How To Manufacture More Joy.
Having enough is the same as a feast.? I try to remind myself of this when I see extravagant stuff, some I’d like to have. ? Through the Zen lens is the awakening to envy being the thief of joy. ?
I’m in pursuit of joy.? That’s really all there is in life, it’s the chief motivator for working, investing in relationships, and what drives action.? Considering whether today is a good trade for a day of your life is heavily influenced by your joy factor.? Behind your WHY is joy, the DNA of your purpose.? If you don’t know what your purpose is, there’s the starting line.
Throughout our lives, we do, buy, or think in terms of achieving joy.? What we think we want- happiness, money, fame- is all about what we chase, or are willing to settle for.
When you see passionate people, you witness what they do to produce joy.? Jimmy Buffet’s The Wino And I Know, spells it out perfectly, “'Cause I'm livin' on things that excite me, be they pastry or lobster or love, I’m just tryin' to get by, bein' quiet and shy in a world full of pushin' and shove.”
Right, we’re all trying to do more of what excites us.? A defeatist might disagree.? But it takes no more effort to see the good side of life than the bad. Shift your perspective.
Businesses are built on the same desires.? Good ones, to improve lives- think Apple, Patagonia.? Bad ones, to satisfy greedy stakeholders- think Enron, Lehman Brothers.? Either way, someone’s definition of joy is behind every action.? Missions in alignment with joy as defined by purpose sustain.? Burned-out businesses often find their joy seeds planted in rocky soil.?
So where does joy live, how do we find more of it?
The materialist world we live in says it’s in having more stuff.? But the dopamine spike in buying quickly fades, so purchasing revolves.? Chasing that rush is a mental game that’s never satisfied. ?
Epictetus was spot on, wealth consists in not having great possessions but having few wants. ?
It’s the wealthy person who wants what they have more than having what they want.? That’s why the “rich” people in our lives are mostly unhappy.? They’re trying to squeeze happiness from material rocks that won’t yield.? Until they realize that joy’s source is internal they’ll continue squeezing rocks for superficial dopamine spikes.?
领英推荐
A reflection.
In the summer of 2005, on the exclusive Shelter Island off the coast of New York, a glittering dinner party was hosted by a hedge fund billionaire. The evening showcased opulence, with the grand estate filled with influential guests, exquisite cuisine, and the finest wines. Among the attendees were two literary giants, Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller, whose friendship had spanned decades and whose works had defined generations.
As they mingled among the crowd, Vonnegut and Heller found themselves in a reflective conversation. Amidst the grandeur, Vonnegut couldn't help but comment on the vast wealth of their host. With a hint of wry humor, he turned to Heller and said, "Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host, who probably hasn't written a single memorable line, made more money yesterday than you have with all the copies of 'Catch-22' combined?"
Heller, known for his sharp wit and philosophical insights, smiled gently. He replied with a statement that would linger in Vonnegut's mind and resonate with many who would later hear the story. "Yes, but I have something he will never have: Enough."
This simple yet profound response struck a chord, cutting through the noise of extravagance and materialism surrounding them. Heller's declaration was not about resignation or complacency but rather a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment. It spoke to the heart of a truth often overlooked in a world obsessed with accumulation and the relentless pursuit of more.
Vonnegut later recounted this exchange in his writings and speeches, using it to illustrate the concept of "enough." He admired Heller's ability to find satisfaction in what he had achieved, to recognize the value of his contributions to literature and to life, and to feel a sense of completeness that wealth alone could never provide.
The story of Vonnegut and Heller at that Shelter Island party became a timeless parable about the nature of happiness and success. It reminded people that true wealth is not measured by the size of one's bank account but by the ability to appreciate and be content with what one has. In a society often driven by consumerism and comparison, Heller's wisdom offered a refreshing perspective on living a meaningful and satisfying life.
In the end, the conversation between Vonnegut and Heller at that dinner party was more than just a casual remark; it was a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding and embracing the concept of "enough." It challenged everyone to reflect on their own lives and consider what it truly means to be rich.
The true essence of joy is found in gratitude.? Appreciating a smiling baby, a glorious sunset, a loving grandparent, and acknowledging that car/home/stuff you have grown so accustomed to are at the top of someone else’s covet list.? Ask yourself:
Setting your sights correctly makes all the difference.? Take time to wipe off the grime from life’s lens, to more clearly see what right actions look like.