HAPPINESS OF THE FITTEST

"Most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty."

-Tim Ferriss

           Darwin was right! In our world today, it's "survival of the fittest". But here's what I want to do, I'm going to exchange the word survival for the word happiness. Happiness of the fittest. Except, what does "fittest" mean? According to Darwinian theory the "fittest" will be the one who can evolve.  Now your's and my belief about whether or not humans came from monkeys is irrelevant here, because I want to look at evolution simply as the ability of an individual to adapt to a changing environment. Seems simple enough right? But if we really look at our personal life and the lives of those around us we begin to see that as humans, especially in the society in which we live, the ability (and willingness) to evolve is extremely difficult for most. Why? Simply because it requires change.

          Before I get into that, I've decided that once a month my post for that week will be relaying a concept or two that I learned from whatever book I read that week. If you read my last blog post, you know that'll I'll be reading a lot more, so I should have some awesome knowledge to share! Have you ever read the book "Who Moved My Cheese?"?  You've probably heard of it at least. I want to share with you the influential message it contains!
          Quick summary of the book: It's a story about 4 characters who live in a "maze" and look for "cheese" to nourish them and make them happy. The"maze" represents your life, while the "cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life - whether it's a good job, a loving relationship, money, health, or spiritual peace of mind. In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what he has learned on the maze walls.

            Haw, the protagonist in the book travels with his friend Hem throughout the first sections. When their cheese runs out, Haw Challenges his amigo to get up and make some changes, but his friend responds, "No, I like it here. It's comfortable. Its what I know... Im getting too old for that. And I'm afraid Im not interested in getting lost and making a fool of myself. Are you?"

             Let's get real for a second. How many of us have ever said or thought something to that effect? Bottom line is, we're afraid. And what's worse, we're too proud to admit it. Author Tim Ferris explains, "We don't usually call fear by its four letter name. Most intelligent people in the world dress it up as something else: optimistic denial. Pure hell forces action, but anything less can be endured with enough clever rationalization." 

             As individuals, it's really easy to justify our own actions, especially when it allows us to stay within our zone of comfort. The problem with justification is that is causes you to never move! Now, that would be totally fine IF you already felt completely fulfilled in every aspect of your life, and are exactly where you want to be. But unfortunately, that's not the case for the majority of us. Most of us are still looking for something more. But heres the problem: we want something more, but aren't willing to do something more. In the book, Haw reflects, "Look at us. We keep doing the same things over and over again and wonder why things don't get better. If this wasn't so ridiculous, it would be even funnier." As I read this book, I realized I was just like these guys in the maze! Right then and there I started making changes(not decisions to change) but immediate changes. And let me tell ya, it's made a world of difference!

              I want you to be honest with yourself and think about an area(s) in your life where change is probably needed, but you've been so apprehensive about the consequences of leaving your comfort zone, that you never do. What are your impediments, either internal or external, that are preventing you from stepping outside your comfort zone? Now look at your life. Are you better off than you were one year ago, one month ago, or one week ago? If the answer is no(which was the case for me), its probably due to your fear of leaving your comfort zone. No offense, but it's true.

            Good news is, that's easy to fix! Start today, and make at least one change for improvement in your life. If you want this change to have a significant affect in your life, you have to do something that causes you to get out of that bloody comfort zone. I've seen the changes already taking place in my life as I continue to live outside my comfort zone. I promise you that if you strive to do that, you will see that the fears you've been imagining in your head, are just that, imaginations.

"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened."
 -Mark Twain