The Three Secrets of Life.

Today's Marketing Cookie is about the three secrets of life.

Yes, there are three secrets to life that I have figured out, which have made my life much less complicated. You may agree or disagree. They may be old news for you or perhaps they will provide a breakthrough. Either way, I am happy to share them with you. Do with them what you will, and as you see fit.

I learned long ago, but not early enough, that there's really no final goal to achieve, no destination to reach, nor any top status to earn in my lifetime. I used to think, "If I get this much money, if I buy these things, or if I get this kind of job, then I will have made it." However, when I had earned the money, bought the stuff, and obtained the highest position, I realized there was still so much more yet to do. I don't believe there will ever come a time when I will be able to say, "I know it all, I have done it all, and there's nothing more to learn." When I finally understood that life is all about the journey, rather than a destination, life became less complicated.

I learned long ago, but not early enough, that the world is empty and without meaning. I agree that our lives are full of meaningful moments and memories, but the world itself has no meaning of its own. We force a meaning on everything that happens, or on whatever doesn't happen. We can't help it. A storm that blows a tree down on your birthday doesn't mean anything, but we do a good job of making it mean something. When someone looks at us, or doesn't look at us, it doesn't mean anything, but we work really hard to find a way to make it mean something. When I finally realized that I am designed to give every situation a meaning, even though it would otherwise be meaningless, life became less complicated.

I learned long ago, but not early enough, that the future doesn't exist and the only time I will ever have is the present, this moment, right now. I used to be a chronic procrastinator, putting off and deferring responsibilities, prolonging decisions, and being unproductive. I did this because I thought the future was infinite. I've learned, however, that this moment, at 5:30 in the morning on a Wednesday, is the only moment I really have, and I am actively choosing to write this marketing cookie. Tomorrow doesn't exist in what I choose to do with the time I have right now. This is not to say that I don't set goals, because I do. My goal was never to write over 350 marketing cookies, but rather to write one every day. By managing my goals to be obtainable and actionable in the present, I no longer look to the future. I no longer talk about tomorrow, one day, or someday, and my life became less complicated.

These are the three secrets I have learned to make my life easier. I believe there is no destination, the world is meaningless, and there is no future. If you can remember these three things, you will enjoy the journey, you won't become so skeptical of the world, and you will be more productive without so much pressure. People ask me how I am accomplishing so much in my life. For me, the answer is easy. I tell them just what today's fortune says, "Life is not a mystery to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." It is true, but remember, only you can make it mean something, and the best time to start is right now.