How much for HAPPINESS?

With Happiness, Relationships, Career, Wealth, Health, Friendships and so much more, it all comes down to how you answer this one simple question “How much are you prepared to give up for this?”. 

It might not be the nicest way of looking at it, but sure is a very true and practical one!

Just think about it – how much easier does it make it for us to decide just how much we want or need something when it has a real price tag?

There you are, browsing around the different shops in search of that perfect pair of black shoes. Sure, you want the Best, the nicest leather, quality, shape, design, fashionable, yet comfortable, etc. So, you look, you try on, you admire, you ponder. 

Of course a high price is neither a requirement nor an indicator that you´ll find that perfect paid. BUT, it does help you navigate through all the choices. And, like it not, very often a high price tag does offer you the most you could ever ask for. Just think if it wasn´t a factor. 

With shopping for price-marked items, it´s easy. You know exactly what you have to give up to acquire those perfect shoes or a holiday. And so, with other things in life, which allegedly “you can´t put a price on” and are “priceless”, we struggle. We struggle to realise its price and, consequently, its value, because let´s face another not-such-nice truth: the two are, indeed related, at least in majority of cases.

Yet, EVEYRYTHING, yes, EVERY single thing, including those “priceless” things like happiness and promotion at work, all have a price to pay.

What could be the price for a new relationship? What would you have to give up? Be honest! We´ve all become too politically correct and sensitive to be brutally honest about some things. So, what would you have to give up? A LOT! It doesn´t mean that they´re all great things that you would miss, or that you don´t want to “give them up”. Yet it helps so much knowing what they are. Time. Selfishness. Energy. Commitment. Some “friendships” (yep, as wrong as it sounds, there will be some “friends” that just won´t fit into your new relationship-full life), independence, the thrill of meeting “someone new”, the mystery and adventure of single life.... and so much more! You´ll now have to share your and their friends, families, and compromise on holidays, movies, food and more! This is just the beginning. Of course we always talk about the benefits of being in love and in a great relationships, we all know those, and, obviously, it outweighs the “losses” and is worth its “price tag”, for most people. But still, so many go in search of it, blindly unaware of what they have to give up to become one part of a smug happy couple.

The same with everything – You want that sports car? That puppy? That girlie holiday? That hot body? That lifestyle? That business? Do you know what you have to give up to get it? And now that ultimate question – are you prepared to give it up? Is it worth it?

Maybe you´re now in the process of realising, that some of your wishes and objectives are not actually worth it. That you´re not prepared to give up that time, money, energy, effort, etc that is necessary to get it or keep it. Just know also, that you´re choosing something else – those 3 hours of TV soap watching a day are costing you – you´re giving up a lot to have it. You´re giving up some great hobbies, quality time with your friends or family, getting fitter, earning money etc. 

Everyone has their own preferences, objectives, priorities and values. The beautiful thing is that none of us are the same. 

I realise writing this blog entry has cost me x, y & z – things that I gave up in order to do it. It´s my choice. Many people would never understand it. Yet many of those people are also the same ones as want to feel fulfilled and improve their communication and rapport with their clients. They may prefer to spend that hour in the gym. 

The point is that we all need to become much more conscious that every indecision is actually, in face a decision. That every time you want something, you need to ask yourself if you´re prepared to give up what it takes to get it. If you are, go ahead and commit yourself to “give it up” , to “pay its price”. If you´re not, strike it off your wish-list, at least for now. Why? Because it will liberate you, it will take the weight off your shoulders on unfulfilled dreams, of feeling of failure, of a long list of objectives that are not getting done. It will also free you up to go and get all those great things that ARE worth the sacrifice that they require. 

One thing most people find very hard to resist is that instant gratification that so often stands in their way of fulfilling their goals and dreams. We say we want to be in a happy relationship, yet so many people “stray” and ruin their chances. We say we want to be healthy, yet that cigarette in the moment of weakness with a glass of wine is stronger than our willpower. So, be very very specific when you´re talking about what you´re prepared to give up. Because it very much includes all those temptations of instant gratification!

Now enjoy whatever are your choices, you´ve given up a lot for them, so cherish what your achievements – be it wealth, a hot body, popular social life, love of your life, parenthood, pets, etc!!