We all know the old "Chicken or the Egg" argument - which came first?? Does anyone have an update on that question by the way? Still waiting on definitive answer! :)
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine yesterday and that very argument surfaced - however it surfaced as it relates to Success, Excellence, Happiness and Joy!
Now you are probably asking yourself - how do those topics inter-relate?
Well, have you ever witnessed someone who is cheerful, seemingly content with a positive and enthusiastic attitude, and by all appearances seems to be what conventional wisdom calls "Successful"?
We often hear people referring to this person with phrases such as:
"He/She has it all going on!"
"He/She must have signed a pact with the devil."
"He/She Really has the life."
He/She must have been really lucky to get where he/she is today."
"Of course he/she is happy/positive -I would be too if I had his/her life!"
Now - we tend to think that people such as these "Chosen Ones" are the way they are BECAUSE of the way they lead their lives. "Who wouldn't be happy with all that wealth" we say!
They are Happy and Joyous because they have a lot of money, beautiful/handsome spouse, multiple houses, etc etc etc... This is the Belief many have!
However - I believe the OPPOSITE is true and I will explain why I am inclined to think this way.
Starting my career as a stockbroker while just a kid fresh out of college, I was immediately struck by the amounts of money people possess. It was quite an impression, especially for a kid from middle class upbringing and 2 hard working-class parents!
But what struck me even more than the amount of money people controlled was this fact that STAYS WITH ME to this day -- -it seemed the "MORE" money these people had, the LESS joyous, happy, easy to deal with they were!
It was not true for EVERY client I had, but it was easily true for 99% of them!
As a fresh, newbie kid seeking wealth and glory on Wall Street - this was a shocking observation to happen upon!
We all seem to operate under the assumption that MONEY - and MONEY alone - will save us from the current states of our lives - restore the joy and happiness we just know is laying dormant in our souls - will have us smiling from ear to ear 24 hours a day and change our attitude and demeanor into the person we have always wanted to be!
GUESS WHAT - there is nothing farther from the truth! and if your End GOAL is the possession of Wealth for the sake of Wealth, you are in for a rude awakening!
The people you do see who "Have it all"? I believe they are where they are and joyous BECAUSE of their pre-existing attitudes, positive spirit, hard work, enthusiasm, and self-confidence - NOT the other way around!
They are not that way BECAUSE of their success!!! Their attitudes CREATED their success! and these are the people to be admired and emulated - the one's who "GET IT"!
The point ("Finally" you say!!) is that YOU CAN achieve success, happiness, Joy, wealth, fame, loving relationships, etc -- BUT it has to start with a change in Attitude and Outlook before anything else will come together! It does not result from wealth or anything else!
The Good news is that YOU CAN make that change TODAY! Right this VERY INSTANT!
The Choice is YOURS -- Simply choose to make it a Reality!
The people who are joyous with a lot of wealth WERE JOYOUS people BEFORE they achieved their wealth!! 99 times out of 100!!
People who are miserable with wealth were miserable BEFORE their wealth (or in spite of their wealth in some cases)!! 99 out of 100!
Remember this when you set your goals, make your sacrifices, and plan your next actions!
Stay Strong!
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