Today we celebrate the right to chase the dream. Or in the language of our forefathers, we celebrate the right to pursue of happiness.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
What makes the US Declaration of Independence unique from other countries’ is that it includes the “pursuit of happiness” as a right rather than a privilege. Strange as it may seem, that was the first time in history that anyone had bothered to write that idea down.
As a right, it ups the ante.
So I offer all of us these questions so we can ask ourselves, “Are we honoring this right?”.
- Are you honoring what makes you truly happy vs. what make others happy?
- Are you choosing to be happy, over being right?
- Does your tribe know what makes you happy? What matters to you? Do you?
- Are you choosing being happy, over being rich?
- Are you choosing to live your dream vs. be “successful”.
I wrote yesterday about picking the big idea and sharing 10 steps to focus one’s attention on your big dream. The take away: if you never chase your dream, you never even have the chance to live your dream.
One reason advertising works is it reinforces that “if you get this, you’ll be happy”. But I think that confuses us to think we should pursue the fancy things. But no outside product can substitute for you pursuing your own dream. Living your dream may include a Ferrari, but it is never about the Ferrari. It is not enough to fill ones life with things that create the optics of happiness; you must, instead, pursue our dreams to create a life that IS actually happy.
Talking about dreams and your pursuing your dream, I recommend reading Derek Siver’s (founder of CDBaby) new book, called Anything You Want. He writes:
Most people don’t know why they’re doing what they’re doing; they imitate others, go with the flow, and follow paths without making their own. But only you are responsible for making your perfect world. No matter which goal you choose, there will be lots of people telling you you’re wrong. But it’s your dream; you’re personal dream that you’re responsible for pursuing.
Buy it here: http://t.co/CiWZ1e9. I predict it is going to be a bestseller. It’s less than an hour to read and a great way to meditate on the Pursuit of Happiness and Entrepreneurship.
Happy 4th to all of you.
