OFCI Report: Editor's Articles

Ask yourself this question..."Am I happy with the way my life is now?" If you answered yes then maybe you just may get something out of this that is useful, but if you answerd no then the whole article is for you. You find many people today that are not happy with their lives and the situations they find themselves in. Be it because of the economy and finacial whoas, from them being ill and are limited with their choices to make in life, to them just making the wrong decisions in life that has landed them where they are now. But regardless to the fact of why, the bottom line is they are not happy. An of course the biggest reason of all that I have found that causes people to be unhappy with their life is living to please other people. How many of you are in the situation you are in because you wanted to make Mama, Grandmama, Dad, "The Family" proud of you by doing what they wanted you to do and not what you felt you wanted to do from your heart....Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting your family to be proud of you, but at the end of the day when the lights go out, you have to be satisfied with the decisions you have made and hope that they bring you the fulfillment you are looking for. Often times you find people living their family's dream, because mom or dad wants to live vicarously through them, and as a result that person has lived their whole career upset, frustrated and empty because he or she is following someone elses vision and not their own. Then finally one day you take stock of your life and ask yourself, What have I done or am I doing with myself, because you feel wasted and trapped. An as the days go by, instead of breaking free from your chains that are holding you prisoner career wise, you stay shackled because you don't want to disappoint or let anyone down. But what about you and your life and your dreams. Aren't they worth something to, aren't they worth you going out and explore so that you can make something out of your life and see what you have to offer the world and what the world has to offer to you. Some of the best ideas are being held down or pushed back or sitting on the back burner because you sit them there because of other people's opinions or thoughts of what your life should be like that you seem to conform to. How many times have you come up with an idea of some sort and you have presented it to a family member or a friend and because they didn't agree with it or like it, you put it under wraps. Well guess what, what you have done in that situation is made them your world....and any discouragement they give you on any thought you take whole heartedly. But the truth is, that when it comes to you contributing your gifts, ideas, thoughts and talents to everyone, your audience is far more wider and broader than those in your home or in your neighborhood. There are far more people that just may love what you aim to do, and would proudly take part in what you have to offer.  But if you limit yourself to just what those around you say, then how will you know if you will succeed or not? Now a lot of folks that read this may think that this harsh and cruel and that I am telling you to turn your back on your family. To the contrary what I am saying is...When it come down to you and your life you only get one shot at living it. And with that one shot you need to make the most of it and do what makes you feel happy and fulfilled. Now if the decision that you make is to do what the family wants you to do or follow the family tradition, then you have made your choice. But make sure you are not doing what you do out of guilt and obligation. Listen, there are other ways to make your family proud of you...Simply being a success, a good mom or dad, or good son or daughter. but the one thing is for sure that before you can make anyone happy and proud of you....the best thing to be first is Happy and Proud of youself...Live YOUR Dreams and not no one else.