I was once ased to describe meaning vs. happiness. Others thought that the two concepts are mutually exclusive, where you can't lead a life of meaning and a life of happiness at the same time...that one has to be sacrificed for the other...
From my perspective…The meaning of life is like a road; it filters out the places where you don’t want to be and becomes a personal pathway for direction. It represents your pursuit and purpose. Though you may think you know where the road leads, when it ends and why it exists, you can only believe that it does. There are going to be unexpected obstacles that you’d have to dodge and overcome. And…there are going to be times where you will feel lost, try to find a map and want to jump off the road.
Happiness to me is the level in which you experience this road. It is the ‘how’ you feel when riding this road. Feeling adventurous? Drive it fast! Want to take it nice and slow? Turn on the soft music and feel the sun and the light breeze. It may be through smiling, touching, helping, laughing, and loving that you find happiness in this journey. To much degree, happiness is what you make out of your experiences, NOT what the experiences make you. And if you're ever questioning happiness, you're probably not experiencing it. It takes peace with yourself and with the world that allows you to find happiness
Though I’ve never believed I can ‘make a difference’ in this world, the fact is we influence others and at the same time are deeply influenced. My purpose in life is to have a positive impact on others.
If I can give a smile to have a joyless face smile back…
If I can deliver a massage to have a body free from aches and pain…
If I can provide an Excel solution so you will remember that I’m always here to help you…
If I can tickle so you can suddenly burst in laughter…
If I can wash your body and your hair so you can be clean as me…
If I can present you with the experience of yoga so you can find peace from within…
I will be happy. It gives me a sense of purpose and a feeling of happiness at the same time. I find happiness through others and realize that many times in life it’s the small things that count.
