The reason I started blogging on this site was not to instruct others on how to improve their lives but instead to learn how to improve my own.  My sister and my son-in-law are already helping me in that regard.  They read my original "creating happiness" blog and made some really great comments.  I wanted to add those thoughts to this revised blog and integrate them into the original philosophy.

 

1)  My sister pointed out that she believes that we will always want more of what we consider will make us happy no matter how much of it we get.  It is her hypothesis that the person who is always motivated to improving their life will almost by definition never achieve true happiness.  They will always have a feeling of wanting more because that is their driving personality style.  I think she is correct.  I also think this is the way it is supposed to be.  We should always push to improve elements of our lives to improve our happiness quotient and our quality of life and we are never supposed to achieve it.  I think of this as a gauge on a car where over to the far left is depression and to the far right is utopia.  In between are varying levels of satisfaction and then happiness.  Certainly we cannot deny that some people are happier and have a better life than others.   We also know that in THIS world utopia does not exist.  But that should not stop us from trying to get the needle as far to the right as possible.

 

2)  My son-in-law who is way wiser than his age would suggest, has said that he feels that happiness comes through relationships with friends, family  and loved ones not through other more materialistcally motivated pursuits.  I agree with him.  I do want to say a couple of things here however.  We should not be ashamed of trying to improve ALL aspects of our lives.  We should not be ashamed of trying to make more money or lose weight or spiritual pursuits.  I sometimes think we are almost conditioned to believe that some of these more "self" directed pursuits are some how shameful or less than pure.  I think the key here becomes balance.  Driving toward any one life goal at the expense of others is not going to wind up pushing the needle further to the right.

 

Lastly I want to say that I have just begun reading the book "The Power of Intention".  It almost feels like divine intervention that this book came to my attention just as I started this blog.  For me, this book seems to make the world of science interweave with the much un-explained spiritual side of my life.  It sort of all makes sense.  Read it if you get the chance!

Someone sent this to me in email but I thought it was a good message so I am posting it here for your viewing pleasure.

 

     A-void negative sources, people, things and habits.

    B-elieve in yourself.

    C-onsider things from every angle.

    D-on't give up and don't give in.

    E-njoy life today: yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

    F-amily and friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their

       riches.

    G-ive more than you planned to give.

    H-ang on to your dreams.

    I-gnore those who try to discourage you.

    J-ust do it.

    K-eep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. IT WILL GET BETTER!

    L-ove yourself first and foremost.

    M-ake it happen!!!!!!!!!!!

    N-ever lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.

    O-pen your eyes and see things as they really are.

    P-ractice makes perfect.

    Q-uiters never win and winners never quit.

    R-ead, study and learn about everything important in your life.

    S-top procrastinating.

    T-ake control of your destiny.

    U-nderstand yourself in order to better understand others.

    V-isualize it.

    W-ant it more than anything.

    X-ccelerate you efforts.

    Y-ou are unique of all of Nature's creations. Nothing can replace you.

    Z-ero in on your target, and go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see many people in my industry and my company who are clearly carrying around a lot of stress and they always seem to be in a rush.  It is not possible to keep up this kind of pace day in and day out year after year.  It is not in your best interest and it is certainly not in your employers best interest for you to work at this stress level.  In my experience most of this stress comes from too many action items and not enough time.  This long list of action items typically comes from the demands of your boss, your co-workers and your customers.  Here is the point however.  If you have committed to do something or many somethings that simply cannot be achieved in the amount of time available then this stressful situation is completely your fault.  You own your time and you own your committments in life.  I believe too many of us have forgtten the most powerful two letter word in the english language, the word "NO". 

 

Do not fall into the trap of thinking of your job in short segments, think of your job as a many year project.  As someone who is a majority owner and leader of a company I can tell you that I value long term consistent unwavering performance over short term spurts of brilliance followed by a big drop in performance while the person catches their breath.  You cannot allow others to own your life no matter who they are.  You must define a set of limits and you must communicate your capabilities with those around you.  You must get a little more organized and do a little more planning with regard to your life and your schedule.  It is my habit to use Sunday evenings to collect my thoughts and to put some priorities together for the upcoming week.  I don't try to plan out every minute but I identify the key priorities for thte week and make sure I focus on those things.  Distractions happen and there are always fires to put out but do not allow people to transfer a problem they are having with time management to you. 

 

I'll take a dedicated tortise that can always be counted on over a very quick rabbit that has no time.  Life is a marathon, not a sprint!