April 4th, 2018
Whens The Ends Are The Means
We often believe that happiness is the result of success.
In other words, in order to be happy, we must first achieve success - the success must come first.
(And success may be substituted with a variety of different things: money, fame, power... you get the idea.)
But what if the "ends" we are trying to achieve - the destinations we are trying to get to - are the means themselves?
Indeed, isn't to be happy to be successful?
If happiness is the goal, you can cut out the "middleman" things between yourself and happiness and choose happiness in this moment.
It is not always easy, but it is always a choice.
In my life, I am thinking about how I want to apply this to Peace and Fulfillment.
I often fall into the trap of believing that I must first rid my life of all turbulence before I can find peace. But waiting and hoping for a life free of disturbance is unrealistic... and I miss the opportunity to exercise my choice in choosing peace NOW - no matter what is or is not going on.
The same is true with believing that I need a certain grade/ career/ relationship/ etc. before I can feel fulfilled. I can choose to feel fulfilled in this very moment. I can choose to make this moment a fulfilling, soul-nourishing one.
What state of feeling or being are you seeking?
What do you believe "needs" to happen before you feel that way?
How can you choose this state of being or feeling right now?
PS This concept also applies to desires: if you want a fancy car, it is helpful to ask what the underlying feelings you are trying to achieve (confidence, independence, acceptance) are and choose to feel those things right now.
Don't put off living the way you want to live.
Whens The Ends Are The Means
We often believe that happiness is the result of success.
In other words, in order to be happy, we must first achieve success - the success must come first.
(And success may be substituted with a variety of different things: money, fame, power... you get the idea.)
But what if the "ends" we are trying to achieve - the destinations we are trying to get to - are the means themselves?
Indeed, isn't to be happy to be successful?
If happiness is the goal, you can cut out the "middleman" things between yourself and happiness and choose happiness in this moment.
It is not always easy, but it is always a choice.
In my life, I am thinking about how I want to apply this to Peace and Fulfillment.
I often fall into the trap of believing that I must first rid my life of all turbulence before I can find peace. But waiting and hoping for a life free of disturbance is unrealistic... and I miss the opportunity to exercise my choice in choosing peace NOW - no matter what is or is not going on.
The same is true with believing that I need a certain grade/ career/ relationship/ etc. before I can feel fulfilled. I can choose to feel fulfilled in this very moment. I can choose to make this moment a fulfilling, soul-nourishing one.
What state of feeling or being are you seeking?
What do you believe "needs" to happen before you feel that way?
How can you choose this state of being or feeling right now?
PS This concept also applies to desires: if you want a fancy car, it is helpful to ask what the underlying feelings you are trying to achieve (confidence, independence, acceptance) are and choose to feel those things right now.
Don't put off living the way you want to live.
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