How Much Time Do You Spend With People & Things You Love?
What is your source of happiness?
Do you know what is your source of happiness? What is the one most important thing in your life that will give you great happiness, something that you will not give up for anything else. Would that be your family, money, status, fame, recognition, something material, or something like freedom?
How much time do you spend with your source of happiness?
If you have the answer to the above question, I’ll would say that this should be the greatest love of your life. And if you indeed get great happiness out of it and love it that much, then you should obviously also place a high priority and much attention on it. Then the follow up question I have is, how much time do you then spend with this thing/ person that you love that brings you great happiness?
I would find it puzzling if someone were to state that his greatest love is his family and then when asked how much time he typically spend with his family replies not that much, and he is in fact spending more time working or playing golf, or on other stuff. Though some may argue that it is the quality and quantity that matters, but I would argue that it does not apply for matters of love, happiness and priority. Long term neglect or failure to invest sufficient time to sustain a meaningful relationship would very likely lead to a breakdown or dilution of the thing/ person you love. For example, if your highest priority and love is indeed your family, would you consistently choose to play golf or attend corporate functions over family time? Would you take up a job that require you to travel frequently, taking time away with your family most part of the year? I would find that hard to believe. Again, I am sure many would say that they have no choice, citing the need for them to earn a living, bring back the bacon and such. That again I would argue that unless you are struggling to provide for basic needs, if not, it is really a matter of choice and prioritization of what is more important to you at that point of time or stage of your life.
Are your priorities right?
In wake of the recent disasters in Japan, it is again a timely reminder of what are your priorities in life and to ask yourself are you investing time and energy on the things that are really important to you. So are you spending enough time with the people or things you love? Or are you spending more time on things and people that in fact does not contribute much to your happiness?
