Life isn't about Happiness

We are not living the Pursuit of Happiness. People who strive their whole lives to 'find happiness' are just wasting their time. It is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So if our lives aren't about being happy, why do we continually make decisions based on what will make us happy?

Philippians 2:3-4 says 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others about yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the other.' In case you missed it, it's saying my life isn't about me. I didn't put myself on this earth, God did. When I was younger, I got a giant doll house for my birthday. It was literally as tall as I was and I got to arrange the furniture, play with the little dolls, and imagine a world any way I wanted to. I was in total control. I can't even imagine how upset I would have been if my little figurines started moving themselves around like they could do whatever they wanted. I was definitely the ruler of the doll village, not the dolls.

Sometimes it's easier for me to understand how my life isn't about me when it's in the context of it was never 'my' life to begin with. God's plan for me is why I'm here and I passionately believe I need to help others instead of helping myself. Figuring out my life trajectory should be answering how can I help others get ahead instead of how I can get ahead. I don't need to even ponder what I can do that would make me happy, it's all about what can I do that will help people the most. I am a child of the Creator of the universe, so obviously I plan on changing the world with God. But nothing will happen until I get myself out of the way and start putting others interests ahead of my own.

I always knew I wanted a career doing thing that would help other people. I'm not as completely selfish as I may come off. My disconnect is where I thought building myself up and gaining power is how I could turn around and help people the most. The most influential people in the world are never the ones who make the biggest impact on people. Consider the Wright brothers. They were underqualified, underfunded, and undereducation. But it was their determination that lead them to learn how to fly. That one invention has impacted people all over the globe and changed everyone's world. I don't need to be a CEO of a fortune 500 company, or the president of the US, or some global chairman. All it takes to change the world is the determination to help others.

After college, there is an abundance of freedom. Not only in your daily activities, but in your direction. There is no specific path that you have to follow, or uniform structure to how things should pan out. This is the time when we have our chance to make life anything we want. Unfortunately, the majority of people I've met have decided that all they want from life is to be 'happy.' No offense, or maybe a little offense, but that is the biggest waste of a life goal there is. At your funeral, the one thing people will say about you was 'Oh well at least she was happy!' Absolutely not. I refuse to waste the one chance I have to make a difference in the world on a selfish ambition.

The Secret to Success

I believe that deep down, every person has a desire to be successful. Unfortunately, I keep coming to the realization that not everyone achieves this potential. So for all you success junkies and failure relapsers, I've done a little research and decided to let you in on the secret to success.

1) Be Upright:

Proverbs 2:7 says 'He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk it blameless.' So it is quite obvious that to be successful, we much first be considered 'upright.' Well what does it mean to be upright? It means to 'fear the Lord' (Proverbs 14:2), avoid evil (Proverbs 16:17), and have goodwill/seek reconciliation (Proverbs 14:9).

2) Rejoice:

Psalms 107:42 says 'The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.' It's exciting when things go the way you anticipate, when you make accurate decisions and predictions. When the God who created our tiny minds send us some express blessings, a thank you card/pray is definitely appropriate. 

3) Have Advisers:

'Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.' Proverbs 15:22. Maybe it is just me, but this seems pretty straight forward. We are not created to be a one man show. We need those real life angels and devils to sit on our shoulders and help us reason through decisions. Surround yourself with wise people who you know will be honest, and your chances of reaching your potential will dramatically increase. 

4) Avoid Evil:

'The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.' Proverbs 16:17. I understand this is easier said than done. But this is why I'm not writing about a 'get-rich-quick scheme' or a 'success in under 5 minutes' blog. It is a everyday, rain or shine, good hair bad hair continual decision that never stops. Choosing to avoid evil should become a habit, like eating food. We know we will have to eat food for the rest of our lives, so we do it three times a day and understand how to chew. Same recipe applies to fending off the wicked: practice three times a day. 

5) Reconcile:

‘Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.’ Proverbs 14:9. However badly you want to believe that the television stars who scheme and manipulate people to climb to the top understand success, it isn’t real life. People have to like you if they are going to support you. Don’t even let a favor go unnoticed, miscommunication go unclarified, advise go unthanked, and wisdom go stale.