simple insight: “I think, therefore I am.” With just five words, he placed thought at the very center of human existence. Much later, James Allen deepened that idea: “As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.” Together, they reveal something both empowering and unsettling—our inner world doesn’t just reflect our lives; it shapes them.

If that’s true, then an obvious question arises: if our thoughts hold such power, why don’t we simply choose better ones? Why don’t we “flip the switch” and decide to be calm, content, and happy?

The answer is both simple and difficult: we don’t fully believe it’s that simple.

We tend to distrust solutions that feel too easy. We assume happiness must be earned through struggle, or that peace requires circumstances to align perfectly. So instead of exercising control over our thoughts, we surrender to them—especially the negative ones. Doubt creeps in. Fear follows. And before long, we’re reacting to life rather than shaping it.

At the heart of this lies a powerful truth: our capacity for happiness is rooted in our expectations of it.

There’s an old saying: “The person who believes they can is probably right—and so is the person who believes they can’t.” This isn’t just clever wordplay; it’s a reflection of how perception defines reality. When we label a situation as “bad,” our minds go to work proving that judgment correct. We notice every flaw, every inconvenience, every frustration. The experience becomes exactly what we expected it to be.

But when we approach the same situation with a sense of control—even if that control exists only in how we respond—something shifts. The event may not change, but our experience of it does. Calm replaces chaos. Clarity replaces confusion.

In this sense, happiness and control are closely intertwined. Not control over the world—that’s often beyond us—but control over how we interpret and respond to it.

The philosopher John Stuart Mill understood this well when he wrote that meaningful improvement in human life requires a transformation in our modes of thought. In other words, lasting change doesn’t begin “out there”—it begins within.

An event, by itself, carries no emotional weight. It is neutral. It is our interpretation—our immediate, often unconscious reaction—that assigns meaning to it. That meaning then fuels our emotions: anger, anxiety, resentment, or, alternatively, acceptance, resilience, and even peace.

This doesn’t mean we can control everything that happens to us. We can’t. Life will always present moments of uncertainty, disappointment, and challenge. But we can control the lens through which we view those moments—and that makes all the difference.

Stress, at its core, is not just about what happens to us. It’s about our resistance to what happens. It arises when we refuse to adapt, when we cling to how things should be rather than accepting how they are. The tension we feel is often the gap between expectation and reality.

And here’s the paradox: the very thing we resist—adjusting our perspective—is the key to overcoming the problem.

We don’t lack the ability to manage our reactions. What we often lack is the trust that we can.

Yet the evidence is there, quietly present in every moment we choose patience over anger, understanding over judgment, or calm over chaos. Each time we do, we prove to ourselves that our thoughts are not fixed—they are tools. And like any tool, they can be used skillfully or carelessly.

So the next time you find yourself getting upset “too easily,” pause and ask a different question—not “What’s wrong with the world?” but “What am I telling myself about this moment?”

Because in that answer lies your power.

And perhaps, your peace.

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I LOVE MY LIFE!

At 4:45 on a freezing winter morning, the alarm clock exploded into the darkness.

For a moment, Mark lay perfectly still. Outside his window, the wind howled and snow rattled against the glass. The warmth of the bed wrapped around him like an invitation to stay exactly where he was.

Most people would have hit the snooze button.

Mark didn’t.

He swung his legs out of bed, stood up, and stretched like an athlete about to enter the arena. As the coffee brewed, he turned up the music and began humming the theme from Rocky. He shadowboxed in the kitchen, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

His wife wandered in half-awake and asked the obvious question:

“Why are you so happy at five in the morning?”

Mark laughed.

“Because I get to do what I love today.”

The truth is, Mark wasn’t famous. He wasn’t wealthy. He wasn’t running a billion-dollar company. He was simply someone who had discovered something many people spend their entire lives searching for:

He had found work and a purpose that lit a fire inside him.

And that fire changed everything.

Every so often, life invites us to pause and ask a powerful question:

Why am I here—and what truly sets my soul on fire?

Most people move through life without seriously considering that question. They follow routines, meet expectations, and pursue goals they were told were important.

But the people who live with genuine enthusiasm—the ones who radiate energy and purpose—have usually done something different.

They have taken the time to discover what deeply matters to them.

The more clearly we connect with the reasons that make life meaningful, the more passionately we begin to live it. Passion fuels action. It sharpens focus, strengthens persistence, and transforms effort into enthusiasm.

And when passion aligns with purpose, something extraordinary happens:

Our purpose becomes our passion.

And really, what other kind of purpose is worth pursuing?

A true purpose should engage us completely. It should challenge us, excite us, and pull us forward like a powerful current. If our purpose, vision, values, and mission fail to stir something deep within us—if they don’t inspire us to act—then what meaning do they really hold?

Life was never meant to be dull, predictable, or routine.

Life is meant to be experienced.

It is meant to be tasted, savored, and lived with intensity. Standing on the sidelines—uncertain about what we believe or what we truly want—is no way to live.

Instead, we must believe in our purpose so strongly that it flows through everything we do—from the way we care for our families to the way we work, lead, and contribute to the world.

When purpose ignites passion, life changes.

Energy rises. Opportunities appear. And each day begins to feel like an adventure.

Think back to those rare moments when you felt completely driven by purpose—when a powerful desire pushed you forward and nothing seemed able to stand in your way.

Time seemed to disappear. Your focus sharpened. You were fully immersed in what you were doing.

In those moments, happiness didn’t come from outside circumstances. It came from something deeper—the exhilarating joy of being fully alive.

Remarkably, the human brain is designed for experiences like this.

This extraordinary organ—soft, pinkish-gray, and weighing only a few pounds—contains roughly 100 billion neurons, firing signals at incredible speed. Within its intricate networks are chemical messengers that influence how we think, feel, and act.

Among them are endorphins, powerful natural chemicals similar to morphine. Our bodies release them during moments of intense effort, excitement, and emotional engagement.

Athletes experience this phenomenon as the famous “runner’s high.” Parents have felt it when they suddenly summon extraordinary strength to protect their children.

These powerful states are not accidents.

They are part of how we are designed.

Now imagine being able to tap into that wellspring of passion more often. Imagine feeling energized and fully engaged simply because you are working toward something that truly matters to you.

The truth is—people do it every day.

Ordinary individuals unlock their passion by immersing themselves in meaningful work, ambitious goals, and missions that inspire them. They become so engaged in their pursuits that they lose track of time. Obstacles no longer feel overwhelming. Their minds and bodies surge with energy as their purpose fuels their passion.

Their actions become deliberate.
Their focus sharpens.
Their enthusiasm becomes contagious.

And their drive becomes nearly unstoppable.

Often this passion becomes most visible in a person’s life’s work. As legendary comedian George Burns once said:

“I would rather be a failure doing something I love than a success doing something I hate.”

Most of us recognize the truth in that statement. At some point in life, nearly everyone feels an inner pull toward something meaningful—a desire to create, contribute, build, or serve in a way that reflects who they truly are.

When we pursue work that genuinely matters to us, our purpose begins to reveal itself through our actions. The path becomes clearer. We understand why we wake up each morning.

We know what we are working toward.

And when you encounter people living this way, something about them stands out.

They carry a different energy.

A spark.

A sense that they are moving toward something important.

They are not waiting for life to happen.

They are creating it.

By strengthening their self-image and pursuing what matters most, they move toward the highest levels of human fulfillment—what psychologist Abraham Maslow described as self-actualization.

As we challenge ourselves to discover and pursue our deepest ambitions, we move closer to becoming the people we are capable of being.

And when that happens, something powerful becomes possible.

We can wake up each morning and say with conviction:

“I love my life.”

Imagine loving the work you do.
Loving the people around you.
Feeling confident about your health, your finances, and your future.

Imagine appreciating the simple miracle of breathing, seeing, hearing, learning, and growing.

Imagine believing that your life matters—that your ideas, your effort, and your presence in the world make a difference.

Imagine knowing exactly what you want and moving toward it with confidence.

Imagine believing that tomorrow can be even better than today.

It might sound like the script of an uplifting film produced by The Walt Disney Company.

But a life like this is not fantasy.

It is something we can consciously create.

It begins with belief—with the image we hold of ourselves and the meaning we choose to give our lives.

If purpose is the meaning we assign to our existence, then whatever meaning we choose will shape the life we experience.

Choose a small meaning, and life becomes small.

Choose a greater meaning, and life expands to meet it.

As William Shakespeare wrote:

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

Our thoughts shape our attitudes.
Our attitudes shape our actions.
And our actions ultimately shape the lives we live.

So the question is not whether passion exists.

It does.

The real question is whether we are willing to claim it.

Somewhere inside you is a spark—an interest, a dream, a calling that makes you feel more alive than anything else. When you find it, nurture it. Feed it with effort, curiosity, and belief.

Because when purpose and passion finally meet, life stops feeling ordinary.

It becomes meaningful.

It becomes energized.

It becomes an adventure.

And one morning—perhaps sooner than you think—you may wake up, step out of bed with a smile, and realize something remarkable:

You’re not just living your life.

You’re loving it. 

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WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?


Have you found it yet?

If the answer is no, stop trying so hard to figure it out. Don’t overthink it. Don’t analyze it to death. Passion rarely appears through logic or careful planning. It doesn’t arrive as the conclusion of a spreadsheet or a pros-and-cons list.

Passion reveals itself through your heart.

It’s that unmistakable moment when you become completely absorbed in something you love. Time disappears. Your mind quiets. Your spirit feels alive. In those moments, you’re not trying to impress anyone or meet expectations—you’re simply being yourself.

Your passion shows up when you feel most aligned with who you truly are. It’s when your heart sparks with excitement and your inner voice whispers, Yes… this feels right.

If you haven’t felt that spark in a while, it may be because you’ve stopped listening to yourself.

Over time, the voices around us grow louder—family expectations, career pressures, social norms, the endless opinions of others. Without realizing it, we begin responding to what the world tells us we should want rather than what we genuinely feel.

When that happens, our emotions get muted. Our instincts grow quiet. And slowly, we can lose touch with the things that once brought us joy.

Eventually, some people even forget what they’re passionate about.

If that sounds familiar, it’s not a failure—it’s simply a signal. A reminder that it’s time to reconnect with yourself.

Life isn’t meant to feel like a repetitive loop of dull routines and quiet resignation. It’s meant to be experienced with energy, curiosity, and moments that make your heart race with excitement.

Finding your passion doesn’t require inventing something new. Often, it’s about remembering.

Think back to the moments when you felt fully alive. When you were completely absorbed in what you were doing. When joy came naturally and effortlessly.

You might have to revisit your childhood to find those memories. What fascinated you then? What could you spend hours doing without getting bored?

Or perhaps the answer lies in something more recent—a hobby that made you lose track of time, a book that stirred your imagination, a song that moved you, a conversation that left you inspired.

Your passion might have surfaced during a challenge that pushed your limits. Or when you helped someone who truly needed you. Maybe it appeared through creativity, physical activity, deep reflection, or simply watching a beautiful sunset and feeling a quiet sense of wonder.

The clues are already there.

If you listen closely to your heart, you will recognize the moments that once ignited your spirit. And the beautiful truth is this: those passions are not gone.

They’re simply waiting for your attention again.

You have every right to bring them back into your life—whenever you choose, and as often as you desire.

Because a meaningful life isn’t defined by routine or obligation.
It’s defined by the moments that make you feel deeply, vibrantly alive.

So give yourself permission to follow those sparks again.

That’s what living fully is all about.

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PURSUE LIFE SATISFACTION, NOT HAPPINESS

IT’S SATISFACTION, NOT HAPPINESS THAT WE SEEK

Happiness is wonderful. It sparkles, it lifts, it lights us up. But it is also fleeting — like a light bulb that flickers on and off. One moment it shines brightly; the next, it dims. We chase it, celebrate it, miss it when it’s gone.

But happiness is not the same as life satisfaction.

Life satisfaction runs deeper. It is not a passing emotion but a steady conviction — a quiet, grounded belief that your life is meaningful and good, even when it is hard. Unlike happiness, it does not disappear when your mood shifts or circumstances change. Once rooted, it becomes a foundation. And from that foundation, happiness rises more often and more naturally.

If happiness is the weather, life satisfaction is the climate.

So how do we cultivate it?

Life satisfaction is not something we stumble upon — it is something we choose. It grows when we intentionally shape the beliefs and attitudes we live by:

  • Accept who you are, instead of chasing who others expect you to be.
  • Recognize that life is good — not because it is easy, but because it is meaningful, even with its challenges.
  • Embrace change as a natural and necessary part of growth.
  • Trust yourself and have faith in the greater unfolding of life.
  • Reconnect with your authentic, genuine self.
  • Discover and honor your real purpose.
  • Stay true to your core values.
  • Notice the grace in everyday moments and the beauty that surrounds you.
  • Share your talents and gifts — they are meant to serve more than just you.
  • Remember that your life holds profound significance, and you are the one steering its direction.
  • Live fully in the present instead of replaying the past or rehearsing the future.

Happiness cannot stand alone. It flourishes best when rooted in a broader sense of satisfaction with life itself. When you build that deeper foundation — when you choose meaning, authenticity, and faith over fleeting emotion — happiness becomes less of a chase and more of a companion.

So seek life satisfaction first.

Let happiness follow.

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THE HIGHER LIFE – 25 PRINCIPLES

Live Higher 11x14 jpgLife mastery is not difficult once we believe in its possibility and also desire to achieve it. Following are my top 25 principles for living a higher life and I hope you find them to be a helpful guide:

  1. Worry Less – Laugh More

  2. Sit Less – Move More

  3. Analyze Less – Feel More

  4. Text Less – Talk More

  5. Work Less – Volunteer More

  6. Complicate Less – Simplify More

  7. Rest Less – Sleep More

  8. Conceal Less – Discover More

  9. Discriminate Less – Understand More

  10. Complain Less – Appreciate More

  11. Consume Less – Give More

  12. Waste Less – Save More

  13. Think Less – Act More

  14. Abuse Less – Support More

  15. Eat Less – Taste More

  16. Critique Less – Love More

  17. Follow Less – Lead More

  18. Amuse Less – Learn More

  19. Blame Less – Value More

  20. Control Less – Flow More

  21. Doubt Less -Trust More

  22. Hesitate Less – Risk More

  23. Watch Less – Read More

  24. Resist Less – Accept More

  25. Plead Less – Pray More

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TO WHERE SHOULD I RETIRE?

 

Knowing when to retire is a challenge in itself, but deciding where you want to live in your encore years can be equally perplexing.  One option is to stay right where you are (known as “aging in place”), but keep in mind your present home could become a financial burden in the distant future. Also, your current accommodations may need some structural changes if mobility ever becomes an issue.

Relocation always seems like an attractive option but this too will require some deep analysis. Are you wanting to be near your grandchildren, aging parents or your own children?  Or do you simply want to run away to the mountains, to warm beaches or even to an urban center with lots of cultural and entertainment choices. For some, a second home could prove to be a good interim choice allowing more time to check out the area before making the final leap.

Obviously, one size does not fit all – both financially and emotionally. It is imperative, however, that you and your spouse are on the same page and that you also have some discussions with friends and family before making any major decisions. Even the location and quality of medical services needs to be factored into the relocation equation.

Knowledge is king if you are seriously planning a move in retirement.  Fortunately, abundant information can be found on the websites of US News and World Report, Forbes, AARP, Kiplinger and Money Magazine.  They all provide reports covering  topics as diverse as:  Bargain Places to Live, Best Places for Military Vets, Best Towns for Wine Lovers, Places with the Youngest & Oldest Populations, Terrific Towns for Second Careers,  Sunniest Places to Retire, Most Affordable Mountain Towns, etc.  Again, doing your homework beforehand will make a huge difference in choosing the place that ideally matches your real needs and desires.

 

 

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HAVING NO REGRETS

I think most of us can recall FDR’s famous quote “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But his less well known quote is “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”

This resonates with me because coaching new retirees always involves hearing about their “doubts of today.” And sadly, these fears and uncertainties will often lead to their “regrets of tomorrow.” If, however,  they could overcome their present doubts they would likely find their future lives to be much more fulfilled.

Most of us would agree that at the end of our life we’d like to go back and re-do a few things that could have been changed – maybe spend less time at the office to make more time for ourselves and our families, taken our studies more seriously, made better career choices, etc.

And while these are important considerations, these are not the main reflections of those at the end of their lives. According to palliative expert Bonnie Ware, the top five regrets of the dying are:

1. I wish I’d lived a life true to myself,  not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish I had let myself be happier.

And I’d like to add that Nadine Stair on her 84th birthday said, “I wish I had waded in more mud puddles”.

Living with no regrets places the responsibility upon us, not just to decide what we want out of life but to then go and live it. Since we have a finite timetable for life, why not decide today what risks we are willing to take and then begin the process of taking them. Why not reframe our current fears and self-doubts into a more positive and optimistic outlook for the future.

So will we answer this question for ourselves, or will we let others answer it for us? Will we act out of fear or out of courage? If we decide to go for it, what will It be? What do we want the rest of our life to look and feel like?

Now would be a good time to answer these questions.  The choice is ours . . . to be able to look back one day at our life without any regrets at all!

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ATTAINING INNER PEACE

Hugging the CoastOur objective should not be to eliminate all unhappiness but rather to balance it with increased opportunity for joy. Buddha may have reminded us, A hundred loves, a hundred losses. No loves, no losses, but are we prepared to abandon the potential for love because we fear the potential for loss?

Would there be any value in giving up our rights to search for a single sliver of happiness because we must first dig through a mountain of sadness to locate it? For that matter, would we not search for truth because it is hidden among deceit? Or would we not seek honor because we feel that it is surrounded by contempt? Or not seek courage because it is covered with cowardice? Or not seek morality because it is shrouded within an immoral society?

Happiness is ours to discover despite the deterrents that stand in our way; it is our human right to be elated despite a world that flagrantly flaunts its despairing side. Our purpose, therefore, is to strive toward a sense of internal peace within ourselves.

This does not mean that we will live in perfect contentment but rather we will be contented with ourselves. The difference is that the former implies an unrealistic, stress free state of consciousness while the latter implies that we are in conscious control of our state of gratification.

We will feel it is possible to rise above the vagaries of unhappiness that may surround us. We will resist the feeling of being dragged into a maelstrom of discontentment because we will see ourselves as the calm center of the storm. And our joy will abound through our sense of calm purpose being recognized and lived through our daily actions.  Inner peace then becomes our right and our choice.

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KEEP IT SIMPLE

No Cares jpgFor some baffling reason, we have gotten caught up in an insatiable need for more stuff – from clothes, cars, houses, electronic gadgets, toys, furniture and fixtures to new hairdos, pedicures and tummy tucks. We want to possess everything imaginable and never seem to be content anymore with the basics. According to comedian George Carlin, we even need to own stuff to put our stuff into. We like to take our stuff with us wherever we go, and when we get there we have to buy more stuff so we can take it home to be with other stuff!

Our fascination with stuff, however, is not the problem. It is the lifestyle that we must pursue to acquire, maintain and manage our stuff.  All of this stuff is the antithesis to a sane, balanced and purposeful life. While we tend to believe that our happiness emanates from our possessions it is, in fact, these same possessions that become the bane and curse to a joyful and meaningful life. According to Elaine St. James, Wise men and women in every major culture throughout history have found that the secret to happiness is not in getting more but in wanting less. Only when we make it our purpose to not make stuff the measure of our contentment, will we truly understand how simply beautiful (and beautifully simple) life can be lived.

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LIVE IN THE NOW

Purpose Image 4Future time is really no more valuable to our happiness and success than is our Past time, since Future time exists only in our minds, hopes and dreams. Like Past time, Future time is not even occurring in our lives; these times are either coming or they’ve already went, but they’re not happening right now which is where our lives are – Right Now! Kay Lyons said it best, Yesterday is a canceled check; Tomorrow is only a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely.  This means that there is only one time that is relevant to our happiness and fulfillment of a meaningful life – The Present!

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HAPPINESS IS SIMPLE

There is rarely any need for us to concentrate on matters that take us off the various pathways to happiness. But invariably, we do stray! The principal reason is from the clutter that we accumulate in our minds from our complicated, covetous lifestyles. The effects of the material world that we live in are anaesthetizing to our real Purpose and pursuit of happiness. Matthew 16:26 warns us of the fate of losing our chief Purpose in living: For what has a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

The point is that we are literally losing our way in the world with our mindless attention to insignificant matters and materialism. For enduring happiness, we must let go of all of the extraneous pursuits of life that conflict with what is really important to us. If we could only learn to live with an austere attention to what is significant and abandon all that is the antithesis to a quality life, we could rediscover our sense of Purpose and our true sense of happiness. The indispensable key for each of us is to keep life focused and simple. As a collective society we have thus far failed to realize this, but we still maintain our individual right to do so . . . to march to a different drummer.

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OVERCOMING LIFE’S UNFAIRNESS

Who said life has to be fair, kind and nice to us? Life can be difficult, and the sooner we recognize and accept this fact, the easier our life will become. In fact, just acknowledging this statement somehow makes life’s burdens easier for us to bear. As humans we crave perfection of ourselves, of others and of the world in which we live. We wish not to see death, famine or disease. We even wish that we would never run out of gas, get fat or have our children talk back to us. But this is not the way life works. The entire universe is very much out of our control. Living with these constant imperfections frustrates us. However, once we accept the premise that life is difficult, that life’s events are not always going to be in our control, then we can relax, learn to accept instead of resist and get on with the creative, intelligent management of our lives. To overcome the burden of having to constantly deal with the unfairness of life, we must first, accept this unfairness and second, rationalize how we are going to deal with it. We cannot let life’s unfairness defeat us. Rather, we need to conquer these unfair situations by designing our own set of responses to them. Life’s events may largely be out of our control, but we do have control over ourselves.

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WHAT IS THE SIMPLE LIFE?

A simple life is where we are simply living! It is nothing more and nothing less. When we are in touch with just the simple process of living, relishing in the uncomplicated pleasures that are abundantly available to us, we will find the inner peace that we are seeking.

A simple life focuses on what we do have rather than being critical of what we don’t have. It finds less joy in material possessions and greater joy in natural wonders, hearty laughter, warm embraces, stimulating conversations and long walks in the woods. It values ideas over things, peaceful meditation over argumentative debates, reading over television, quiet solitude over pushy crowds and lasting trends over temporary fads.

The simple life favors giving more than receiving. It is to live humbly with pride, rather than ostentatiously without virtue. A simple life knows what is most important, content with the quiet conviction of lasting principals.

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TOO MUCH STUFF

Chill OutOur fascination with stuff is not the problem. It is the lifestyle that we must pursue to acquire, maintain and manage our stuff.  All of this stuff is the antithesis to a sane, balanced and purposeful life. While we tend to believe that our happiness emanates from our possessions it is, in fact, these same possessions that become the bane and curse to a joyful and meaningful life.

According to Elaine St. James, Wise men and women in every major culture throughout history have found that the secret to happiness is not in getting more but in wanting less.

Only when we make it our Purpose to not make stuff the measure of our contentment, will we truly understand how simply beautiful (and beautifully simple) life can be lived.

Thinking and living simply is not a character flaw, a weakness of drive and ambition; rather, it is vigorous, inspiring, courageous and reflective of our conviction of Purpose. Life and happiness is not made from stuff; it is a state of mind, made from the interwoven fabric of purposeful attitudes and the belief that life, in itself and by itself, is sufficient and plentiful. Our most meaningful rewards in life will always be the simplest ones.

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RUNNING ON EMPTY

Do you feel you are running through life like Forrest Gump? Simply running without knowing why you are running or to where you are running?  And running in a rat race that never seems to have a finish line?  Feeling like you are running on empty most of the day?

There is a simple reason for that: You are more preoccupied with doing life than living life. You are consumed with the Busyness of life rather than the Purpose of it. Maybe today would be a good time to stop focusing on Human Doing and instead focus on Human Being.