Most of what I do in my day job involves sitting at someone else’s desk. Often it’s for hours at a time. Working on computers also involves a lot of waiting. While waiting, I can either sit and watch the progress bar inch across the screen (it’s like waiting for water to boil) or look around the cubicle I’m in for something more interesting.
Most people decorate their office space to be a reflection of themselves. They are in it for over 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week and over time the cubicle becomes like a reflection of its occupant. Pictures of their family (or lack thereof), trophies and awards, office toys, stress ball, slogans and sayings posted on the walls. A very common thing to see is some kind of poem or cute story about how to be happy and fulfilled. You’ve seen them before. These are the syrupy-sweet “thoughts of the day” that get forwarded to you all the time accompanied by some kind of manipulative threat like “If you really love your friends you will forward this to 10 people.” I’m always tempted to forward the email back to the sender 200 times, but I never do…
The poems or stories on the wall are always full of nice sentiment, and maybe even some good advice. But they are always hollow. It’s free advice that fails to recognize what life is really about and therefore doesn’t answer any of the real questions.
America is in a desperate “pursuit of happiness” and no one seems to be finding it. James Lipton on “Inside the Actor’s Studio” always asks in his interviews the question: “What one thing do you know for sure?”
What a great question!
Here’s what I know for sure:
Happiness isn’t found in love, family, wealth, poverty, romance, business, hard work, parenting, self realization, emotional health or even the affirmation of those you love. Happiness is found only in “loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deut. 6:5-9
What do you know for sure? Commenting is open.
[tags]happiness, joy, self help, inner peace, success, life application, God, religion, Jesus, devotion, scripture, opinion, self improvement[/tags]
I just watched “Pursuit of Happyness” last night and I was thinking about this question as it ended. I don’t know if you’ve seen it??? I realized that to so many people “happiness” is defined as having a good job, being comfortable, and having your family. I love how you ended your post here… that is true happiness. It’s not easy, it’s not free, it’s uncomfortable!
There are only two things that I know for sure:
1) Jesus Christ is risen!
2) He will return and judge us all!
Everything else is subject to change!
nice post and very informative
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