Often when I write an article, I generally know the answer to the question I am asking … in this case I do not have the answer, or at least all of it. Rather, I know the question, and I know the importance of the question … I just don’t know the answer to the question.

The other day I read an article on the internet that discussed the word “happiness” and how it is so often misused. Some examples would be, find a job that makes you happy, and what you do for a living won’t be considered work; find a hobby that makes you happy, etc. This author drew a pretty sharp distinction with this term, you see there are lots of things that make us happy, I can buy a new car and I am happy, I can take a vacation and I am happy, I can attend a sporting event where my team wins and I am happy.

However, the issue with happiness as used in these contexts is it is short-lived and only has a limited lifespan. Meaning, I may buy a new car today, and be happy and excited; however, in five years that car will be five years old, and there is a strong likelihood that my happiness and excitement for that vehicle waned long ago. The same with watching my favorite sports team win: most likely that happiness will only reside within me until the next time they play.

Instead, this author said the goal that we should be focused on is fulfillment. You see, where happiness is a short-term venture, fulfillment is long term and doesn’t wane with time or life’s intervening events. In reading this article, I agree, I think we often get the two terms confused with one another, and instead of seeking fulfillment we are seeking happiness, which ultimately becomes an endless chase.

The question I personally don’t know the answer to is, “what is it that fulfills you.” I used to think I knew the answer to this question, but realize I only know parts of what fulfills me. What is funny is I also visit with a lot of people on a very personal basis, and they often speak the words that they are very fulfilled, but the problem is they don’t act like they are. Most of these people I am thinking of are pessimistic about life, critical of others, don’t seem very happy, and seldom smile. I am of the opinion that actions speak louder than words.

Now the hard part of today’s article: what is it that fulfills you? Understand there are seven billion people living in the world today, and that means there are probably about seven billion different versions of fulfillment. The question is, “what is your means of fulfillment?”