Adventure, Happiness, and Love

The successful adventure. 

The four pillars of happiness. 

The opposite of fear is love. 

“The effect of the successful adventure of the hero is the unlocking and releasing again of the flow of life into the body of the world.” What I love about Joseph Campbell’s words here is that we are all on a life adventure. Each of us ventures out and faces challenges on the path to discovering our unique treasure that contributes to the great flow of life. And that discovery is our gift to the world; it is the sign of a successful adventure. The hardships, obstacles, and struggles are the very things that influence and shape us into who we are at the deepest level and unlock and release the hero that lives within each of us.  

Arthur Brooks wrote, “Happiness isn’t found in some finite checklist of goals that we can diligently complete and then coast. It’s how we live our lives in the process. That’s why the four pillars of happiness are faith, family, community, and meaningful work. Those are the priorities we have to keep investing in.” I'm getting older, and as I continue to transition into this second-half-of-life, these wise lessons become more and more meaningful. We all want happiness. We seek it differently, but I agree with Arthur’s four pillars. And thinking of Joseph’s flow of life, the hero needs wise counsel.  

“The opposite of fear is love–love the challenge, love the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off.”  

I recommend ALL of Steven Pressfield’s many books of encouragement. This quote comes from his book Do the Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way. Steven offers clear, wise counsel. This is one of his many wise observations. The opposite of fear is love. The challenge, the work, the passion and courage to take a shot. We can fear or we can love. I choose love. 

I dream of the happiness found in faith, family, community, and meaningful work. I dream of unlocking and releasing the flow of life into the body of the world. I dream of getting out of my own way and overcoming resistance. My choice is to let fear lead me or to let love lead me. I know fear will be along for the ride. It has a voice, but it doesn’t get a vote. Today, I vote for love, for happiness, and for adventure.