The road to happiness. Will the journey towards achieving your goal benefit you or corrupt you?

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 23:15:12 -0500

Not to get all peace, love, lollipop, and hippy-like on the community, but what goal are we driving ourselves towards in life? Are we so focused on reaching that end goal that we fail to see how "rich" we already are? How many ivory back scratchers do we need to feel happy or successful? Will the journey towards achieving your goals benefit you or corrupt you?

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Feb 25 at 2015 1:04 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 01:04:03 -0500

The journey will benefit me for sure because I would never trade my moral or character in for anyone.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 3:49 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 03:49:53 -0500

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"

Response by SrA Andrea West made Feb 25 at 2015 4:49 AM

SrA Andrea West — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:49:36 -0500

I think it's all about the journey and how you make that trip. We sometimes confuse ends and means when it comes to material success. Having a strong moral compass and a focus on what is actually important in life, which includes serving others, comes with success as a byproduct.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 25 at 2015 7:43 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 07:43:50 -0500

So, money can buy Happiness, but only to a point. Until you make a certain threshold too much time is spent worrying about things that are fixed by money (food, shelter, future security) I'm going to call this challenge 'the grind.' After a threshold happiness is impeded by things that are not controlled by money, but usually by lack of time, time with family, exercise, relaxation, vacations I'm going to call this "the race." That threshold turns out to be around 75 thousand dollars per year. I personally suspect that there is a third threshold, after you have a huge chunk of money, no longer need to work and have all the free time in the world. Most of us will probably never face this challenge, very few people do, but I think at that point the challenge becomes one of purpose, if survival, security and time to do what you want isn't demanding your energy, you need to find a new purpose to drive you. I'll call that the "curse of the playboy." Some people have adroitly handled that curse (Bill Gates, Elon Musk, etc) some people have failed at it (not naming names, consult your local tabloids.)

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2010/09/07/the-perfect-salary-for-happiness-75000-a-year/

The Perfect Salary for Happiness: $75,000

It turns out there is a specific dollar number, or income plateau, after which more money has no measurable effect on a person's day-to-day contentment. The magic income: $75,000 a year.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 25 at 2015 1:48 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:48:14 -0500

Grandma's analogy of life. Parenthood (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1h_hmdVJAc

The roller coaster

Grandma's "wonderful and affecting" story from Parenthood (1989).

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 27 at 2015 3:55 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:55:51 -0500

SFC Mark Merino, I believe if you have strong, morals, beliefs and values on what life is and me personally believing in the Bible as my compass I can understand what the journey is. It is so unpredictable. At my retirement ceremony the reviewing officer talked about the dash(-) on the tombstone it made me realize how short/precious life is.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2015 5:28 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 17:28:54 -0500

Great question, SFC Mark Merino. I'm guilty as charged. I can get so focused on the end goal that I fail to enjoy the journey. I think Americans and probably military folks are famous for that.

It is so vitally important to enjoy that journey because tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone, and we may not reach that end goal. So, we would be well advised to enjoy every day.

I agree with you that we are already rich in so many ways and we should stop and think about that once in a while.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2015 5:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 17:54:17 -0500

If Morgan Freeman says it, it must be true. From the mouth of Morgan Freeman himself. "Remember, believe..... I know it sounds like a cat poster" - Morgan Freeman

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Feb 27 at 2015 7:27 PM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 19:27:46 -0500

"Don't lose your dinosaur"-
Some where in this world in bombed out city or a dirt floor hut people are happy. Happy just to see their children grow. Happy to sit down to a meal. The fallacy we buy into is that more "stuff" = an increase in happiness. And anyone with a lot of stuff can tell you it doesn't.
There's a saying...a bishop asks a priest if he prefers to minister to the rich or to the to the poor...he answered to the rich, because at least they know that money won't solve their problems.
Everyone wants to be smarter, faster, thinner, out of debt, bigger house, etc. In some cultures competition, ego and ambition are considered mental illness. all that matters is the people we help and the lives we touch. Everything else is temporary and we will lose it all.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 28 at 2015 4:04 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 04:04:30 -0500

My life's goal has always been (since the birth of my children anyway), to raise productive members of society who are going to go out into the world with confidence, children who are not afraid to take on problems head on and who want to be a part of the re-birth of American pride and embrace individual responsibility. I am 'rich' enough. I don't need a billion dollars in the bank, three houses and five cars. I have my children, my wife, my God, and hopefully my 'hobby' will be enough to keep the bills paid and food on the table. I also don't hold any ill feelings to those who want all that material stuff.