Being outside is part of my personal growth plan and one of the great pleasures in my life; it is what brings balance to my workday. Today’s message is in regards to bringing balance between the pleasurable moments in life, and doing work that is in alignment with your true purpose.

There has been a new field of psychology in the last eight or nine years, and that is positive psychology. Positive psychology is different than what we have known. Rather than focusing on what is wrong in someone’s life and trying to find a solution, positive psychology focuses on what is going well, and making it even better and greater. It is about self-empowerment and creating that wonderful fulfilled life experience.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer

In today’s world people are actually in pursuit of happiness. There are books being written and there are seminars all over the world being given on the topic of happiness. Many people are currently experiencing a sense of emptiness and they want to get rid of that sentiment.

One of the conclusions I have come to, as I am observing and studying successful people is that there is a clear difference between pleasurable moments and true inner happiness.

Pleasurable moments can be things such as travel, going out for a boat ride, reading a good book, enjoying a sporting event, what ever brings you pleasure. However, a pleasurable moment is not the same thing as experiencing inner happiness. There are many people who have lots of pleasurable moments and yet they still feel lost – they do not have that sense of purpose, or a direction in life.

On the other hand you have people who have discovered their purpose, who know there passion, they love their work and may in fact be committed to a particular cause and have devoted most of their time to it. These people accomplish a whole lot and they have a certain sense of satisfaction, yet they may still be experiencing a sense of emptiness. They don’t necessarily feel inner joy and happiness.

And so there are two sides to the happiness scale. I have come to believe that what brings people happiness comes from having balance between pleasurable moments and doing work that is in alignment with your true purpose. Balance does not necessarily mean half pleasure or half work every day, every week, or every month. But rather that the two aspects are incorporated into your life.

Live with your whole being all the days of your life. Your reward will be true happiness. Rebecca Thomas Shane.

So my question for you today is where do most of your eggs lie? Are they in the pleasure seeking moments of life basket or in the basket of purposeful work?

I think most people’s eggs lie in the basket of work, in following a particular purpose and direction.

That is wonderful! Yet, in order to get a sense of balance and harmony, stop what you are doing for a few moments. Brainstorm a list of things that brings you pleasure and then when you plan your week choose some of those activities, start to schedule them and make them a priority.

As you do add these pleasurable things into your life you will find you have more equilibrium and more personal mastery. As you do things that bring you pleasure and you do work that is part of your life purpose, you will find an increase sense of satisfaction.

Happiness is supposed to be part of the journey every day. You do not go and get happiness only at the end of your working career, at retirement, or when you finally get that new shiny object.

We are here on earth to be in joy.

If you want a fabulous resource, you can check out a great book by Tal Ben Shahar – entitled “Happier”.

Until next time - Seek to find some pleasurable moments while you work on your life purpose.

This has been Lynette Chartier

As my gift to you, You can download my Free e-Book 10 Steps on the Journey to Success and Personal Development – a tool to increase your personal power and enhance your self-mastery.

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