Put Happiness First

This is a message to myself.

This is something to think about when I catch myself wondering about 'what next'.

Too many of us are always looking for the next thing. We're looking for whatever comes next. We'd be well served living in the present and living the present the way that brings us the most joy, being present to myself and to others. I have achieved most of the goals I set for myself 5 years ago, but am I happy? No.

Knowing that my life is finite, what do I really want to do with the time that I am alive? Ask this rather than what can I accomplish because everything that can be accomplished is ultimately meaningless.

I know what I value most. Happiness.

I must choose to put my happiness first. I neglected it when I was caught up in work and chasing girls. I am responsible for my happiness and how I respond to events.

I know what makes me happy and sad. I need to do more of what makes me happy. I know that I derive over two-thirds of my happiness from fun and social activities. I know that accumulating wealth does not make me happy. I feel happier when I am less stressed, have something to look forward to, catching up with friends and family, listen to new and old songs, and take time out to consider my values and blog each week.

I know doing what makes me happy won't bring me deep and lasting happiness where I am happy no matter what. This is something I have to cultivate through practicing happiness, not pursuing happiness (re: Joy).

Be grateful that I have the opportunity. That I am financially free. That I am not a refugee in the slums.

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I know I do not enjoy working the positions I have had. I am not following my heart. I keep asking myself: what would you do if money were no object and what job are people happiest in. I am seeking a dream job. A perfect life. However, there is no such thing as a perfect job or a perfect partner. This expectation is not realistic and it is unattainable. The vast majority of people will never find a job that can be an unending source of fulfillment. Although a Gap Year or Food Travel documentary is not bad.

Work or volunteering is good for mental stimulation. I prefer two to three days a week. Travel, leadership, intelligence, online is a bonus.

I know there is no point doing a job for 6 months and then searching another similar job when I return from a holiday.

I know that I enjoy connecting with people (especially attractive women and stimulating people), activities and exploring (walking, exercise, travelling, the environment).

I have to focus on improving my social life and going out with friends. At the same time, I have to remember not to pursue anything in extreme amounts as I may become conditioned to need more to be happy.

The Only Opportunity We Know

As a living human being, we have been given a beautiful opportunity to live. I do not know why we have been given this opportunity. I do not know if we were created or evolved. I simply know that I am here. I exist right now.

I was born a human to [insert names], on planet Earth, in the country known as Australia, in 1985AD.

I do not know if I will ever be given this opportunity again.

If there is something I want to do, it is better to do it now, unless there is a good reason to wait or not to do it.

Time is very brief. I don't know when the music stops. Time is always ticking. I am humble in the knowledge that my life as well as all life on this planet is finite. My time is the most important resource I have because it is finite, whereas something like money is infinite. My life is always ticking closer to the end.

One day the door will close on my life. Nothing I can do will ever bring back time, no matter how hard I try.

Knowing this, I resolve to not over sleep. Live each day to the maximum. Live with a sense of resolve. I only have a brief time on this planet. Life is too short for hate. Life is too short for negativity.

Now is the time to live. I only have so many years. I must live with vigour and joy; and resolve not to be frugal or selfish.

Do what we love while we can. I have lived but not always in the way I want. I have to ask myself how do I see myself living. I have to decide what I want and what I don't want, what I want to be and what journey I am after. The decision will be based on the circumstance I am in and what I know and don't know.

Often we are influenced. It is common for people to define you according to what they think or believe. Often, these are people who are not living their dream, who are not loving life, who are not happy and healthy and well off. The same goes for news articles, media or any source of information we consume as they are likely written by people who are not living the life we want to live.  As such, these people do not have any authority to dictate my life. It is more beneficial to listen to people who are already at where I want to be. External forces may mean well, but they may not be what I want.

I am not right or wrong. There is no right or wrong. It is simply one's perspective. I believe that the only rule is to not seriously harm others. In the end, I am the only one who decides.

Early retirement is not the goal. Living the way I want is.

I have One Life. One God Breathed Life. To make it happen. Am I going to choose to live?