In my last blog post on nurturing happiness, I shared the universal desire for happiness that transcends cultures. But what does it mean to live a truly happy life? Is it about having an easy life, with no pain or hardship to worry about? Or is it about something deeper?
I believe that true happiness is about finding purpose and meaning in our lives. It's not about self-gratification or endless leisure or the avoidance of difficulty; it's about cultivating a sense of joy and fulfillment. At the heart of this effort lies resilience - the ability to bounce back from adversity and keep moving forward.
When we face challenges and setbacks, we learn valuable skills that will serve us in both our personal and professional lives. We learn to communicate more effectively, to resolve conflicts, to make sound decisions, and to solve problems. We develop the capacity to manage stress, to empathize, to triumph over challenges, and to find innovative solutions to the problems we face.
Of course, building resilience isn't something we do alone. We need a support network of friends, family, and community who will be there for us in trying times. And we need to nurture a growth mindset, where setbacks are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth, not as indicators of inadequacy.
For parents, our hope for our children is not that they find happiness. Rather, we hope that they find meaning for their lives. Start by providing a diverse array of opportunities for children to explore, and offer unwavering support as they develop needed skills in an area of interest. Every step toward mastering a task or skill should be celebrated, and setbacks reframed as signs of learning and growth.
Resilience allows us to master skills in doing what excites us. This mastery leads us to share our skill for the betterment of the world resulting in an experience of happiness.
Ultimately, reaching mastery in a skill or area of interest moves us to share our skill with others. This sharing, aside from any monetary gain, is a source of great purpose and meaning. When we share our skills with others and contribute to the betterment of the world, we find an even deeper sense of fulfillment and joy.
Take three minutes and watch this video of the incomparable cellist, Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude. In the video, we see him sharing his mastery of the cello while watching examples of ordinary persons developing their unique skills. I hope it inspires you to seek the greatness that lies within you.
If you're feeling stuck or unfulfilled with your life's journey, I'm here for you. Let's have a conversation and work together to help you find greater meaning and happiness. For me, sharing my coaching skills is one way I find meaning for my life - and that makes me happy!
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