Jared Akers

Happiness Is…

by Jared Akers

Many people view happiness as subjective; that it can be different for everyone and thus impossible to develop a “one size fits all” approach to finding happiness. Yet it seems deep down inside everyone I’ve met and worked with, there’s something deeper and more common then we think in all of us; the yearning for peace of mind.

We’ve all heard the statement, “you can’t buy happiness.” Some of us, myself included, have often responded with something like, “that’s something only rich people say,” or “give me a million and let me try!” Even though we may believe this statement to be true, we still attempt to find happiness through monetary rewards or material possessions don’t we? I’m one freakin’ happy guy I think, yet there are times when I still struggle with wanting new things. The latest is a new road bike.

The difference today is I just get more creative at rationalizing things. However, I am more aware of my motives today; before I spend my hard earned money on something I really ask myself if it’s something I need. More often then not, I end up putting stuff back on the shelf. [Read more…]

Everything Happens for a Reason. Does it Really?

by Jared Akers

You hear people say it all the time: “Everything Happens for a Reason.” But does everything happen for a reason? Or is it our job to give reason to it?

This saying, or idea, intrigues me. My logical brain (which I try not to entertain too much) views it as a tool for dealing with acceptance, although this tool only works when we choose to use it ourselves.

Most of us know you shouldn’t walk up to someone who just experienced some tragic event, be all optimistic and say, “everything happens for a reason dude.” You may get punched in the face for good reason.

In a sense, I don’t believe everything happens for a reason. Yes, I believe God reveals things to me or puts people and circumstances in my life, but it’s what I learn from those experiences that brings reason to them. It’s more a matter of faith; faith that no matter what the obstacle, I can get through it and learn from it. A faith that only comes from experience. Prior to developing this faith, I was constantly filled with fear and anxiety. [Read more…]

Step Into My Office, Cause You’re Fired!

by Jared Akers

Hello middle man, please step into my office. Huh? What’s that?

Why you say?

Because you’re fired.

I always want to have the best stuff up here as possible in case my future agent stops by and realizes today is the day, if I have something amazing posted, she’s going to offer me that book deal. And then I was reading a post by WSL (Worlds Strongest Library) and he quotes Seth Godin,

If someone can write down your job description, they can find someone to do your job cheaper. There’s no job description that describes being yourself.

I was thinking the other day (you’ve been warned) that I used to be quite witty; funny actually… although that’s what people say when they’re not funny. Do crazy people know they’re crazy? And then I started to wonder if I still was or if any humor comes through in my writing at all. Of course I also wondered once if I was a sociopath since someone smarter than I suggested they always seem to know just what to say and how to make people happy. And now I’m realizing that anyone that says they’re witty probably isn’t. [Read more…]

Recipe for Happiness

by Jared Akers

The term “recipe for happiness” is interesting… as if you can put in certain ingredients; throw it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and out pops happiness. Sort of like those cooking shows we’ve all seen where they put the dish in the oven and pull the finished product out of the one below it. Could finding happiness really be that easy?

Making Your Happiness Cake

Like any great cake, it starts with great ingredients; what are the ingredients you think we need in our happiness cake? Here are my suggestions:

1 Cup Inner Peace
1 Cup of Spirituality
1 Cup of a Realistic Perspective of Yourself
1 Cup of Gratitude
A Sprinkle of Service Work

[Read more…]

From Fear to Love: A Spiritual Journey

by Jared Akers

I‘ve been searching for practical tools and exercises on how to best initiate the walk along a spiritual journey or path for quite some time. A few days ago, after reading his free report on transforming fear, I came across Dr. Tim Ong’s eBook “From Fear to Love: A Spiritual Journey.”

I come across products like this all the time, yet I’ve always felt that a spiritual journey is too intimate or personal to put into a one-size-fits-all type program. And as I’ve discussed some ways to increase our spirituality through practical prayer, and other techniques on spiritual growth, I was still in search for something easily understood that could be practiced by anyone from any faith or walk of life. So I decided what they heck, what do I have to lose? So I purchased this product and gave it a thorough review. I must say I was really impressed. [Read more…]