Money & The Art of Bliss

James Clayton Napier MONEY & ART OF BLISS - By James Clayton Napier

“The lucky renew their energy through the activity in which they’re engaged.” — Max Gunther

Years ago, just a boy, I read a quote that influenced one of the author's readers more than that author, whose name I have forgotten, might ever have imagined.

"People never ask a man [or woman] who is a failure, "What is the secret of your failure?"

"Well, my secret is, now that you ask...."

How strong, I wonder, is your commitment to what you say, in your heart of hearts, you really want? Is there anything you can start doing today to power up your dream?

18th and 19th Century German poet, scientist, and author of Faust, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Until one is committed, there is hesitation, the chance to draw back, always making for ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative, there is one elemental truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.”

Goethe assured his readers that, with commitment, “A whole stream of events issues from the decision, working in our favor; all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance that no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.”

Isn’t it possible that the day you ask for a mountain to be moved from your life…and you wouldn’t be surprised if it did move…is the day it will move?

The great Joseph Campbell, shortly before his death, told a nationwide audience that watched his PBS series of conversations with Bill Moyers to, “follow your bliss.”

By bliss, Campbell meant your highest enthusiasm. “I have found that you have only to take one step toward the gods and they will take ten steps toward you,” he wrote.

What happens when you want to follow your bliss but are unable to give up your present job?

“Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.” — Charles Schultz

You can begin by reclaiming the hours you do own, the ones which may have been filled with clutter, distractions, and unnecessary obligations.

“What happens then?” you ask. “Suppose I grant myself the possibility that I might find fifteen or thirty extra minutes a day if I searched for them?”

Getting started toward “your bliss” is when the magic begins. The smallest progress opens springs of inner vitality. You’re re-energized as if every little cell in your body tingles with excitement (they know you’ve done something right)!

Sidney Friedman in his book Your Mind Knows More Than You Do listed what he called 17 common, sensible, simple, yet for some reason, often unobserved means to gratification.
The first four are:
*Pursue the work you love to do.
*Seek the people you love to be with.
*Find the place you love to live.
*Appreciate each of these discoveries.

My own experiences have taught me what truly matters is finding your place in life, being engaged work that energizes you and you instinctively feel and intuitively know you are here to do. This is work done in a spirit of service, for which you are well-paid, and which is always the result of an infinite passion for life.

Let’s go back to Goethe, who reminded us, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.”

Or, as Dr. Robert Schuller wrote in his book Possibility Thinking, "Never say 'No' to a great idea simply because it is impossible."

There is in that quote, I believe, a clue to The Art of Bliss. Joseph Campbell asked, "What was it you did as a child that created timelessness?"

That is a great question!

Singer Joan Baez had it right when she told an interviewer, "Action is the antidote to despair."

Work that creates timelessness, for which we are nicely compensated, that also creates inside us a sense that we have done well for ourselves and others, therein I suspect, lies a clue to The Art of Bliss.

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About the Author

As a television broadcaster, James Napier has shared meaning-filled conversations with film stars, recording artists, US Presidents and first ladies, state governors, world-famous authors, scientists, and people from most every walk of life. He has also taught television news broadcasting and communication courses at three U.S. universities. He is Media Director for an educational corporation.