An Act of Necessity becomes a Transformational Journey
Updated: Sep 13, 2019
Ordinary challenges are inspirational pathways for extraordinary opportunities. Driving for Uber and Lyft started as an act of necessity, it has now evolved into a movement to make the world a better and happier place. I learned that many people are unhappy! Many are really struggling to find fulfillment in life.
By any stretch of earthly imagination, I was considered very successful. I had a good paying job, married, with two beautiful daughters, a 4-bedroom/3 1/2 Car Garage house, Nice Vehicle (SUV), and more. To get there, I sacrifice my own happiness to support my wife in everything that she wanted to do while providing for my family. Once my wife became externally successful, and I was put on Medical Retirement from the Military, I decided to quit my job for the pursuit of my own happiness. This decision alone impacted everything in my life. I reached out to my partner to ask for financial assistance with the mortgage just so that we can maintain our standard of living. She told me “Well you knew what you were getting into when you decided to quit your job”. It became clear to me that I was on this earthly journey to happiness alone. I proceeded to use my Credit Card to keep up with the bills while trying to build my startup. I quickly found out that starting a business in t he manufacturing of consumer goods is very capital intensive. All my credit cards were maxed out and on July 18, 2018 I was only left with $50.00.
I decided to signup for Uber and Lyft and use my $50.00 to put gas in my vehicle. As I started to drive, I engaged my passengers with more meaningful conversations. I quickly realized that many people are struggling in life, they are not living their lives but are simply existing, they spend their lives giving away their time and freedom just to try to make it. It is through these conversations that I became intentional about asking people direct questions about happiness. When some would get into my vehicle, I would greet them gently, make them feel comfortable, and then asked:
- Me: What makes you happy?
- Passenger: The dog, the cat, my family, friends, and much more
- Me: Do you think that it is possible to be happy without the dog, cat, family, etc...
- Passenger: Yes!
- Me: If you can be happy without those external factors, so then what makes you happy?
- Passenger(s): Mmmhh, I really never thought about it that way!
These simple conversations showed that we really don’t take the time to think about our real source of happiness. My life as global citizen taught me through observations that, in Africa many people are happy with absolute poverty while here in many are unhappy in abundance. Over the course of a Year, I provide rides to more than 10,000 individuals and most were extremely delighted, grateful, and left my vehicle renewed. They left more determined to become more intentional about being happy.
The hundreds of conversations that took place inside my vehicle allowed me to find my voice with a clear message. In essence, my message is simple: Happiness flows from within. It is accessible to everyone regardless of their social circumstances. We are responsible for our own happiness and it will always be a matter of choice. Just like anything in life, we must be intentional about becoming happy if that is important and make it a priority. Money, things and all external possessions are ephemeral but spiritual goods are eternal. No one leaves this earth with an ounce of any material things they have accumulated over time. Everything in life is as complicated or as simple as we want to be. The Truth exists in its purest earthly form. It is available and accessible only to those who genuinely seek for it. For mankind, there is no happiness without freedom and the Truth will set those who embrace it free. It is the only journey worth our time.
Some may wonder why I do what I do. I can simply say that it is the purpose of my earthly presence and I fill fulfilled inspiring, educating, and encouraging my fellow human being to seek happiness first before anything else. Those who understand the Laws of Nature will fully understand that no one has ever done anything to anyone else. In other words, everything that one does onto others, actually do it ourselves. With that in mind, one can understand why I am very passionate and committed to this cause. The joy that I experience in interacting with others is priceless. The more I meet, talk, and interact with happy individuals or those willing to change, the greater my personal level of happiness and I want more of it until my last breath on earth.
The following quotes are personal good sources of inspiration:
"Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance. ” ― Roy T. Bennett
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”―Edmund Burke
“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”― Albert Einstein
“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?” ― Steve Job
If this inspires you, then I invite you to become a member of the www.revelationsandwonders.com community. Togeter, we will become the biggest network of positive thinkers who come together to inspire, be inspired, and support one another. In doing so, we will make the World a better and Happier place for all.
Fabien W. Edjou