Telling ourselves the truth
Our culture lies to us all the time. It wants us to seriously believe that buying the right product, wearing the right clothes, or acting the right way will bring us the meaning we are searching for. We may have a tacit understanding that those aren’t true, but we love to believe the lies. We love to believe that money can buy happiness and that consumption is the sure fire way to finding meaning in life. Our society’s values are being corrupted by our consumer culture’s insistence on spreading the following lies:
Youth = Popularity
Popularity = Success
Success = Happiness
What if we subverted those lies with the truth?:
Youth = Vibrant State of Mind
Vibrant State of Mind = Depth of Heart
Depth of Heart = Significant Character
That is,
Vibrant State of Mind + Depth of Heart + Significant Character = Joy. Joy as we know is much richer, deeper, and more meaningful than “the pursuit of happiness” and ultimately leads to ultimate success no matter our situation.