The year is 2013 and you are looking back on the past 10 years of your life…evaluating…wondering…how did I do?
Did I make a difference? We all want to know that we are here for a reason, and that we matter. Everyone searches for a life of meaning in one way or another. People are thinking about it even if they never act on it.
Did I live my purpose? What did you do with the time that was given you? When people discover the purpose of their lives, priorities often change. Maybe you know someone who has changed careers in order to pursue a different life. Knowing why you are here, and what you are here to do is not just important it’s essential for long term happiness.
What was the meaning of the past 10 years of your life?
Everyone in the world wants to be happy, but for many people it seems impossible to achieve. If you ask parents around the world what would be their one wish for their children, the answer you would hear close to 100% of the time is “I just want them to be happy.” They aren’t referring to the momentary happiness that comes from buying more stuff or the latest iPhone app. It’s a much deeper wish….a wish for a life time of happiness for their children.
Most people miss out on being truly happy because they never discover their life purpose. We all want to know that we are unique, important, and special. But for people who are living self focused, and self absorbed lives, happiness is elusive. Feelings of emptiness, or that something’s missing is what fills the time that isn’t occupied with meaningless to do lists, schedules, routines and busyness. Is the hectic, crazy life just there to keep deeper levels of emotions away? Many people have an illusion that they can control their emotional life by just staying busy. Its doesn’t work that way, and these unwelcome feelings persist.
Are you a human doing, or a human being? For many of us, one of the worst things to have is quiet time alone because then the feelings of emptiness and life dissatisfaction can be overwhelming. If this is you, then it’s a sign that something in your life needs to change. The next step would be to find the courage to change it.
We all have courage. Can you find 20 seconds of courage regularly throughout the day? You can because it’s there inside all of us. Your life can change 20 seconds at a time with a new decision. Will you make a new decision today?
Happiness is never found in the momentary pleasures of more things that money can buy. That’s why so many mega lottery winners wind up broke and unhappy within two years. The Hollywood model of fame and fortune is filled with the relentless unhappiness of multiple divorces, drug and alcohol addictions, and wondering “who isn’t interested in using me and taking from me.”
Believing that happiness is found in the pursuit of more achievement and stuff can provide moments of pleasure, but it’s all superficial fluff. It doesn’t keep the emptiness away. Digging deep, just below the surface there’s underlying sadness, and regret. Most people will fill their lives with the most unimportant things in order to avoid feeling that way.
If it’s not about me, what’s life about? According to Human Needs Psychology, the only way to feel fulfilled is to grow and contribute beyond ourselves. For some people, lifelong learning for the purpose of sharing their wisdom is enough to make their hearts sing. What causes your creativity to flow? What makes your heart sing? What do you like to do that causes time to fly by?
We all know people who make us feel good when we are around them. Can you make a stranger smile today? Can you give someone a gift by your words that they will remember and cherish? Imagine what that might be…
How do you feel about your future? What do you imagine your life to be like 10 years from now? If you know that your life is filled with purpose, you can easily imagine a bright future. The sense of aliveness with how you can contribute to that purpose is a motivating force for so many who have discovered their “why.”
It’s all in your hands. What do you want the next 10 years of your life to be like? When you look back… Will you have lived fully? Will you have loved completely? Will you have found your purpose? Your true happiness is really just a side effect, or a byproduct of living your purpose. You can wake up every day feeling happy no matter what the circumstances. Will you write a new chapter in your life, or continue your old story? Every day you lose another chance to make your life the incredible adventure you deserve. Pretty soon you run out of days. Decide!
Jeff Forte CSIC CME founder of Peak Results Coaching is an Executive Life Coach with a private practice located in Glastonbury CT. His 20 years of work with Executives and Business Professionals provide him with unique insight and immediate solutions to today’s challenges in business, personal lives and relationships. Most people say they want to change something in their life, or fix their relationship, but they go through their whole lives without doing it. To schedule a complimentary conversation call 860-633-8555 or email [email protected]