Short-Term Happiness vs. Long-Term Happiness
In January of this year, one of my girlfriends and I had a girls’ night. One of the things on our agenda that night included making our Vision Boards for 2023. We had an amazing time clipping photos of our goals for the year and applying them onto our board so that we would be able to envision what to set out and complete for the year. Each time I look at my board, I am reminded of the goals and dreams I have for this year. Ironically, a lot of the goals I have, are also goals that will also carry me beyond 2023. And most importantly, they are all things that make me happy and smile when I see what I vision for myself to conquer.
We live in a world where most everyone is interested in just the “quick fixes”. They want to lose ten pounds and they want to do it in ten hours. Or less. So, they invest in something only to only be fulfilled short-term and unhappy once the “newness” wears off. They do not realize that putting in the work long-term, they will be able to achieve and maintain their goals. This will lead to longer happiness and even stability. The same can be said about one’s career. Or even those they spend time with to avoid the feeling of being lonely and alone.
We also know individuals that just live life “for the day”. But what happens when you wake up the next day? Chances are that your unhappiness sets in. Again. Then what? What are you to do to become happy again? What if you are working a job you dread going to each and every day? Sure, you enjoy the paychecks that come at their scheduled time, but how do you truly feel doing something you hate for years just to have a paycheck every so often?
Taking a quote from one of my favorite musicians of all time, John Lennon once said, “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” [Most] everyone loved John Lennon as a musician as well as a member of The Beatles. Yet, when he began dating, and then marrying, Yoko Ono, many turned on him. Even though there were various opinions and thoughts in regard to their relationship, he continued on with his life without worrying what others thought. I think we can say that during most, if not all days, of John Lennon’s life, he woke up happy each and every morning. He chose to live his life the way he wanted, aiming for his goals and dreams, knowing that in the long-term, his happiness is what mattered the most to him. His happiness didn’t matter to anyone else. The Beatles aren’t known as a “one hit wonder”, they created multiple chart-topping albums and evolved as artist throughout their decade-long career.
So perhaps when you wake up each morning, you should determine if your actions and goals will cause you to become a “one hit wonder” or the member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in your Life. Then, just maybe, you well indeed truly be Happy.
