Color Your Life Happy

“There was a very cautious man Who never risked, or tried. He never hoped, he never failed; He never laughed or cried. And when he one day passed away, His insurance was denied For since he never really lived They claim he never died!” When I saw this poem on Rich Vosler’s blog recently,  I reflected on what we mean by living? It’s clear that people can live very different lives and still experience happiness.  So what did this poem mean by “living?”

There are a number of dictionary definitions that most people can claim as true for them. Living means to exist, financially support yourself, dwell in a certain location, and remain in human memory. These are all worthy and important things. But I’m sure the poem refers to the deeper and broader meaning of living– leading a satisfying, active, purposeful and happy life.

What can you do to lead a satisfying, purposeful and happy life?

This is the best part. The answer is different for each of us, but the way to get there is to do what makes you happy and adds joy to the lives of others.

Most of us knew how to have fun when we were children. Remember when you would laugh at an odd sound or a funny face or absolutely nothing? Or skip to school? Or fall in the snow and just stay there making snow angels? To start living, get in touch with your childlike spirit.

Decide what you’re passionate about, what gives you joy and spend time doing more of it. The ultimate in happiness is being to do this for a living.

As pointed out in the poem, living is also risking failure by going after what you want, and giving in to tears when they come.

So, avoid coming to the same fate as the person in the poem. Get busy living.