Name an experience when you postponed present happiness in order to gain the future benefits of happiness – but upon reaching that goal you only felt momentary relief, rather than happiness. The rat race only continues with prolonged postponement of happiness and gratification, in hopes of obtaining yet another goal.
I think I can speak for the common man, that we have all experienced the sense of emptiness upon achieving a goal we worked hard to strive for. It’s like a catch 22, realizing that there is always something more we can strive for, and never really happily enjoying the journey itself and present state of happiness.
For example, I’ve definitely dedicated many hours pouring over financial books in order to get that coveted “A” in class. Sacrificing sleep and having fun in life, I would cram as much information as I could into my head before a big exam. After a semester spent in total agony, analyzing ratios and numbers I finally feel a slight sense of accomplishment in achieving that solid “A” in class. Only to realize that my professor generally curves grades and students end up getting a good grade regardless of effort. Furthermore, after having completed this financial course, I couldn’t say that I benefited from it very much – I don’t remember a single thing I learned. All those hours spend studying, and getting that “A,” I don’t feel my thirst for knowledge quenched at all. I didn’t take this class because it interested me, I took it because it would fulfill the credits I need to get my B.S. in Business. I’m not studying business because I enjoy it, but because I know that it is a safe bet and will lead me to securing a position with a bigger company. The rat race continues. Even though I’ve obtained a pretty good internship within a well-known, global company, I don’t feel that the journey to obtaining this goal was enjoyable at all. I only feel a sense of relief because yes, I feel slightly good about myself because I am measuring my success compared to what my peers have accomplished thus far. And the fact that it’ll look great on my resume. But I can’t say that I enjoy the job that I’m doing, nor will this lead to a career that I will be passionate about. It’s never-ending, and one goal leads to the next, and I feel that I am always in search for something more….never completely satisfied.
So, what can I do to change this precarious situation? What can I do to make myself happier today? To make the journey more enjoyable, rather than infinitely seeking for the world of “Happily ever after?”
The question of all questions…what truly makes me happy?
Sidenote: I realize that my posts aren’t very well-written, but that’s just how it’s going to be. I’d rather just get it all out without having to worry about choosing my words carefully. Sucks to be you reading this!
