To make the most of your life, to nourish the causes of happiness for yourself and others, it takes strength, clear intentions, and persistent effort. This two-part essay explores how to establish powerful intentions and sustain the commitment to see them come true.
Clarify Your Major Priorities
Your fundamental purposes in life are supported by major priorities, which are fulfilled through specific commitments (see just below). When your purposes, priorities, and commitments all line up together toward positive ends, that creates a virtuous, effective, and happy life.
To clarify your true priorities, write a list of the major areas of your life (e.g. Health, Spirituality, Love, Pleasure, Marriage, Childrearing, Career, Creative Expression, and Finances). Create categories that mean something to you, and you can have as many as you like.
Next, consider how important each area or aim is to you. Bring to mind the view from the porch (see Part One), looking back from old age: What will you want your priorities to have been? Open up to the longings in your heart: What are they saying to you?
