Photo by Nghia Le on Unsplash

The (not so) secret to happiness

Having goals is the goal

I ran into a former student today who may hold the key to living a fulfilling life.

Eric was a ninth grader when he was part of my class. Now, he stood before me as a private in the U.S. Army.

Eric is one of those kids you cannot help but like. He is never not smiling. Even when he doesn’t technically smile, you know that one is brimming just below the surface waiting to show itself. He is friendly and approachable to everyone, and his positive attitude is contagious.

I recall the memorable Instagram video of 17-year-old Eric doing a back-flip off a boat into the lake. As he landed in the water, his chin hit the edge of the boat. He proudly showed off pictures of his swollen lower lip and the stitches his injury required.

One could question his judgment, but he is definitely a risk-taker.

Four years ago, I casually asked his class about their college or career ambitions. As is typical for kids that age, most had no idea.

Eric did.

“I’m gonna join the Army” he said, his eyes twinkling and a grin lighting up the room. The others looked at him and shrugged him off. But he sat there so sure of himself that I could not erase that image from my mind.