ONE37pm’s community of readers is an expert-level resource. You guys are burgeoning entrepreneurs, street-style aficionados, consumers of popular culture and in the know on all things sports. And we’ve seen your skillful comments on our gaming articles. It’s almost as if you should be writing articles yourselves.
It’s only right that you get a chance to shine each month. Welcome to ONE37pm’s Contributors Club. We ask, and you answer.
The following five responses capture people at different stages of their lives, all searching for their universal truth.
Happiness is out there, fam. You just have to choose it.
About two years ago, I started a new job. I was in a horrible rut of hating work, taking care of my 1-year-old, going home and working two jobs. I started listening to Gary Vaynerchuk’s podcast and was inspired. Just as I was looking for hope, a friend introduced me to my current job and a new life.
So what is making me happy in my life right now is everything. Two years ago, I made a leap for my family and have not looked back. I have two beautiful children who I spend time with, laugh with, smile with and we make incredible memories as a family. I still have the same amazing job and have been promoted twice.
Not everything in life is perfect: I still hustle on the side for my family for some extra money, but my wife, my family and my job are truly making me so happy. It’s been a while since I felt this good.
What is making me happy is having found the courage to make a lateral career move from dentistry to human resources and administration at 30 years old—too young by Gary Vaynerchuk's terms.
It is scary and it took a lot of courage to take the plunge, but guess what? I'm happy because this is not a mandatory education. My new job fits my personality and, above all, it maximizes my strengths.
I spent the past few months trying to find an individual, or a group of people, who would be able to truly understand what I am. To understand my vision. To grasp what it is that I yearn to accomplish. For them to stand beside me and say, “This is the most significant journey you will ever take. We know why. We see ourselves in you. We stand beside you.’’
Just when hope started evading, I stumbled upon a gentleman, one of the most inspiring people I have ever come across. As I followed him, I slowly found myself in the company of a remarkable team. I was not only seen but the sheer power of breathing with gladiators cemented the ground beneath my feet. And I can truly feel that come anything, my tribe has arrived. It is here. I am small, but I am also many. I am significant. What I care about is worth caring about because he cares about it and she does too. They care. They see. We. We are us. I am them. They are me. I once looked to only relate, but then I found friendship. I once wanted to smile, and now I am resiliently happy. These are people who see me as whole because they house wholesomeness in their heart. And I am wholeheartedly happy too.
Yes.
Although it may sound strange to some, I’m happy that I was forced to drop out of my dream school after my first year of college.
When I started my college classes, I realized that I was way out of my depth. I lacked the motivation and the study skills to perform at a high level in rigorous courses. On top of that, I had taken out $10,000 in student loans for two semesters of school just to get my basics out of the way. At the end of the year, I received a notice from the financial aid department that I was no longer eligible, meaning I couldn’t afford to pay for classes.
So, with a failing GPA and a damaged ego, I moved back home to attend a local community college where classes were much cheaper. Over the next two years, I took classes in areas such as business, criminal justice and kinesiology, which allowed me to explore my many interests while earning my associate degree. I ended up majoring in business and gaining a lot of practical knowledge. I also regained my financial aid eligibility to continue my studies at a more affordable four-year university where I have the opportunity to become the first person in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I’ve learned a lot about self-worth over time as I reflect on my past failures. I realized that a degree from a fancy university doesn’t make you a better person; investing in yourself and making genuine connections with people does. I’m happy for my past failures because they turned out to be blessings in disguise, and I’m happy that more will come because I know that I will make the most out of them.
I’m a 16-year-old from Mumbai, India. What makes me happy is that I’m making a lot of progress and facing my fears. I’ve started a design firm and, along with my friends, we are launching this November. So I’m super pumped for that experience. I also love school (weird, I know), but it’s because I love math and science. I’m also truly grateful for all the support my parents and family have bestowed on me. It makes me genuinely happy.
