Chasing Joy

Did you see The Pursuit of Happyness? You know, that Will Smith movie? If you didn’t, I strongly recommend it. It is a touching film in itself, but the true story behind it makes it that much more inspiring.

The phrase ‘rags to riches’ comes to mind as I reflect on this story. Hard work under stressful and unfortunate circumstances allowed this poor, Wisconsin born African American to become a self-made millionaire. Chris Gardner struggled with homelessness, and wrestled in the work force just to feed his son. The unbelievable physical and emotional strain was well projected by Will Smith. He really captured every realistic feeling someone in that situation would feel. I have never seen anyone chase after joy like that. I think every human being should know this story and be moved by it, especially in the United States.

What were the lessons?

Lesson 1: Life is not always easy.
Lesson 2: There will always be someone who is less fortunate than you are.
Lesson 3: Hard work brings rewards.

How can we apply these lessons?

Do what you can to make things better. If you are still in pursuit of your happiness, how hard are you working for it? Many times people allow themselves to get stuck in depression and bad situations and bad relationships. Life is not fair and life is not easy, but no one should allow that to be an excuse for not trying with all of your might to make things better. Do you truly give all that you have to improve your quality of life?

Instead of complaining about all the things you have to do, all the things that you don’t have, and how terrible your circumstances are, focus on the good. If you have a place to live, you should be thankful for it. If you have a job, you should be thankful for it. If you have at least one person who loves you, be thankful for them. I guarantee that you have more than you appreciate. What have you been taking for granted?

Sit for a few minutes and think about the things you can do and the changes you can make. What are the rewards? If you are happier in the end, and you haven’t hurt people along the way, wouldn’t be worth it to work at the changes? Sometimes people feel that they have tried to change things and it just didn’t work. Honestly, and I hate to say it, people don’t put enough effort into their work. People don’t give their all into the things that they do. Pleasure comes first a bit too often.

Work hard now and play later.

Personal Reflection
This story really motivated me to work harder. I consider myself a relatively disciplined person, but I reflected after seeing this film. I realized how many breaks I take. I thought about how many times I put my work aside for something I didn’t need or truly want to be doing. It seems that I could accomplish so much more with my time and I can do so much better than I sometimes think I can. Do you ever feel that way?

We are all human, and no one can really put 100% effort into absolutely everything they do, can they? I say yes, it is possible. I’m not saying that everyone should go and be a workaholic. I am saying that each day, everyone should do their best. No one should expect life to be easy. If I had to choose between the results of a life that was easy and the results of a life that was hard work, I would choose the hard work.

Accomplishment adds value to life. Putting a great effort into doing something makes me proud of what I have done. I may not get to do every little thing that I have always wanted to do, or achieve everything I wanted to achieve, but I am certainly going to put every effort I have towards making those things happen. It’s my life, and my effort is something that I can control.

I hope you are inspired to get out there and do your best at whatever it is that you want to do. You have control of the rewards that come into your future. Joy is worth chasing after with all your might.