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Necessary goals

"When we set goals and put legs to our desires and teach them, it definitely does do the heart good.  A listless life that never strives to reach goals can feel lost.  The research says that not only the attainment of our goals but also the pursuit brings joy along the way.  As happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomitsky says, 'People who strive for something personally significant, whether it's learning a new craft, changing careers, or raising moral children, are far happier than those who don't have strong dreams or aspirations.  Find a happy person and you will find a project.'  Further, 'it turns out that the process of working toward a goal, participating in a valued and challenging activity, is as important to well-being as its attainment....

"Not that an entire life can look like the spring of that one week.  Life is a marathon.  But what we know about goals tells us that both the sprints of short-term goals and the marathon of a life spent pursuing longer-term goals and purposes contribute to satisfaction and well-being.  They give us something to give ourselves to and invest our passions and strengths in.  They help contribute to the 'flow,' which is a happiness factor in and of itself.  They structure our lives and give them direction.  They help order our time and energy.  And a host of other benefits that contribute to a sense of well-being." - Henry Cloud in The Law of Happiness

Looking forward to meeting goals, short-term and long-term, is hope giving and life giving.  We need something to look forward to.

Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado.  She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928.
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