The Pursuit of Happiness

It is interesting how throughout our lives movies can have an impact on our lives or change our views one way or another.

Last night, I watched the movie Pursuit of Happiness for the first time. The movie and the story is phenomenal. If you have not watched it then I suggest you do.

The movie got me thinking and looking at retrospect into my life. Asking myself the question "Have I been pursuing happiness?"

Looking back I have wonderful memories and happiness abound. All three of my kids are screaming testaments to the happiness in my life. They give me a feeling of fulfillment and joy that few other things can ever come close to matching. For all intents and purposes I live for them and their happiness.

Sadly though, I feel that I fail them in the pursuit of happiness in providing for them. I know this is probably something that numerous father's feel and so I am not alone.

But, I look back on my life and ask, Have I given 100% to everything needed to ensure their happiness?

The answer unfortunately is no, I have not. I have not given 100% effort at work to ensure that we could live comfortable and do the many things they want to do. I spend far to much doing things I should not be doing and to little time doing things that will advance me farther in the work force. I am 31 years old and I basically work the Help Desk. I am better then this and should be doing better than this.

The problem? As I see it, I seem to just expect things to happen for me. I rarely if ever put in the effort to earn things. Case in point, my companies quarterly Outstanding Associate Award. I'd love to win this, it would be awesome to! However, I don't put any effort into trying to win it. I seem to think that just showing up means I should win the award.

Unfortunately, life does not work like that and I need to not only understand it, but, I need to do it. Growing up every teacher said "If only I would apply myself". Sadly, even today that holds true, I am constantly telling myself "If only I applied myself". I need to stop telling myself this and actually do it. Because, I now find myself saying the same thing about my oldest son. Our kids imitate us and twenty years from now I do not want him writing the same blog post.

I am still young, there is still time... I just need to put up or shut up so to speak.

If I do, then in the end I will have pursued happiness. Which is all anyone should ever do.