Some people in this world make decisions based upon what makes them happy.
At first glance, you may look at that statement and think, "Well, that seems okay. Why not do things that make you happy? Why not avoid decisions that make you unhappy?"
The truth is that happiness is based on circumstances. Happiness is fluid. Happiness isn't an anchor.
The truth is that ten years ago, I was happy. I was in college and I loved to party. I didn't care about class. As long as I could hang out with the guys, I was happy. I worked just enough to pay rent and buy food and buy booze.
If I wanted to make decisions based on what made me happy, I would still be that guy.
Fortunately for me, I got over that phase in my life and re-examined my priorities and started to build a life based on my priorities and not what made me happy.
As I've grown and matured, my list of priorities hasn't changed much. I use my priorities as an anchor in my life and I make my decisions based on them. What I've found is that I have found a more fulfilling happiness when I make decisions that are consistent with my priorities.
Here's mine:
1. God. If I lose everything else in my life, I'll be okay as long as I'm a child of God. I'm committed to Him. Not only am I committed to living a lifestyle that's pleasing to Him, but I am also committed to being a worker in His church. Hopefully, one day I'll have the opportunity to serve as an elder for the congregation that I attend and will bear the obligation of overseeing His flock and accounting for those souls. God reigns supreme in my life.
2. My wife. Initially, my instincts are to lump my kids in here as well but until I'm faced with the unlikely movie scenario of having to chose to save the life of my wife OR the life of my children, I can afford to segregate the two. Here's my point--my wife is my sister in Christ, my best friend, my lover, and favorite person on earth. One of the best things I can do for my kids is to love their mom like crazy--and I do!
3. My kids. I have two living outside the womb and one living inside the womb. I realize that right now, my time with my babies is finite. I will only have a limited number of baseball and softball games to attend. I will only have so many birthdays and Christmas mornings. I only have a few days that I get to take them to school in the mornings. I'll never get this time back and I know that I have to enjoy it while it lasts.
4. My family. I'm a son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. I only have the one family and as hard as it is sometimes, I have to make sure that I can contribute to the well being of my family and make them proud of me.
5. My job. It's my means of providing a living for my family. It's my way of giving back to the community. It's my way of growing as a professional. It makes me proud.
Whenever I want to make changes in my life, I must base that decision on the above mentioned priorities. For example, I was offered a job opportunity that was going to be a good deal for me professionally (Priority 5). It would have made me happy. Awesome! The problem was that I'd have to work from 1-9 p.m. and on weekends. I would lose my ability to go to church (Priority 1) and I'd lose the time I get to spend with my wife and kids (Priorities 2 &3).
The deal had to be a no-go.
No drama, no indecision, no difficulty. Easy decision.
When you establish and live by your priorities, decisions become clearer and easier.
What are your priorities?
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