Are you ready? Christmas is magnificent. Ready, set, go.
The idea that life has to be hacked tells us all we need to know about our bankrupt culture. We have wandered so far from the purpose of life and so far into meaninglessness. The result is that we think we need to hack life. Not to thrive, but merely to survive. It is time to stop trying to hack your life. Welcome back to Best Christmas Ever, where we are exploring 28 ways to make this your best Christmas ever. Number 16, stop trying to hack your life. Quick fixes don't work, shortcuts defeat the purpose, and neither is a path to excellence.
Is there any such thing as a meaningful life hack? Is there any such thing as a profound life hack? Life hacks are a distraction from the main event. Life. Life is for living. Even our problems, frustrations, and inconveniences should be lived. Why? Because they serve the greater meaning and purpose of life, which is to help you grow in virtue and become the best version of yourself. The fundamental mistake we make is to think that we are here to solve the problems. And yet, we know that as soon as we solve today's problem, another problem will emerge. We are not here to solve the problems. The problems are here to solve us.
When we work through problems with a values-based approach, we grow in virtue. And virtue is the not-so-secret ingredient to improving as a human being, having a better life, better relationships, and transforming society. Our lives only genuinely improve when we grow in virtue. Society only authentically progresses when the people who make up that society grow in virtue. Patience, kindness, compassion, generosity, courage. These are what we yearn for. These are the gifts to give those we love this Christmas.
Are you excited for your best Christmas ever? I know I am. But before you go, let's talk about how to avoid your worst Christmas ever.
It's not easy to have a great Christmas in a world where everyone is striving for what isn't worth having. Welcome back to 28 obstacles that will prevent you from having your best Christmas ever. Obstacle number 16 is the inability to say no. Learning to say no is one of the quintessential life skills in a world full of options. Sometimes the inability to say no is caused by overcommitment, and often it is caused by lack of clarity. Get clear about what matters most this Christmas and you will get good at saying no to those things that don't matter. Think before you say yes. As my good and wise father used to say, engage brain before opening mouth.
Saying yes to the wrong things or too many things is an obstacle to having your best Christmas ever. But remember, find your joy, guard your joy, follow your joy, not just happiness. It seems our culture has confused happiness with comfort. And following comfort will lead you to misery. Find your joy. Cherish your joy. Guard your joy and follow your joy.
There are people who say they have no regrets. I am not one of them. If I could go back and live my life all over again, there are things I would change. One thing I would change is the speed at which I have lived my life. I would slow my life down, and not just a little. For the last five years, I have been learning to slow down to the speed of joy. It hasn't been easy, but the fruits are undeniable and the lessons monumental.
I wrote Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy to share those lessons with you and to help you banish urgent and busy from your life. This one idea will change your life in ways you can't even imagine. So become a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador today and we'll send you a free copy of Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy. Click the button below and join now.
Have a great day.
