Inspired and Blessed by Bob Acebedo
Inspired & Blessed

Success, Happiness, Meaning And Purpose

Nov 20, 2021, 12:40 AM
Bob Acebedo

Bob Acebedo

Columnist

PEOPLE are wont to aim for success, forgetting that happiness is more significant than success. While success is relative (not that the more successful you are the more relatives you have, but rather that success is apportioned to each one according to his/her situation, talents, and limitations), happiness is more personal or subjective. If beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, happiness lies in the heart of the rejoicer.

But, what happiness IS and IS NOT?

Happiness is the journey, not just the destination. Waiting by the wayside for success to arrive – hankering for a fulfilled life and its fruition, choosing to sulk, keeping to ourselves, away from others, all the while daydreaming for “success destination” – will but rob us of the ensuing joys of the journey.

America’s Got Talent’s golden buzzer celebrity winner and cancer survivor, “Nightbirde” (whose real name is Jane Marczweski), gave us an inspiring and really spot on quote: “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to decide to be happy.”

Happiness can’t be found outside, it comes from within. Happiness can only spring from within – not imposed by others, not from fanciful places, not from “positions” and “possessions” – but, fittingly so, from the heart.

Happiness is not chasing our own tail, it is moving on and discovering the pure joy of being with the people we love. Let’s not indulge ourselves too much with on how far and how perfect we have gone. Let’s instead cherish our time with our loved ones, and continue moving on.

Happiness is a choice, not a predetermined course or fate. We want to be happy, we have to choose to be happy. Let’s not look to others for happiness. What makes others happy may not necessarily make us happy as well.

Happiness is not what we get, it is what we give. “No man is an island, no man stands alone,” so goes the line from the 1960’s classic song. Like the ripples in a pond after a stone is thrown, we are meant to affect others by what we share – the most profound of which is our selfless love.

Happiness is not what we have, it is what we are. Realizing our true worth or value – i.e. our innate goodness – is more priceless and rewarding than having a hefty bank account. Being aware that we are not merely a “human having” but a “human being” who is loved and endowed by God with dignity, purpose, and unique gifts is far more satisfying than being materially rich.

Happiness is finding our life’s meaning and purpose. Finding our meaning is discovering who we are, our far-reaching potential, and developing the best within us.

Embracing our purpose is less about what we want than what we give – it is using our deep strength and potential to serve or benefit others. Purpose gives us the reason to live and keep on moving forward.

Verily, by finding our life’s meaning and purpose, we will find significance and authentic happiness in whatever we do.


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