A Podcast Discussing the Meaning of True Happiness.
In case that link doesn’t work, here is another – Does Success Equal Happiness?
Transcription
Welcome! My name is Zachary Mueller and this is the first ever episode of Short Sports Stories! Our purpose is to find purpose in sports. Now, the topic that I want to address today is the true meaning of success and happiness. We will look at a few stories, a few definitions, and we will learn a bit of what the experts say. But before we dig into the topic of the day, I have a piece of trivia for you. Now, don’t look up the answer on your phone or laptop (or whatever device you have). I just want you to guess off of the top of your head. What NBA player holds the record for attempting the most 3-point shots in a game, without making a single one? Now think about that question, write down your answer and stick around to the end of the podcast to find out.
So, the question is this, “Does Success = Happiness?” Well, before we dig into the topic let’s define our terms. What is success? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, success is defined as “A favorable or desired outcome”. I thought that definition was rather vague so I looked up Oxford Dictionary’s definition of success and they define it as “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. This definition means that if my goal for today is to eat macaroni and cheese for lunch, and I eat it for lunch, then I am, by definition, successful. I don’t know about you, but I think that is a funny way of looking at things.
OK, now let’s define the term happiness. Now this term is much harder because everyone in the world seems to have a different definition. However, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, happiness is “a state of well-being and contentment”. So by definition, if I am feeling well and I am truly content with absolutely everything in my life for a moment, then I am truly happy. So, now that we know what the dictionary defines these words as, let me ask the question I started out with again: “Does Success = Happiness”?
I believe that, deep down, every one of us wants to be successful in life. Success for you may look like having lots of money, having fame, or both. There are millions of Americans who want to “live the American Dream” and become rich. They say, “If I can only get the next promotion or pay raise, then I will be happy.” Many athletes even say to themselves all throughout high-school and college, “All I want is to be a star and make lots of money. If I’m able to do that, then I will be truly happy.” But is this true?
Let’s look at some people in history. How many famous and/or rich people, both athletes and non-athletes, can you think of who have committed suicide or have gone into depression because they were not satisfied nor happy. There are thousands! One famous and more recent example is Robin Williams. You know, the man who was the voice of the Genie in Aladdin? This man was one of the most-famous comedians in the world. His job was to make people happy. In addition, he was very rich. Celebrityworth.com estimates his net worth at $50 million dollars. So why did he commit suicide in 2014? Why couldn’t the man who spent his life making people happy not make himself happy?
Here is another thought for you… Why do some famous athletes take drugs? Is it because they need to “recover” from injuries? Maybe, but every year there are several cases of famous and pretty successful athletes who die from drug use or overdose. I believe that many of these athletes take drugs because they are not truly happy.
So, let me ask you again, “Does Success = Happiness?” I was reading a blog titled “Psychcentral.com” earlier today and I read an article by Christy Matta, a lady who has worked in mental health since 1994. The article was titled, “Does Success lead to Happiness”? I want to read to you word for word what she says at the very beginning. So, here is what Christy Matta of Psychcentral.com says, “It’s an age-old assumption: Success, whether in school, work or relationships, causes happiness. Many of us strive for success, putting long hours into our work or studies in the hopes of achieving success and, as a byproduct of that success, happiness. But a review of 225 studies in the Psychological Bulletin found that happiness doesn’t necessarily follow success. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Happiness leads to success.” I found this statement fascinating! Happiness leads to success! A psychological study found that happiness leads to success!
“So what is your point, Zachary?” Well, I just want to encourage you to strive first for true happiness in life instead of what most people do. True happiness is not found in being the biggest and best at everything. True happiness is found in being who God wants you to be and helping others.
Whoa! Did I just mention God? Yes – I did. In the Bible, God says in Proverbs 17:22 that “A merry (or happy) heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit drieth up the bones”. It is impossible to be truly happy if we are not right with God.
So, my answer to the question “Does Success = Happiness” is simply this – NO! NO! NO! NO! Happiness leads to true success and joy – but the statistics, experts, logic, and God Himself say that success does not equal happiness. However, we also need to realize that true happiness can only be found in a personal relationship with God. If you would like to know more about how to know God personally and get this true happiness and purpose in your life, then go to my blog and click on the link in the section about me that is titled “How you can know God.” I will give you that blog in just a moment so hang on.
OK, now the moment you have been waiting for. The answer to the question, “What NBA player holds the record for attempting the most 3-point shots in a game, without making a single one?” What was your guess? Well, the answer is Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks. On November 23, 2018, in a game versus the Phoenix Suns, Lopez attempted twelve 3-pointers and he missed every single one. No joke, he missed every single one. Well that about wraps up the discussion on this topic for today. Stay tuned for whenever the next podcast comes out, please visit my blog – storiesaboutathletes.fitness.blog, and press like and subscribe. I hope this podcast has, if nothing else, been enjoyable for you to listen to. I hope you will come back! May God bless you!
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