The 9 Overlapping Arches of Life

In my business lecture class the professor was talking about the "Science of Happiness" and outlined characteristics of happy people. One of the things that the most happy people had in common was that they are involved in something the believe is bigger than themselves and they tend to describe their daily work as a "calling" rather than a job or career. So how do you pick your calling?

He gave us three questions to ask ourselves:

1. What do you really enjoy doing?
2. What provides you with a sense of purpose?
3. What are you good at? What comes naturally?

Look for answers that overlap all these questions.

Then he gave a list of 9 "Overlapping Arches of Life" or in other words, "sweeping callings" and asked us to pick the one that moves us:

1. Feed the Hungry
2. Clothe the Naked
3. Heal the Sick
4. Comfort the Lonely
5. Liberate the Captive
6. Educate the Ignorant
7. Spread truth
8. Increase Beauty
9. Heal or Promote Families

It wasn't hard for me to choose the one that best suited me. Mine is to Increase Beauty. It is consistent with the things I've done and the things have always enjoyed and have gained purpose out of throughout my life. What is your calling?

Business/Economic Majors?

Okay,

So I am a film major... and proud of it. You know, I wish with all my heart that what I loved to do was something solid and profitable. But it isn't. And believe me, I tried quite a few paths before I finally chose to do what I really enjoy. Still, I cannot just major in film and disregard the possibility that it isn't the most stable foundation for a career. For this reason, I am also minoring in business.

This semester I am in Economics 110. So far I find it to be a pretty good class... other than the fact that the people who take the class annoy the heck out of me! There are so many of those people who just love to hear themselves talk in this class. And that is all they are- all talk. They will blurt out an answer before the professor has a chance to explain it, just to appear like they know what they are doing. Well, hate to say it, but so far it has all been really easy.

Then you have the people that make comments like, "is that all you are going to ask on the question? It seems too easy!" Even know I know that same person took 4 times longer to do the problem with the help of his more knowledgeable neighbor than it took me. Then he'll express disappointment when "we [didn't] get to graph it." It just makes me nauseous. One of the problems involved the Jonas Brothers and how they spend their time. The amount of time they could work was limited to 4 hours each. To that someone next to me responded with sarcasm- "like everyone in the entertainment business." Well, so far I'm not too impressed with these business majors either. Is it too much to ask for some respect? Choosing a liberal arts major isn't an easy choice. It takes courage to study what you love to hopefully have a career that you are passionate about.

I like the people that are in my program. Sure, some are a bit eccentric or a little too liberal, but I can work with them and respect them. I enjoy having class with them. There isn't any of this nasty competition and trying to be the best and stand out from your peers. It involves working together and using each of your talants to create story or art or history. Maybe this is a confirmation that I am going into the right field for me.

Just Friends?

SO I never did write about that last post. Oh well. I'm not sure it is entirely possible to just be friends with the opposite sex. It seems there is some tension there. For some reason, I have always had a small group of friends that I am always with. I have never been one of those "friends with everyone" type of people. But eventually I feel like things get messed up with the friendships I form and I have to find another group of friends to hang with and start over.

I heard some very valid remarks about guys who hang out with girls but don't ask them out. The question was, how is it that guys think certain girls are awesome and hang out with and talk to them all the time and get their ego boosted by them and never ask them out?

I thought this was a very good point and it made me wonder if I should fix the way I fill my need for friendship. I kind of end up feeling like a bad friend. At the same time I have certain thoughts about the situation that is contrary to this opinion.

First, just because I think a girl is awesome and smart and all that good stuff- even if I find her attractive- It doesn't mean there is that special spark. I enjoy the company of intelligent attractive girls because we have fun conversation and share like interests. Second, say you do like one girl in the group. Well, you can try that out... but it could cause bitterness. And if it ends then you loose a lot of good friendships. It just happens that way.

Maybe I'm just selfish. I think there might be plenty of those who would say I'm not such a good friend. I'm sorry for that. Really. And I don't try to frustrate girls I hang out with.

More than money

I'll write about this later...

End of the Year Checklist

I know everyone makes lists of goals and things for the new year. But, I really want to get some things done before the end of the year. I've come to the realization that I could graduate in 3 semesters which isn't so far away. I need to get my stuff together. So I've come up with this to-do list that kind of encompasses multiple to-do lists and goals. I guess the list is really a bunch of goals to make goals. haha.

• Create a realistic budget
• Come up with a list of short film ideas that I can make during school
• Plan to enter film competitions and get internships
• Set semester goals
• Map out the rest of my schooling
• Make a list of short and long term educational, spiritual, and other personal goals
• Create a one-year and five-year life plan
• Start my life to-do list

Ehh, that will be a lot of work. I just need a lot of focus to do everything I want to. There are so many things I want to accomplish.