Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wait.. There's More to Life Than Being Happy?

This morning I was browsing Twitter, as usual, and I came across an article a friend tweeted from The Atlantic called "There's More to Life Than Being Happy." Most days, I would scroll right past an article this, but this morning it caught my eye.

I felt compelled to read the article because of a catch-up session I had last night with one of my college roommates and best friends. During the conversation, we both came to the realization that while we're content with where our lives are, we're missing something (and no that something is not an engagement ring). Lately, I've realized that the people who seem to live the most fulfilling and satisfying lives are those who give something of themselves to an organization, group or individuals they are passionate about. Whether this is spending your Saturday mornings at a local food pantry, volunteering to help at the humane society or coaching a youth soccer team; it's giving a little bit of your time and talents to others with no expectation of receiving something in return.  This giving ultimately allows us to feel that our life is meaningful and worthwhile, which is probably what most people on the "pursuit of happiness" are actually looking for. The article in The Atlantic explains just this and tells the incredible story of a man who lived a very meaningful life. It's a long read, but definitely worth it, I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!

So, I've decided to search for a volunteer opportunity in Indianapolis. I haven't decided what I want to do yet but I will keep you posted!