I was sitting down talking to some of my buddies a couple of days ago. We were hanging out in my new studio after doing some “remodeling.” We spent the night talking about everything in life. It is interesting to me because most of my buddies are immigrants or children of immigrants just like me.
Personally, I kinda feel like a double immigrant, because my mom’s from Jamaica and I went to school in Alaska. It’s kinda of like a different country up there. For me as just a normal dude from Alaska, being an entrepreneur in the city of Philadelphia is kinda mind blowing.
I know a lot of people can relate to my story. In fact, I’m almost positive because you are reading this, that you’ve probably done the following yourself. I tried a lot of different jobs, but I always felt like I just wasn’t getting what I needed in terms of fulfillment. I just couldn’t figure it out, but what I kept thinking to myself is that I need to make more money.
It Was Not About The Money
Everyone has their thing that they believe will make them eternally happy. For some, it’s fame, some money, others time. Depending on who you are, the value you place on each is variable. For me it was money. I would say to myself. As soon as I have more money I’ll be happy.
That all changed when I started training people that had the millions I was looking for. These people had it all (or at least all I’d be happy with) and they somehow were still unhappy. Some of them complained about how much they have to work, how little they’d see their kids, or even the health of a family member.
It was then I realized that it was never about the money. It’s actually all about balance.
One thing I want to caution you about. Balance is different for everyone. So if you find someone telling you exactly how much of anything you should have in your life, reconsider their advice. There is never any good in being too extreme in your practices. Then you aren’t living an authentic life.
It’s so complicated, but yet so simple. I’ve heard over the years how people search far and wide for the meaning of life and they find it when they come back home to self-discovery. I have to admit that I didn’t follow that belief at first, but the further I explore on this journey, the more I realize that it involves a lot of playful discovery.
I’d like you to consider this before we part ways today. Whatever you believe you need to be happy is wrong. There is nothing outside of yourself that can make you happy. It is when you understand that life simply happens that you find genuine enjoyment in that each experience that comes. Life will “life” with or without your approval, so it’s just better to approve, appreciate, and move on.
Jerry “living it up” Washington
P.S. Once you stop expecting and simply start being open the world changes drastically. At least that’s what it did for me. I realized that when you have money it doesn’t really change you. It just exposes you and if you’re aren’t happy, it just amplifies it. I’ve Seen it hundreds of times and I’m seeing it in myself as well as I begin to become more aware. Something that you might want to think about for yourself as well. If you’d like to chat about it and how you can stop worrying and start winning, just email me here and I’ll do my best to get back to you soon. Talk soon…
