This I Believe
I believe that the key to happiness is to be content. I've spent my whole striving to be something great. Something better. To have everything that I want and more. I’m passionate and driven and all of those things that I've been taught to be throughout my life. But none of those things can bring me happiness on their own. I have to be satisfied with my accomplishments at some point in my life, or else what was the point of it all?
I had a great-uncle named Lloyd who I never got to meet. Everyone in my family who ever met Lloyd said that he was never very wealthy, and he didn't get to go out much. He was a farmer. He loved his farm, and he loved his life. He was content. I've always heard “One word to describe Lloyd is content”. I remember one night I was sitting at home thinking about that. And I realized that to me the word content meant someone who was happy with what they had. Sure, my uncle worked hard for his farm. But he was never stressed out about what was going on, because he was happy with how it was. He was never trying to make improvements, just maintaining an acceptable status quo.
I want to be very clear that seeking contentment is no excuse for a lack of motivation and hard work. But, everything in moderation. I spent too many Friday nights studying until I got a migraine. I spent too many Saturdays partying to compensate.
I learned that I didn’t like to party. I like to relax, but when I work too hard, I feel the need to do something overly crazy so that I reach some sort of distorted balance. Now that I know what it’s like to just take a deep breath and be happy, I don’t kill myself doing homework, and I don’t stay up with my friends until four A.M. I’ve learned that studying until I’m confidant and comfortable is better than studying as much as I can. I’ve learned that a little bit of fun is a good thing.
Even after I came to these realizations, I still find myself taking things too seriously. I put a massive amount of importance on my GPA, and I have to remind myself that the number is worthless if I didn’t get what I need out of the experience. Relaxing and living in the moment, and experiencing life is truly important to me. Though passion and drive are admirable and important qualities, I believe that true happiness requires contentment.
I believe that the key to happiness is to be content. I've spent my whole striving to be something great. Something better. To have everything that I want and more. I’m passionate and driven and all of those things that I've been taught to be throughout my life. But none of those things can bring me happiness on their own. I have to be satisfied with my accomplishments at some point in my life, or else what was the point of it all?
I had a great-uncle named Lloyd who I never got to meet. Everyone in my family who ever met Lloyd said that he was never very wealthy, and he didn't get to go out much. He was a farmer. He loved his farm, and he loved his life. He was content. I've always heard “One word to describe Lloyd is content”. I remember one night I was sitting at home thinking about that. And I realized that to me the word content meant someone who was happy with what they had. Sure, my uncle worked hard for his farm. But he was never stressed out about what was going on, because he was happy with how it was. He was never trying to make improvements, just maintaining an acceptable status quo.
I want to be very clear that seeking contentment is no excuse for a lack of motivation and hard work. But, everything in moderation. I spent too many Friday nights studying until I got a migraine. I spent too many Saturdays partying to compensate.
I learned that I didn’t like to party. I like to relax, but when I work too hard, I feel the need to do something overly crazy so that I reach some sort of distorted balance. Now that I know what it’s like to just take a deep breath and be happy, I don’t kill myself doing homework, and I don’t stay up with my friends until four A.M. I’ve learned that studying until I’m confidant and comfortable is better than studying as much as I can. I’ve learned that a little bit of fun is a good thing.
Even after I came to these realizations, I still find myself taking things too seriously. I put a massive amount of importance on my GPA, and I have to remind myself that the number is worthless if I didn’t get what I need out of the experience. Relaxing and living in the moment, and experiencing life is truly important to me. Though passion and drive are admirable and important qualities, I believe that true happiness requires contentment.
Below is my 7th event on my Timeline for Gateway to Honors. The event is my selection as Co-Chair of the Annual Event Committee for the University Honors Association. I hope you enjoy reading it!
Below is my Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal required for Gateway to Honors. This in particular proposal is for a leadership role in the ROAR Tour Guide organization for the Spring and Summer Semesters of 2014.