The Pursuit of Happiness
Once upon a time, in the snowy town of North Star, lived a tiny little Chihuahua named Chester. He was excited for the upcoming Christmas holiday but was also filled with anticipation about his life's calling.
After months of pondering amidst the twinkling Christmas lights, Chester finally realized he wanted to be Santa's helper, guarding the presents under the tree.
Chester’s mom had given him all the time in the world to choose his role in the festive season. But her patience was wearing thin as the holiday approached. “Chester, have you decided how you want to contribute to this Christmas? All of your brothers and sisters have already chosen their roles. Why are you taking so long to find your Christmas spirit?” asked his mother.
“Mom, I want to be a guard dog for Santa's presents,” Chester declared excitedly.
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re so small. You can't be a guard dog; the reindeer might step on you.” remarked Chester’s mother, worried about her little pup.
But Chester was not deterred. His determination shone brighter than the Christmas star. “Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I am going to guard Santa's presents,” said Chester before he pranced away.
The very next morning, he started practicing his new role. His friends were big dogs like Saint Bernards and Alaskan Malamutes, but Chester felt confident in his ability to succeed.
When he returned home from his practice sessions, Chester would exercise to build up his strength. It was tough, especially in the chilly winter weather, but he stuck to his mission. He knew he could do it.
On Christmas Eve, Chester's big test came. He had to protect the presents under the tree from mischievous hands. And, because of his hard work and quick reflexes, he successfully guarded the presents until everyone woke up on Christmas morning!
Against all odds, Chester became the littlest guard dog for Santa's presents. Moral: Chase your dreams no matter how unlikely success may seem. Even the smallest can shine brightly during Christmas.
Moral: Chase your dreams no matter how unlikely success may seem. Even the smallest can shine brightly.
Personal reflection
Initially, Chester’s fear of failure kept him from pursuing his dream of being a guard dog. And, when he finally worked up the courage to follow his passion, he was criticized. Nonetheless, Chester stuck to his guns and achieved exactly what he set out to do.
He pursued his happiness and won.
Surely, you’ve encountered a situation where your lack of confidence has stopped you from chasing something you know you would love to do. However, if you don’t even try, you've already lost the battle.
Maybe you couldn’t give that executive your elevator pitch because you thought he wouldn’t spare a second to talk to you. Or you may have even opted for a “safe” college major rather than what you truly love to do.
It’s important to remember that every day is an opportunity to succeed. Pursuing your happiness can effectively be done just one step at a time.
If you want to be a doctor someday, the first step is showing up to class. If you want to work as a bridal consultant, the first step is handing out resumes. And if you want to start a family, the first step is trying to conceive with your spouse.
Once you take the first step, the ones that follow seem to fall into place!
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. Do I have the confidence to chase my dreams?
2. Have I sat down to truly define what my dreams are?
3. What is my day-by-day game plan to ensure my success?
As we draw towards the end of another year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support and companionship on this journey. Your engagement and feedback have been instrumental in shaping our discussions and sparking thought-provoking conversations. As we step into the festive season, I want to take this opportunity to wish each one of you a Merry Christmas! May this season bring you peace, joy, and fulfillment, and may the coming year be filled with new opportunities for growth and success. Thank you for being a part of our community, and here's to a fantastic year ahead!