In Pursuit of Wealth and Happiness

Trapped and feeling empty. How many of us go through our lives that way? It seems I managed to throw away most of mine in the belief that money and possessions would bring joy and contentment. For sure, that is the crock that our consumption-focused society would have us adhere to.

I started my life with a strong creative talent, but visions of the good life led me to business school and an impressive career in the world of international business development. Through it all, I went through the motions, collected money and things, and led a life increasingly void of emotion, creativity and connection with myself.

It took a major life-altering event to cause me to begin to awaken, open my eyes, and realize that I was missing most of what life had to offer. I had to learn to shift my focus away from working to make money, and start to think about doing what gave my inner self a sense of fulfillment and happiness. In changing my way of thinking, I started to find that the financial means to live contentedly would follow, because what I do comes from the heart and others recognize that.

Life becomes a struggle when we do not listen in our souls. We use things, activities, and mind-numbing substances to push our emotions away and not be aware. Our relationships suffer because we do not communicate - we can't, because we do not communicate with ourselves. Our frustration builds and becomes a tangible part of our lives, and unless something forces us to look at ourselves, we go on determinedly and bleakly through our unsatisfying lives. Do you feel trapped? Think.