Is it me, or is social media starting to resemble a ghost town? I’m half-expecting to see tumbleweeds float across my Facebook page, and I’ve heard others comment on how the level of engagement in meaningful conversations has diminished. Were it not for birthday wishes, talking sports, FB Reels and my hobby groups, I’d probably be OK with shutting down the account completely.
Take solace in knowing this year’s Thanksgiving column isn’t about the social and political division that’s gripping our country. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. You don’t want to read about it here; there’s countless other sources to absorb that variety of discourse, and your local, neighborhood trade publication ain’t one of them. Besides, I certainly don’t want to talk about it, as bringing up any major topic in the news is bound to light a powder keg. But from my vantage point, the United States seems to have a collective frown on its face.
It appears more and more people are letting their angst regarding the outside world infiltrate their own. Not to parrot any self-help psychology, but it’s important not to get overly concerned with big-picture events that are out of one’s control. To do so only causes frustration and a feeling of hopelessness/helplessness. That makes it more important to focus those things that are in our control, chief among them is your happiness. Sometimes we forget this.
I remember a conversation I had with my son when he was 16. He and his girlfriend had broken up, and he was taking it particularly hard. Like any other teenager, he was doubting his self-worth, wondering what was wrong with him that would make her want to stop dating. He wanted to put the onus on himself, even though he had done nothing that would prompt a split.
After a 30-minute father-son talk about how many frogs he would need to kiss until he finds his princess, the happiness topic was brought up. He needed to know that it was important for him to remain in charge of his own happiness and not let others dictate it. So, too, was it important to be judicious in the people he let into his world and to be mindful about weeding out the negative influences.
What I’m driving at, I guess, is the notion that when all the chatter in the larger world may cause anger and heartache, it’s best to look inward to one’s own world. It’s times like these that make me grateful I have a loving family, health (knock wood) and some terrific friends, including ENX’s readers. It is my world, and the sky within it is crystal blue. Some of my FB cohorts choose to shout at the clouds and curse the darkness they’ve allowed to permeate their world, not realizing they control the weather. It is so easy to lose track of what’s really important, what produces true happiness.
While we’re on the subject, I’d like to recommend a deeper dive. You may recall that GoodSuite CEO Dan Strull teamed with his longtime friend, the Honorable Stephen Pfahler, to pen “10X Happiness: Maximize Your Full Potential to Achieve Your Happiest Life,” released earlier this year. It is a work that “tie(s) together what constitutes success in your career, personal life, health and well-being.” It’s worth a read to perhaps unlock some of the doors that have remained closed to you for too long. Any dealers familiar with Danny know he’s a great guy, so give “10X Happiness” a read.
Thank you for humoring me, and most of all, thank you for being a part of the extended ENX family. Here’s hoping that health, love and happiness are all part of your world today and in the future.
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