It said that truths are often forgotten only to be rediscovered in somewhat similar shape and form. Just look at happiness – one of the most studied topics in the history of human kind. We know more about happiness then about almost any other subject. Countless books have been written on the subject of happiness; and funny enough, some authors even tried giving a list of steps you need to do in order to be happy. Yet so many of us are unhappy.
The problem is that knowing and practicing are not the same thing. We all know that when hitter steps in batters box he should hit baseball out of ballpark. But give us a bat and we would look ridiculous while trying to do something we know so much about when we see it on TV. We allow our brains to simplify until the point where everything looks so easy, yet it becomes so hard when we actually need to do it.
If there was no distinction between knowing and practicing – being well-spoken would be inherent trait since we all talk. But, only few of us actually pay attention when speaking. Others are too busy thinking about problems of the past, expectations from the future and that video on YouTube they need to revisit and watch.
In this moment, if you allowed yourself to think and dream – you would find that you absolutely know in which direction you should head out in order to be happy. True enough, you also know doubts, uncertainties and obstacles that are keeping you from starting toward your goals and happiness.
It all comes down to asking yourself – will you stand up and bask in the light of doing or stay crouched in the dirt of knowing? Will you actually practice what you already understand? Will you commit yourself to refocusing your mind from distractions onto things that you truly care about? Will you allow yourself to be happy?
Indeed, mastery is definitely a key that could lead to happiness and to attain mastery would require extraordinary focus and persistence, which isn’t something that comes easily in a lot of people.
That said- what I came to learn is that happiness isn’t about an end goal. We will forever be seeking more in life after acquiring something. Hence-
The true path towards happiness is the enjoyment of the journey / process towards a life goal.
To put it in a more literal form, look at it this way.
As a student, one of the pathways towards happiness is acing your exam scores, right?
When you do, you are happy! Awesome!
What would happen next? You’d start to move onto the next thing that will make you happy. Maybe hobby. Then, you work on school even more and graduate. Move onto get a job, perhaps even find a life partner.
Now, it might not be the same for everyone but notice that we all WILL be achieving something as we move on in life- be it significant or not.
Then again, the significance level of our accomplishments would also be determined by yourself (Or society, if you do choose to go by their rules and expectations) but the point here?
Happiness = Enjoyment of the journey towards your life goal
When you look at your photo album of your graduation or even wedding- you reminisce about the good old times, don’t you? You’d be looking at the pictures but guess what?
You would recall the events that led up to the point of the photo being taken and then probably even recall what happened afterwards. The best memories are all in the journey, NOT the end goal.
Savior the moment and journey. Enjoy life’s happiness 😉
Awesome post here btw bud. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog. Keep up the good work!
I’m sure you will be hearing from me again hehe.
Your pal,
Benjamin
http://www.projectbiy.com
My personality governs my doing and most always my goals will end with a high standard of perfection if to be happy. The required labor and perseverance to accomplish what I determine is the happiness and the happiness is the satisfaction of achieving that standard of required perfection. When complete, to take a step back and recall those steps that led to this moment holds more value than the moment itself. Thinking of all those times I’ve been told, “you’re too hard on yourself.”