It is often said that you are responsible for your life. Whatever comes of this piece of existence is my accomplishment or my failure. Noted author and speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer (1940-2015) tells us, “Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make: Period!”This is somewhat true, but it is certainly not the whole picture. I think that we must question the totality of this statement. All of us, especially when we are young, are in desperate need of a mentor –someone who can give us a “role model” to pattern our lives on. I must understand how to be me, or at the very least, I must learn how to decipher my gifts. These skills are not innate,though; I must be taught.

What are the beginnings of joy? Joy emanates from the center of me. That being said, how do I achieve joy on a daily basis in a chaotic world? We are compelled to reevaluate the way we perceive reality. Joy itself is elusive and not easily acquired. The very beginning of this concept must be predicated on want: I truly want to be happy, contented, etc. Most of us, however, have grown up in a capitalistic system that is based on consumption. We are virtually pre-programmed to join the ranks of economic slaves and spend most of our lives in useless tasks that make the owners of capital richer and richer, and the working minions forced into a minor economic role, yet continuously trying to save money.