In this post I want to pick up on the concept that I believe has a direct bearing on reaching and maintaining some variation of "HAPPINESS." I do believe that, ultimately, our Happiness is contingent on finding and living out our "PURPOSE." Just saying the word 'Purpose' opens the door for debate about all kinds of things like Origins, Intelligent Design, Creation vs. Evolution, etc. Regardless of our beliefs on these delicate issues, every thinking person would have to agree that there does seem to be some sort of "order" to the chaos we call "life on earth."
One of the most influential books of recent times (in reference to the millions who read and testify to being changed by the book) was written by Rick Warren and is titled "The Purpose Driven Life." Warren makes the simplest statements about how our life on earth is actually "DRIVEN" by our PURPOSE. Until we understand our Purpose (which has more to do with who we are than what we choose), our life will not make much sense. When our view of the world is primarily shaped by our opinion and how we "FEEL" about the multitude of events we are forced to evaluate, finding any resemblance of HAPPINESS will be very frustrating.
Our PURPOSE for existing is both objective and subjective. To suggest that we all appear one day on this cosmic planet just to find as much pleasure as possible is both short-sighted and self-consuming. I am reading a book called "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. He talks about how he once participated in a demonstration where President Bush was speaking. He joined with others to voice his dissatisfaction with Bush's policies in foreign countries where human rights were non-existent. Upon returning home Miller admits that he did not "FEEL" content about his participation in this "march" because he was not personally inconvenienced by his so-called stand. He states how he spends 95% of his time thinking about one thing -- HIM! I propose that this is the 'natural' world which all of us live in.
When our life-choices, attitudes, "feelings," etc. are primarily determined by this self-centric approach then "Happiness" will be determined by the next 'cause' or mission that we thrust ourselves into. Our emotions will be up and down, leaving us with a hollow existence that has difficulty with the deafening silence when our head is pillowed each night. We are very astute in taking care of both our needs and most of our wants. If our understanding of Happiness stems from having our personal desires met then we would probably evaluate ourselves as somewhat HAPPY. When things in our personal life start eroding (and they do), this thing called "Happiness" starts to seem hopeless. My encouragement in this practical, yet philosophical article is to propose that we can be "HAPPY" no matter what might we transpiring in our immediate situations.
Back to PURPOSE. Finding out exactly WHY we are here is a pursuit of the masses. In survey after survey people overwhelmingly say that if they could ask God anything at all it would be: "Why am I here?" Again, this verifies our 'self-consumption.' Wouldn't it be better to ask: "Since I am here (e.g. Descartes' philosophic breakthrough), how can I better the place I occupy on my short journey through life?" When we take this approach to life our perspectives become like a kaleidoscope (with the colors and everything!). We start responding to the opportunities that have been right in front of us for a long time. As time continues slipping into the future, personal gain and accumulation of stuff takes a back seat to the task of making our world a better place. In this pursuit, our PURPOSE will find us before we ever think about finding it! Inner peace, fulfillment, even contentment becomes our inner condition. Thus, happiness is so deeply entrenched in the totality of who we are that we don't have to ask or answer the question, "Are we HAPPY?" Our daily lives are the answer!
The journey continues...
One of the most influential books of recent times (in reference to the millions who read and testify to being changed by the book) was written by Rick Warren and is titled "The Purpose Driven Life." Warren makes the simplest statements about how our life on earth is actually "DRIVEN" by our PURPOSE. Until we understand our Purpose (which has more to do with who we are than what we choose), our life will not make much sense. When our view of the world is primarily shaped by our opinion and how we "FEEL" about the multitude of events we are forced to evaluate, finding any resemblance of HAPPINESS will be very frustrating.
Our PURPOSE for existing is both objective and subjective. To suggest that we all appear one day on this cosmic planet just to find as much pleasure as possible is both short-sighted and self-consuming. I am reading a book called "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. He talks about how he once participated in a demonstration where President Bush was speaking. He joined with others to voice his dissatisfaction with Bush's policies in foreign countries where human rights were non-existent. Upon returning home Miller admits that he did not "FEEL" content about his participation in this "march" because he was not personally inconvenienced by his so-called stand. He states how he spends 95% of his time thinking about one thing -- HIM! I propose that this is the 'natural' world which all of us live in.
When our life-choices, attitudes, "feelings," etc. are primarily determined by this self-centric approach then "Happiness" will be determined by the next 'cause' or mission that we thrust ourselves into. Our emotions will be up and down, leaving us with a hollow existence that has difficulty with the deafening silence when our head is pillowed each night. We are very astute in taking care of both our needs and most of our wants. If our understanding of Happiness stems from having our personal desires met then we would probably evaluate ourselves as somewhat HAPPY. When things in our personal life start eroding (and they do), this thing called "Happiness" starts to seem hopeless. My encouragement in this practical, yet philosophical article is to propose that we can be "HAPPY" no matter what might we transpiring in our immediate situations.
Back to PURPOSE. Finding out exactly WHY we are here is a pursuit of the masses. In survey after survey people overwhelmingly say that if they could ask God anything at all it would be: "Why am I here?" Again, this verifies our 'self-consumption.' Wouldn't it be better to ask: "Since I am here (e.g. Descartes' philosophic breakthrough), how can I better the place I occupy on my short journey through life?" When we take this approach to life our perspectives become like a kaleidoscope (with the colors and everything!). We start responding to the opportunities that have been right in front of us for a long time. As time continues slipping into the future, personal gain and accumulation of stuff takes a back seat to the task of making our world a better place. In this pursuit, our PURPOSE will find us before we ever think about finding it! Inner peace, fulfillment, even contentment becomes our inner condition. Thus, happiness is so deeply entrenched in the totality of who we are that we don't have to ask or answer the question, "Are we HAPPY?" Our daily lives are the answer!
The journey continues...
No comments:
Post a Comment