Sep 14, 2020
What is Happiness?
Late last night I was listening to an interesting audio
compilation from Earl Nightingale.
The title was How to be Happy “before" Success…
Earl Nightingale, for those of you new to personal
development, was a well known personal development thought leader
recognized for his Gold Record, The Strangest Secret amount
other things.
I enjoyed all the amazing insights that he shared, but
ultimately there were a few key points I thought it might
be nice to highlight for you today.
But first, here is a couple of his well know quotes on
happiness…
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it
will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."
"Success (Happiness) is the progressive realization of
a worthy ideal.”
“Learn to enjoy
every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something
outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how
really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work
or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and
savored.”
Earl, in his audio, asked the question…Would you like to know
how to be Happy?
He said so many people are chasing a destination, and yet
happiness is within your reach every single day. Ultimately
we are truly seeking positive emotions in life and emotions are
simply a state of being that you can control.
He went on to say that one of the most brilliant men
of our time is a guy named John Stuart Mill and John had some
great wisdom when it comes to happiness.
John Stuart Mill said, “those only are happy that
have their minds fixed on some object other than their own
happiness.; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of
mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but
as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus
at something else, they find happiness by the
way.”
I think this if a very good point to bring up, because it
seems to me that most of us are not living the happiest versions of
our lives due to problems, situations, circumstances and things
that are almost entirely about…US. I’ve found that when I
take the focus off myself and direct it toward others, happiness
has a funny way of finding you.
My Partner Robert Stuberg mentions that the the Founding
Fathers of the Constitution may have done us a disservice by
putting these words in the constitution….
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that amount these are Life, Liberty and
the PURSUIT of Happiness…
I really think that the key to Happiness is to stop
chasing it and start living your life in service to others.
Ironically enough, this is also a massive key to
success.
Finding and identifying your Unique Talent and sharing it with
the world is the surest recipe for both Success and Happiness.
(see UT definition)
When you simply take your talents and find ways to fill needs
and serve others, you will find a huge amount of satisfaction,
happiness, and frankly success.
Think back to times in your life when you were the happiest.
Most likely, these are times that you were sharing, serving
or focused on others and not yourself. I challenge you to
shift your focus toward others rather than yourself.
Jim Carrey was giving a commencement address one time and was
quoted as saying, “I think everybody should get rich and
famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that
it’s no the answer to happiness.”
I could go on and on, but the ultimate thought I
want to leave you with is this…
The key to Fulfillment in this life is not Having
what you want, it's wanting what you have. Its also about
leaving to accept and embrace that idea
that…
It's not about Achieving Happiness, it’s about
Happily Achieving.
It’s not easy with all the distractions and
competition in the world, but if you will simply remember
to take the focus off you and place it on others, I think you
will see much greater happiness in your life.
Earl Nightingale got it right when he said How to be
Happy BEFORE Success will ultimately bring you both.
Thanks for listening. Have a great
week.
George Wright III