Don’t be cheap with your happiness

Welcome to ‘The List.’ I collect quotes that resonate with me — words that inspire action, reflection, or change. These quotes have become my guideposts as I navigate life, business, and personal growth. In each entry of The List, I dive into a specific quote, exploring why it matters to me and how it can offer insight for others looking to live with more purpose.

Don’t Be Cheap with Your Happiness

I know what it’s like to feel like you’re drifting. For years, I lived without purpose — saying yes to everything and everyone, letting life push me around. And because I had no real direction, I had no real happiness. I let people, situations, and even bad habits decide how I felt. I wasn’t in control.

One of the hardest truths I had to face was that I wasn’t just being bounced around by life. I was also numbing myself, using alcohol as a crutch. I was letting it keep me in that cycle — saying yes to everything because I didn’t know how to say yes to myself. Quitting alcohol wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for me to truly understand what this quote means:

“Don’t be cheap with your happiness.”

At first, it seemed simple. But as I reflected more, I realized this wasn’t just about keeping negative people out. It was about having a reason to protect my happiness — a purpose that gave my happiness value. When I quit drinking, I didn’t just stop a bad habit; I took back control. I stopped letting outside forces dictate how I felt, and I started building my happiness on a foundation of purpose.

Finding Purpose

The turning point for me came when I found my purpose. For years, I floated from job to job, saying yes because I didn’t know what I stood for. But when I founded Drone Legends , everything shifted. I suddenly had a mission — a reason to wake up every day and work toward something meaningful.

When I started focusing on that mission, I realized that not everyone belonged in my life anymore. My happiness became tied to my purpose, and only the people who supported that purpose had a place in my circle. It wasn’t about cutting people off — it was about being intentional. The more I focused on my mission, the clearer it became: my happiness wasn’t cheap anymore. It was tied to something bigger than me.

How the Quote Changed My Perspective

Before this shift, I let life happen to me. I let alcohol numb the edges, and I let people and situations pull me in every direction. But when I embraced this quote — “Don’t be cheap with your happiness” — everything changed. My happiness became something worth protecting, not just from the outside world, but from myself.

When I quit drinking, I finally saw how much I had been giving away my happiness. It was hard, but it taught me the value of boundaries and self-accountability. I stopped letting people or bad habits take control, and I started building happiness that was rooted in something real: purpose.

If you’re letting life bounce you around, if you’re numbing the edges, you’re not living the life you deserve. You have to take accountability, not just for your actions, but for your happiness. And that starts with purpose.

Taking Accountability for Your Happiness

Here’s what I’ve learned: happiness without purpose is fragile. It’s fleeting. But when you tie your happiness to something bigger — your mission, your goals — it becomes valuable. And not everyone gets access to it.

You can’t keep letting people, situations, or bad habits control your mood. Your happiness is yours to protect, but it’s much easier to protect when it’s tied to something meaningful. When I stopped drinking, I realized that I wasn’t just saying no to alcohol — I was saying yes to my purpose.

Here’s how you can take accountability for your happiness:

• Define Your Purpose: Your happiness needs a foundation. Figure out what you’re working for, what drives you, and make that your anchor.
• Set Boundaries: Not everyone gets a seat at your table. If they’re not aligned with your purpose, they don’t get to influence your mood.
• Guard Your Joy: Protect your happiness like it’s a valuable resource, because it is. Don’t let just anyone in.

Why ‘The List’ Matters

This quote — “Don’t be cheap with your happiness” — isn’t just about keeping negative people out. It’s about knowing your worth, finding your purpose, and guarding what matters most. Sobriety taught me that my happiness had to be tied to something real — something bigger than any bad day or difficult person.

Now, when life throws challenges my way, I ask myself: Is this person or situation aligned with my purpose? If not, I protect my happiness. And so should you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and you feel like life is pushing you around, I want you to know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel lost, to numb the edges, and to give away your happiness to people and situations that don’t deserve it. But you don’t have to live like that. You can take control. You can stop being cheap with your happiness.

Start by finding your purpose. Once you have that, everything else will start to fall into place. Trust me, you deserve more than you’re giving yourself right now.

Let me know what you’re struggling with, or share a quote that’s helped you take control of your happiness. I’m here to help.