As the narrative ends, Scrooge’s purpose is no longer money, but
people. He now cares about people. He cares about their financial
circumstances and their physical condition. He sees himself happily
in relationships with others, lending a hand any way he can. He values
helping people more than hoarding money and believes money is
good for the good it can do.
What is his priority? Where he once saved money and used
people, he now uses money to save people. His overriding priority is
to make as much money as he can so he can help as many as he can.
His actions? He is productive throughout his days putting every penny
he can toward others.
The transformation is remarkable, the message unmistakable.
Who we are and where we want to go determine what we do and what
we accomplish.
A life lived on purpose is the most powerful of all—and the
happiest.
HAPPINESS ON PURPOSE
Ask enough people what they want in life and you’ll hear happiness as
the overwhelming response. Although we all have a wide variety of
specific answers, happiness is what we most want—yet, it’s what
most of us understand the least. No matter our motivations, most of
what we do in life is ultimately meant to make us happy. And yet we
get it wrong. Happiness doesn’t happen the way we think.
To explain, I want to share an ancient tale with you.
THE BEGGING BOWL
Upon coming out of his palace one morning and encountering a
beggar, a king asks, “What do you want?” The beggar laughingly
says, “You ask as though you can fulfill my desire!” Offended, the
king replies, “Of course I can. What is it?” The beggar warns, “Think
twice before you promise anything.”