Drive towards Effective Living

Life is a race to many; to some it’s a journey while others see it as an experience. Whichever telescope of perspective we view life from; I’ve come to realize that we all do to achieve same purpose – happiness. Amazingly, the quest for “happiness” had led us into more mysteries. We have become more envious and competitive; looming in frustration and anger, stress and loneliness. We ask ourselves one thousand and one questions every day to no avail. Every moment, we crave for a way out – we all want to get value out of life. But how?!

There are three major questions that determine the quality of our lives. That help us make sense of our lives at any given time. That determine not only whether we feel happy but also whether we are on course.

Question 1: What Am I to Focus On?

As a matter of fact, we all have focus. But the question is, “Is our focus on what that matters?” The meaning (value) of our lives is dictated by what we focus it on. We can consciously decide on what to focus our life on, and make positive meaning of it or decide otherwise and be like majority of people, who trade their happiness; leaving their lives to chance. The ultimate step is to appraise what you presently focus on and decide consciously what you are going to direct your focus on. You can direct your focus on being a solution; trail blazer; source of joy or otherwise. The point is this, the happenings around us tend to get hold of us and render us ineffective and even vicious if we do not consciously redirect our focus.

Question 2: What Does This Mean?

As you choose to consciously decide what to focus on, the next question is what does this mean “to you” – a call to service or a crusade to live/die for? How do you feel about this – inspired, excited, motivated, or passionate? Understand this clearly, how your life turns out has nothing to do with what people think of you. The quality of our lives is controlled by our focus and the meaning we attribute to it. So consciously take charge and be in control of your life.

Question 3: What Am I to Do?

Our feelings are patterned by our thoughts and thus dictate our actions. The meaning we attach to our focus dictates how we feel about it, how we feel about it dictates how we go about it, and how we go about it determines what we get out of it. As we all want the best out of life we should understand that the best comes with a price tag; and comes only to those who are ready to pay and pay rightly. You can choose to consciously and effectively live out your focus – discovering the right approaches and living by them. Read the necessary books, keep the necessary company, visit the necessary places, acquire the necessary skills – act rightly – and offer your very best. You can as well decide otherwise. The choice is yours so as the consequence.

“The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do; something to love; and something to hope for”.  – Allan Chalmers