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This blog exists so that you don’t do what you’re told. For most of the day, we feel like we make choices according to our own thoughts and desires. However, you are far more influenced than you care to know. Each choice you make is influenced by your past experiences, education, movies, songs, work, friends, and family.
Unknowingly, you develop habits from your past and unconsciously do what you are told.
As you go about your day on the job, at school, or in your home, you don’t have time to thoroughly think through each decision you make. Decisions simply happen. “Olive Garden just sounds good.” “I don’t think we should go to James’ tonight.” “I don’t know, I just think the boss would want us to do it differently.”
Your right side of the brain does this automatically. It gives you just the right amount of info you need to make the decision. This unstated info guides you and then forms your assumptions and values. Assumptions are not stated and are always correct—in your own mind, at least.
Our “thinking-self” or “conscious-self” believes it is the star of the movie…but it is only the supporting actor of our unconscious and assuming self (as psychologist Daniel Kahneman likes to explain it).
This is a marvelous and mysterious event that happens. It is also dangerous.
Sometimes, you hold assumptions and values that aren’t worth holding. These assumptions are unknown because they are unstated in your mind. Sometimes, they come from your desires while, at other times, they come from people who influence you (whether friends, movies, books, etc.).
By focusing on Jesus’ resurrection, you can easily discover what bad ideas are influencing you…then you can make better decisions according to what you believe is actually important.
Why not think differently? These bad ideas cause you to make bad decisions and leave your “joy-tank” half empty…
“What is worth living for?” This is a million-dollar question. Many Millennials (born between 1981–97) care about living life with a purpose—living the good life. If you are reading this and feel that way, then this blog it for you.
Not all purposes are worth living for. Some lives are more significant than others. Some lives produce more joy than others. The significance of your life is found in what you value—in what you believe is important.
“What is worth living for?” Believe it or not, everyone answers this question. Your answer is found in the way you spend your time and money. Your answer is found in the relationships you build and the thoughts you have. You can’t not answer this question.
Stephen Covey helpfully points out that we have the unique ability to imagine we are looking at ourselves. We aren’t dogs. In other words, we have self-awareness. Self-awareness allows us to examine how we live and then discern if we are valuing the right things.
“The unexamined life is not worth living,” -Socrates
Jesus’ resurrection teaches what to value—it teaches what is important. By taking time to learn about Jesus’ resurrection and then reflecting on your own life, you will see that some of the values he teaches overlap with your values…and some differ.
“Wait, why embrace values learned from Jesus’ resurrection?”
Because Jesus wants your joy to be as full as it can possibly be. Your happiness does not have to depend on your circumstances. Your joy can be in your control.
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him.
Jesus resurrected to extend this joy to you.
This joy can be yours now. It can guide the decisions you make so that you don’t unknowingly use wrong assumptions, make bad choices, and feel joyless.
For this reason, I started this blog to help you find your unique purpose, live in that direction, and experience the good life.
So what is your vision of the good life?
Thanks for Reading,
Aaron