I could not stay away! I was going to wait till tomorrow to post, but I had a thought and had to share!
I speak with readers and writers throughout the week and it is so gratifying to talk and converse and meet so many different types of people. Meeting people is my favorite aspect of what I do. One of the most common questions or dilemmas that is put to me is “How do I live a fulfilled life?” And as I was sitting in the kitchen eating lunch the answer came to me with sudden clarity.
Most people seek fulfillment or seek to live a fulfilled life. And this fulfillment desire is one of selfishness. The truth in fulfillment is exactly the opposite of what most people think. I propose the idea that in order to be fulfilled one must learn to do for others and focus less on self.
There exists a truth in every human being, a true self, if you will. I am talking about the You that speaks during the honest, soul emptying moments with friends or therapists, not the You that plays the part in the movie called Your Life. Not the you that is always “fine” or the you that envies, lusts, desires, yearns, hates, etc. This You looks to the outside world and desires for material things. This You wants things, success, acceptance, love. This You focuses on itself and its needs, wants, desires.
My belief is that until you put this You in its place and begin living a life focused on adding value to the world around you, you will not experience any type of fulfillment. You must convert your thinking to that of a servant. You must begin to help others. You must deny yourself and devote your life to helping, giving, loving others above yourself.
Until this happens you will continue to seek that which you cannot have. Some use the word “happiness,” but I refuse to use this word. Happiness refers to an emotion and is not a state of being. Happiness comes and happiness goes. I have written in the past about my views on happiness, Stop Trying to Be Happy. Fulfillment is the objective as it is unaffected by our mood or emotional state. I can be sad that someone dies, but still live a fulfilled life. I can be angry that someone has stolen my car, yet still be fulfilled.
Fulfillment can only be found when you step out of focusing on yourself and step into a world of focusing on others. Find a way to add value to your world. Volunteer your time at a local nursing home. Sign up to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Register to be a driver for Meals on Wheels. Serve lunch at the homeless shelter. Volunteer to sweep the floors at the Battered Women’s Shelter.
Take your life and devote it to helping.
When you find a way to add value to the world around you, you will no longer need to find fulfillment, fulfillment will find you.
I agree with you. Being selfless does bring fulfillment.
Janice
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Janice, thank you so much for reading!
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It’s interesting how many “self-help” books miss this truth, that to best help Self, you must first help others.
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I must say when I started the Dream Big project I did so to help others, but did not start off with this “help others” principle in mind. As I spent time writing the idea developed. My life changed when I started this blog to help others find whatever success they needed or wanted in their life. My mission is to help others from a place of sincerity and honesty and the rewards are amazing. I cannot tell you the number of nights that my wife and I have cried or laughed from an email or message from a reader. Fulfillment is an understatement!
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I believe it. I’ve been overwhelmed by the community aspect of blogging, and the give and take (mostly give) that is offered. It makes me wonder why I waited so long to start a blog!
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Very, very true!
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Words that are so very true! 🙂
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I may not be easy trying to understand the world and in the grand scheme of things not very important. But what is important is understanding yourself. Why do I do the things that I do and why do I think about things this way? Find yourself and you will find the keys to the universe! Billy
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Great thought Billy! Thank you for leaving it with us.
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Selfless is good. It’s all about me is not necessarily selfish.
And please remember, somebody’s therapist knows all about you!
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Thanks Danny for writing this post. I was just thinking something on those lines myself these last few days.
Two days back, I was asked or it was thrust upon me to vet a progress report for one of my colleagues who had taken a break from work. I did it about half way, and then realised I am doing it for someone who is always in this type of trouble and I seem to be always bailing her out. ( See how evil thoughts come into one’s brain). And then I tried to find ways to get out of submitting the report( the deadline was 12 pm the next day and the next day was the weekend off for us. I tried every trick in the book to get out of vetting that report but finally my ego gave in and I submitted it just before I left for home that day.
Two days in a row now, I have been thinking about how to bring this issue up at a departmental meeting and find a solution to this recurring issue.
Today, it struck me that as a Christian, I needed to go the extra mile, show the other cheek or share more than what I have in order to call myself a true follower.
So I have decided not to do anything about it and to do it again if need be.
Thank you for putting things in perspective for me, with this post. You will never know whose life you have touched, Danny.
Susie
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Susie, thank you so much for sharing your situation and thoughts. it means a lot to me to get meaning, real-life feedback!! You are the best!
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That does encourage me, Danny.
I am trying. Still no TV- going strong there too Danny. I have to say thank you to you for that.
Please devise something for weight loss and exercise too.
Susie
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It is on the list and will be published soon! Thank you for your support!
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Susie, have you read this post about my weight loss?
https://dreambigdreamoften.co/2014/11/30/time-for-me-to-change/
I posted this November 30, 2014 and am still using this plan. I now weigh 167 down from 192.
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Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s how I have ALWAYS found a solid sense of fulfillment! Even now, faced with my diagnosis, I still am soldiering on and seeking to help others. I am in cahoots with my sister in law to help her launch a MASSIVE new charity for military vets that she and her partner are singlehandedly funding. Talk about fulfilling!!! My hubby and I will get to be the caretakers for the 500 acre facilities (I will be involved so long as I am still around) and our son will get to grow up in an environment doing something that he loves. I have never been more excited about something in my life!
So Danny, even though I am dying, I am still utterly and completely fulfilled by the involvement in the project to help out our military veterans. You are 100% correct in this post my brother! Xoxo Melanie
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“When you find a way to add value to your world you will no longer need to find fulfillment, fulfillment will find you”..love this! Thanks for sharing.
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thank you for taking time to read!!
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I agree with this and have been taking action to do exactly this and get out of my own head this week. Being in the moment can be difficult when we have so many responsibilities, I took a step back & was fulfilled (and yes, momentarily Happy as well…but agreed this is not the goal) to stop & do for my girls, giving fully of myself. Time of course being the most valuable gift to give others.
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This is a great thing!!
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Danny, I just did and update and repost of this article on my blog… I think it is time for you to do some self-promotions my “spirit brother” because you aren’t getting the funding you need for your project!!! Here is my post about you:
http://amusingmyselfmusings.com/2015/07/25/smiling-in-the-face-of-adversity/
Have a lovely day!
xoxo Melanie
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Thank you very much! We are actually looking to file for charity status and find a bigger sponsor for our work. Trying to raise money dollars at a time takes to much time. We need big time funding. I am meeting with people this coming week to develop a plan! exciting stuff!
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This is so kind of you to do for our cause!
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Great article with beautiful thoughts. Real happiness is in seeing and feeling others to be happy. When you become a means of providing happiness and a better living atmosphere to others, you will be experiencing the real bliss.
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I could not agree more!!
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Another great post Danny 😉
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Thank you very much! How was Mexico?!
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It was incredible. I’ve been one lucky girl when it comes to travel this year. I leave tomorrow to go visit family and hit the beach for a few days 🙂 I’ve hardly been home lol…
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Enjoy every moment!! You deserve it!
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🙂
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It is so important to discern between ego (the You mentioned above) and the true self. It isn’t always easy at first, but once you understand the difference, ego can serve your true self and life becomes more fulfilling as a result.
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Awesome point!
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The idea of stopping trying to be happy is spot on, I feel. It’s hard to break this self habit, but I’m going to try following your advice. In my case I’m going to work hard at my art and help to spread joy that way. Doing, rather than thinking about doing……
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Too many people think that happiness is their goal. and if they are not happy all the time they email me asking what is wrong with their life. When did we develop this ridiculous idea that we should expect to be happy all the time? Makes no sense to me.
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Happy is not in my vocabulary. I don’t know the meaning. I grew up with uncontrolled Bipolar Disordered. Someone (maybe it was even you) explained the meaning of fulfillment and that is what this blog is doing for me. I am trying to help others and if I can figure out other ways to do it I will help win the war against stigma. Fulfilling not happy.
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I have always believed that always looking to be happy is ridiculous and will leave people disappointed. Seek to be fulfilled is the better way to look at it, in my humble opinion.
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thank you for the ping back!
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Reblogged this on Blissfully Informed Hippie Chick and commented:
Very good message!
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Reblogged this on sherriemiranda1 and commented:
Thank you, Dray. I couldn’t agree more! ;-). ❤
Sherrie
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Thank you for the reblog! 🙂
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