Mitchman's Blog

We are bombarded with message everyday about how to improve our life, make more money, take more vacations, buy a bigger house, and the list goes on and on.  What are they are really trying to sell us here?  Why are we so enticed by their offers?  I think we long to fill our lives with all this stuff, because we are searching for happiness.  A few years ago John Stossel, from ABC’s 20/20 did a primetime special on Happiness. 

 

In the program he interviewed a dozen lottery winners and asked them if they were happier now that they were millionaires.  The answers were rather surprising, NO!  Many of them were actually worse off with the money than without.  There is a major misconception about money.  It does not bring the happiness we hope it will.  Instead it tends to complicate our life.  My dad always told me, “Money does not make you happy, but it does make life livable.”  What these lottery winners learned is that money brought out the worst in other people.  People became greedy and waned large sums of money based solely on their long-term friendship with the lottery winner.  In one case it even led to murder. 

 

This primetime special got me to thinking.  What makes me happy?  Can you buy it?  If not, how do you define happiness for yourself?  What I have discovered is that we all define happiness differently, but it all comes down to three things.

 

Someone To Love

 

 

We all need someone to love.  Who that loved one is can be anyone, a spouse, a friend, a child, or a family member.  We are all wired to have an emotional connection to other people.  We long to interact with other people.  To be encouraged, challenged or even inspired by that relationship. I have been very blessed in my life to have many people to love; from parents and siblings to 25 nieces and nephews, from colleagues and friends and everyone in between.  I have great love in my life.  Love stimulates us, encourages us and gives the will to live or just make through a rough patch in our life.  It is during those times that our loved ones come to our rescue as we do for them in their time of need.

 

Something To Do

 

 

We all need something to do.  Something productive that challenges our minds and keeps us busy.  It can be hobby, a job, volunteer work, or just a personal passion for a subject or cause.  People need to stay busy.  Rest is important, but rest is what we do in between our busy times.  If you feel yourself falling into a funk, take up a new hobby or start a new project.  Something to do gives our life meaning.  It validates our existence.  You will feel that you are contributing to something larger than yourself.  If you really want to challenge yourself volunteer for Habitat for Humanity or a homeless shelter.  Projects like this allow you to touch the lives of other people, do a good deed, and perhaps find new people to love.

 

Something To Look Forward To

 

 

The final secret to happiness is having something to look forward to.  I love taking last minute trips on the weekend.  They are always fun, but they are short term and end too quickly.  So, I plan a big trip at least once a year.  I plan 6 to 8 months in advance and let the countdown begin.  When I am stressed at work or life has dealt me a bad hand, I can always look past my current situation to that vacation.  I picture myself sipping a Pina Colada on a white beach looking out on the ocean on a beautiful day.  Did I just loose you to that image?  Okay, try to stay focused here.  It does not have to be an extravagant trip.  It could be a three-day weekend or a Holiday with friends and family.  It just needs to be something that you can look forward to when life gets overwhelming.

 

I am sure there are many other ways to find happiness, but this has been my secret.  I believe having these three things in your life at all times will keep your head above water during the turbulent storms of life.  It will also affirm a life worth living when times are tough.  These also serve as ways to give thanks for all that you have been blessed with in your life. Remind the ones you love why they are so special to you.  They would love to hear it! Until NEXT TIME AMERICAN…YOU KNOW THE DEAL, KEEP IT REAL!