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Father Len explains the relationship between commitment and happiness.
Highlights, Ideas, and Wisdom
- Father Len shares the story of NFL football player Bo Eason and what he learned about commitment from fellow Pro Jerry Rice.
- “There’s No Plan B for You’re A-Game” by Bo Eason
- Commitment breeds commitment. Indifference breeds indifference.
- There are two types of commitment: “even if” and “as long as.” Even if commitment never wavers even when there is trouble, hardship, sickness, sacrifice, and suffering. As long as commitment is always conditional on finding something easier and more pleasurable to do than keeping the commitment, like watching a favorite television show or going to a party.
- Father Len shares a favorite “even if” commitment story from the Book of Ruth in the Bible.
- Commitment leads simultaneously to suffering and happiness. Uncommitted people don’t suffer much pain, but surprisingly, it’s the committed people who are willing to suffer that end up happier.
- TED Talk: “The Surprising Science of Happiness” by Dan Gilbert
- Irish explains how commitment saved his marriage.
- Father Len embarrassingly explains how watching the Oprah Winfrey show helped him understand why couples who live together before marriage have double the divorce rate of those who don’t.
- “If you chase two rabbits… You will not catch either one.” – Russian proverb
- People who are low on commitment are also low on control over their egos.
- Bible symbolism: the number seven shows up frequently and is code for complete commitment.
- Happiness and suffering go together.