A Lasting State of Feeling Great
Chapter 65 of the book Self-Help Stuff That Works
by Adam Khan:
THE ENGLISH POET and clergyman Charles Kingsley wrote, "We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." He was right. When you have something to be enthusiastic about, you can be in a good mood almost all the time.
If your job doesn't make you enthusiastic, you're probably stressed or tired when you come home and just want to watch a little TV and relax. But relaxing will never make you feel happy and fully alive. Naturally, you could make plans to do something this weekend, and you might be thoroughly enthusiastic about it all week. But then Monday comes and back in the grind you go.
What you really need is something ongoing to be enthusiastic about. What you need is a challenging and compelling purpose.
Up until a century ago, simple survival provided just such a purpose for most people, and that's still the case in much of the world. But for most of us in this country, it's no longer a challenge to merely survive. We have tamed our world. More than likely, the only way you will ever be challenged by a compelling purpose is if you create one deliberately. And if this purpose is going to make you truly enthusiastic, it needs to be something that personally compels you - some subject or task you think is fascinating or feel is vitally important.
Pursue your purpose with vigor and you will be in a good mood most of the time. Things that bother most people won't bother you as much. You'll still have your ups and downs, but they will occur in a higher range. You'll still have to deal with problems, but you will handle them better. And your improved attitude will make your relationships happier and more harmonious. When you have something ongoing in your life that you are enthusiastic about, the quality of your life is better.
Pursuing a purpose is not comfortable, restful or easy. But it's great fun! It makes life deeply enjoyable. Watching TV is enticing, sure. It calls. It beckons. But it won't fulfill you or make you happy. A purpose will.
Find a purpose you're enthusiastic about and get to it.
What is more fun: Things that require the expenditure of resources like material and electricity and gas? Or self-powered activities?
Burn Your Own BTUs
Competition doesn't have to be an ugly affair. In fact, from at least one perspective, it is the finest force for good in the world.
The Spirit of the Games
Achieving goals is sometimes difficult. When you feel discouraged, check this chapter out. There are three things you can do to make the achievement of your goals more likely.
Do You Want to Give Up?
Some tasks are just plain boring and yet they have to be done. Washing the dishes, for example. Learn how to make the tasks more fun.
A Terrible Thing to Waste
Scientists have found out some interesting facts about happiness. And much of your happiness is under your influence.
Science of Happiness
APA Reference
Staff, H.
(2008, November 30). A Lasting State of Feeling Great, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, December 21 from https://www.healthyplace.com/self-help/self-help-stuff-that-works/lasting-state-of-feeling-great
