Preaching to the Choir

Now and then, it appears to me that we are getting soft.

I wonder why I feel that way and I read the local newspaper hotline and see lots of people calling in to complain but few people offering their solutions to make things better. Knowing the loyal readers of this blog as I do, I’m probably preaching to the choir when I say these things; still I wanted to do so.

Call it my Monday medicine.

I’ve written before that I think a key to real happiness is to set some goals – whatever those might be – and work toward fulfilling them. Once you’ve achieved something, your confidence grows and you’re ready to take on something else. 

Reasonable goals might be:

• Start a fitness program
• Begin a household project
• Take up a new hobby
• Find a cause you support and volunteer to help it

The world isn’t picky. There are unlimited opportunities for the taking.

It probably wouldn’t surprise you that I’m a support of the notion of volunteerism. This is, after all, Coach Jeff’s Blog. I was Coach Jeff for 11 years. I started coaching Paul’s team when he was four and I didn’t stop until he his ball-playing days were over.

It’s not that I coached the team. We coaches also prepped the fields, made repairs around the ballpark, raised funds, collected paperwork. And so on and so on.

And you know what? We loved every minute of it.

It just seems to me that some folks didn’t get any of those messages about goal-setting and the pride that comes with achieving them.

Modern society has taught us that is somehow more fulfilling to dive into the murky waters of pop culture. Learn the latest catchphrase, memorize it and say it. And repeat it. Re-post the latest meme and chuckle about it. Engage in witty banter.

Yes, that’s the key to happiness. Witty banter.

I’m not a total spoiled sport. I get the idea of entertainment. And I embrace it. Part of my recent community service was to support the Farragut High School theatre program in a variety of roles.

I just believe that the feeling of satisfaction you get from watching the ‘latest must see tv’ is temporary; the burst is momentary.

Then, the show goes off. What do you do now? It’s back to reality? Or wait for the next broadcast.

It’s kind of like eating dessert before you have had some sort of real nourishment. It’s yummy but the gain doesn’t last long, does it?

Well, while you’re waiting to blurt out the next catchphrase, maybe it’s time to get off the couch and really do something.  There is a world full of opportunities waiting for you 

And I predict if you get involved with something – whatever that might be – you’ll be happy with the results.

JG

Originally posted 6/23/2014