The other day, a new acquaintance and I talked about how new perspectives had shaped our lives and how these influences appeared when we needed them the most – as a source of inspiration or a solution to a challenge. We shared stories about chance meetings, bizarre “Kevin Bacon six degrees of separation” connections and found resources that helped us along our paths. Most people have had similar experiences and hold views on what causes them, whether spiritual, physical or psychological. Most agree they are not random.
I experienced this phenomenon while Christmas shopping. I was looking for a gift for a friend when The Happiness Project caught my eye. It was perfect because she is super positive and is devoted to self improvement.
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| *Rubin, Gretchen 2009 The Happiness Project, HarperCollins, N.Y., P. 85 |
Since I was not the only late holiday shopper, I waited in line for about twenty minutes, just enough time to get absorbed in the book. I came across a passage that spoke to me: “When I find myself focusing overmuch on the anticipated future happiness of arriving at a certain goal, I remind myself to ‘Enjoy now.’ If I can enjoy the present, I don’t need to count on the happiness that is (or isn’t) waiting for me in the future.”* I have recently been focusing all my efforts on my book’s launch without appreciating each step that will get me there; when the goal becomes your only goal, the present becomes subservient to the future and activities become things to complete versus things to enjoy. It’s time to rebalance my focus.
Coincidence? I think not. It turns out that The Happiness Project was a perfect gift for me.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Phil
