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What’s your ultimate happiness?

3/21/2013

12 Comments

 
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     Everyone has a different response to this question. But there are also quite a few that collate with similar answers, like having enough money, quitting the job and focus on hobbies, living somewhere exotic, focusing on family only, and traveling the world. There’s nothing wrong with any of those answers, but there are also a fair few that might say that the objective of saving people or animals over their own wants is inevitably their ultimate happiness. While that’s brilliant, inspiring and quite challenging, it’s not the honest answer of the majority of the world. Truth is, the world is selfish. The whole point of this post is to make you think... not to feel bad. Because if you think about the actual true answer to your ultimate happiness, you may surprise yourself by realizing how selfish you are as well. However, the catalyst is when the good in you begins to override the temptations of selfishness within you.
     Ponder on the idea, what if you received everything you would ever need and want, and every resource and every moment on this earth is completely free to you, to use however you please. Would you begin to think of all of the things you could do and the places you could see? Do you think this would keep you happy forever? Or do you feel as though helping others is your ultimate objective in life? If so, then there may very well be hope for this world after all.
     This morning I began to think that if I could have my way about anything and everything that I please, and have the ability to mold my current existence, my future and the influence that I have during my time here. As you might guess, the first thoughts that crept up were all about me and my own agenda. But a few moments after my glorious dreamscape of selfish fantasy, the inner-drive of wanting to do good overcame me and I started to think what I would do if I had the means to change the lives of so many much needier than myself. After quite a bit of thought while laying in bed this morning, I came to the conclusion that all I need to be happy is the chance to put forth effort to make a true difference – although, having the resources to make a much larger difference will always be welcome. Lord knows that all the effort in the world can only go so far, without proper resources. So, if working hard for the rest of my life meant that I would be living in a tiny shack somewhere, unknown, alone, yet all of my work paid off into completely changing other people’s lives, then that’s all I really need.
     The truth is that no one in the world will have everything they could need and want, so the point is to connect with your inner good and make what effort you can – now, and so forth. For reaching for your inner good is about making peace with your ego, realizing what’s most important, and accepting the humbling of yourself, which therefore connects you with your ultimate happiness.
(Photo by Trey Ratcliff)
12 Comments
Beckyt
3/24/2013 08:04:55 am

Never thought of it like that. So I guess I am selfish to a point. I would love to retire soon from my current field and just focus on being a creative. I love photographer I would love to be able to supplement my retirement with my photography. I also will most likely volunteer to help my community.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 12:49:32 pm

Follow your passion! If photography is a something that you would like to utilize as income in the future, then start perfecting now. This will be very beneficial to you. :) Good luck with everything that you pursue.

Reply
M.Lane link
3/24/2013 01:26:19 pm

Nice post. I judge my ultimate happiness every day---some days I feel like I'm holding it in my hands and some days it seems off in a fog. I usually feel close to it when my son is near and we get to do something together. Nice blog!

ML

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 12:53:22 pm

Thank you! Children are most certainly a blessing, and I can see where having them close would make you feel an excessive amount of happiness. :)

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Edward link
3/24/2013 01:33:03 pm

It take a bit to discover the virtue of selfishness, because the media and "powers" have been telling us for years that it is BAD and EVIL to be selfish. But virtue absolutely MUST start with honoring yourself. This is where your true nature lies. Read Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. You will become a better person *and* a better global citizen!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 01:01:06 pm

I love this comment. It is very true. I do believe that honoring yourself is where a person's true nature lies.

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Jo (The Blond) link
4/18/2013 01:16:41 am

Great article. I've read an interview with a psychologist recently, who said that we complaint about our jobs, our life in general etc, but most of them are our own choices and it's up to us what we make of our lives and we shouldn't complaint because we sit in an office all the time - this is what we chose, it's our own fault. I thought it was quite a wise thing to say. Therefore, I need to stop complaining and make better choices :)

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 01:04:56 pm

Thank you. I couldn't agree with you more. I think that we are the master of our own destiny and we have the power to be happy and do what makes us happy.

Reply
Rajam link
6/13/2013 03:34:37 pm

Great post Brandon, really gets the wheels spinning. The title of the article asks, "What's your ultimate happiness"? In a sense, that question is unanswerable- the idea of happiness is an ongoing experience and it can't reside in a specific thing, such as having enough time, material possessions, job, etc. Happiness is a state of mind and the state of mind, like the ocean, has its own ebb and flow.

I do believe there is a sense of well being we can get when we are satisfied in our lives- I don't mean satisfied that it's enough- but satisfied in the feeling that we are at a point where we would be okay if we were to die today, that would be okay- that we've scratched that itch. Still, I don't mean to say that I don't have things I would like to do or be a part of, but I feel very content in my life, that I've had and am still having a good experience and if I were to pass this evening, I would be okay- I have no regrets, that is what makes me happy.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 01:15:19 pm

It is wonderful to hear that you are very confident with where you are in life. Hearing such positive things is a reminder that happiness can be achieved. We will always have things we want, or want to do however, knowing that you are sufficient if those things didn't happen right away...you would be ok.

Reply
Erin link
10/30/2013 12:43:21 pm

So very true, isn't it? The more you're wrapped around your ego and what you can get, the more difficult life seems even if you get what you *think* you want. In doing so, you have to keep up appearances ALL the time, which is basically living a lie.

I'm a firm believer than circumstances and people in life mirror back to you what you need to grow. Growth is always rooted in love, and there is no happiness where love doesn't exist. The ultimate purpose in life is to learn to love unconditionally, and for whatever reason, we find it easier to love others more than ourselves. Through loving others, giving of ourselves honestly and humbly to help them, we learn to love them in spite of their *faults*. And in learning to love others this way, we learn to love ourselves that way....unconditionally. And once you do this, you can live anywhere, in any circumstance, and be truly, honestly happy. Thanks for the thought provoking post. I'm going to think on this some more.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/10/2014 01:20:02 pm

You are right on in regards to growth being rooted in love! Happiness include love on many levels, not just intimately.

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