You see them all the time.
You see them EVERYWHERE.
“Top 6 things you need to do to be happy.”
“Top 9 things you should know about living a satisfied life.”
“The top 7 things you need to give up to give up stress.”
“The top 5 things people regret on their death bed.”
“The 8 steps to a successful life”
“The 5 and a half things successful do before cutting their nails.”
"The 9 things that rob you of your happiness"
ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
STOP!!!
I used to like these lists.
I read ALL of them.
At one point I wanted to memorize them.
ENOUGH!
I understand why the “self help” world gets a bad reputation. Or, why people get tired of reading each and every list. At some point, its ENOUGH.
Here is the thing…
Every list makes sense and has value.
But, if you try to implement all of those things at the same time, you will spontaneously combust. And, in the fortunate event that you don’t, you will drive the people around you insane. Neither being a good outcome.
You could pick one. Just one thing to do. Pick one list to live by.
We would be so much better as managers and leaders and parents if we could only read one list and we were forced to implement it. ONE at a time, would likely make your business or your family stronger.
I have read so many “Top Lists” that I should compile them into a new one…
"The 9,673 things that you must do to live a happy life."
This is why I love the concept of harmony. It's a singular thought.
We can’t (I don’t believe) as human beings remember the 9,673 things that we need to do to be happy.
It’s kind of like dieting…
Eat the right amount of calories.
No, eat carbs not fat.
No, eat protein not carbs.
No, eat a little bit of protein and vegetables
No, become a vegetarian, stay away from meat.
No, stay away from all processed food, eat the outside aisles.
Drink skim milk.
Stay away from all dairy products.
Go gluten free.
Go organic.
Don’t eat sugar…
That’s the only one everyone seems to agree on ;-)
We make life complicated.
I make life complicated.
Because we all want the one RECIPE for success. We want to cook our meal once, and be done!
So, let me break it to you.
There is a recipe for success, but you can’t cook it only once. You have to feed yourself EVERYDAY!
That is the thing.
It’s NOT about finding the ONE answer or the ONE recipe.
It’s NOT about “figuring IT out”.
It ISN’T!!!
Do you want to be successful? Really successful?
The kind of success that makes you smile the vast majority of the time.
The kind of success that makes you comfortable with the thought of dying.
The kind of success that makes you glad you are alive.
Here is my top X list for living a happy and successful life.
1. In every moment, embrace the truth, be grateful, and strive for a better you.
2. The next moment, embrace the truth, be grateful, and strive for a better you.
3. Repeat step 2 until you die.
That is the recipe ;-)
That’s it!
THE WORK and THE SECRET is THAT HAPPINESS IS NOT IN THE LIST OR IN THE RECIPE...
THE CHALLENGE OF LIFE IS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE THINGS WE KNOW WE SHOULD DO.
It's not as sexy. It's not as easy. But IT IS what IT IS... It's the absolute truth!
When we try to find happiness or success through any short cuts, its very briefly lived, if at all.
You don’t need to read any more TOP B$ lists…
You just have to DO IT! LIVE IT!
Ah… you feel it? You feel that part of you that doesn’t like it?
“Until I die” ? Are you kidding me? That is exhausting!
There are days when I think…
How many push ups will I have to do to live a strong life?
How many times will I bite my toungue to create harmony?
How many times must I put others ahead of me?
How many times must I think about what I am going to say before I say it?
How many more mistakes will I have to make before I get it right?
How many more miles will I have to run to keep my stamina?
How many more hours and days will I have to work to be successful?
How many more mornings will I have to get up before sunrise to take advantage of the day?
The answer: ALL OF THEM… AS MANY AS IT TAKES…
Now, the thought of that is overwhelming to most…
UNLESS…
UNLESS…
You can truly focus your energy into every moment.
Can I wake up today and exercise just today?
Can I just get my butt out to run 3 miles this once?
Can I get up early today?
Can I be considerate in this moment?
We have the STRENGTH to succeed in the moment…
We tend NOT to have the patience to commit to a lifetime of moments.
We want the "10 things I can learn right now" – to be done with it… I just want to be happy!
THEN WHAT?
Imagine that there was a pill that you could take.
Ok – you take it and now you are happy…
NOW WHAT?
What is happiness or success?
What is healthy?
What is a meaningful existence?
It’s not a point in time.
It’s a way of life.
Happiness is about harmony...
And, harmony is about discipline.
The discipline of focus.
You can look at every workout as a chore, or you can look at it as the gift of getting stronger.
You can look at cooking every meal as a chore, or you can look at it as a blessing to be able to share a meal with your family.
There is no list and no answer that once you read it you are done...
There is only a lifetime of moments awaiting your very best.
Embrace them...
Be grateful for them...
And, keep striving for a better you.
That IS happiness and success.
Yours in harmony,
Nestor