happiness

In Pursuit Of A Better Mood: When Psychology Misses the Point

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Are you “addicted” to having a good mood?  The all-out fascination with having a good mood might be distracting you from living meaningfully.

What is your highest priority?  Relationships?  Money?  Status?  Fun?  God?  Adventure?  Let’s get honest- if pushed and prodded, what is your greatest care?  What do you spend the most time thinking about?

Too often, we are sold a shallow mantra: “As long as you’re happy.”  “Do whatever makes you feel good.”  Much of advertising, promotion, and sales center on these mantras (including counseling).  From landscaping to love, if we can feel better as a result, why not do it?

The problem is, the elusive search for the “holy grail” of our lives can often end bitterly.  Why?  People often don’t get happy by pursuing it alone.  Happiness doesn’t come as a result of selfish hoarding (just type in “research on happiness” in a search engine).  People who only care about their happiness have a name- they’re called narcissists and self-absorbed.  I have been- and can be- this type of person.  There is a better way.

Psychology, though I love it so, misses the point when it answers life’s biggest questions with: “Does it make you happy?”  How about, “Who am I?”  “What do I want to be known for?”  “What is God’s will?”  “What is my purpose?”

Don’t let yourself be reduced to a bottom-feeder by taking what comes your way.  Look deeper.  You are valuable and fascinating and unique and amazing.  YOU.  Created in God’s image.  Filled with purpose.  Now go get ’em.