Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much: Personal Narrative

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A poem called, “Success” was written in 1904 by Bessie Anderson Stanley. The first line reads, “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.” It gained some new popularity a few years ago and was printed in various ways on multiple products. “Live Well, Laugh Often and Love Much,” was one of the variations. To my pleasant surprise, many people would remark that the saying reminded them of me. I also have gifts of mugs, frames and wall hangings that validate their sentiments. Heartwarming as it was, I did not feel the confidence that I was doing that as well as I was getting credit for. The phrase would become a tag line to live up to, a basis for my personal philosophy and a road map for my goals. I think those words encompass the heart of our Creator.
Personal Philosophy
What drives me today is different from what did a few years ago. An unexpected set of circumstances proposed a far different path from the one I had planned. Priorities have changed. A typical day used to include my internal clock waking me to turn the heat on in my shop, study my list of contacts and appointments, send off a few email, put my headset on and multitask through production and calls before I head to a job site or meet with a customer. I found great meaning and purpose in that. Reading it aloud sounds a little shallow, but it was more than a job because it involved relationships, challenged me to strive for excellence and work in integrity. It gave me a sense that I was walking in who He made me, because most days I was out loving on folks, giving service where I could and adding a little beauty to the city. It did not feel like work. Fast forward to today and what gives me meaning and purpose is reframed. Being a clos...

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... in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth--that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire” (Frankl, 2006, p. 37). This is the greatest truth, perfect philosophy and most important goal in this life.

Works Cited

Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man's search for meaning. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Helen Keller. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.values.com/inspirational-quote-authors/1378- Helen-Keller
Helen Keller > quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/7275.Helen_Keller?page=5
Bear Vanas, D. J. E. The key to happiness: Gratitude. Native Peoples. Retrieved from https://softchalkcloud.com/lesson/files/AzZlu4VSx3GREQ/22945152.pdf
Myers, D. G. (2013). Happiness. Excerpted from Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers

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