Happiness is purposeful

Statisticians estimate that the odds of life happening by random chance is 1:1x10 to the 40,000 power. This astronomically small number is based on what we currently understand what would be needed to produce, transcribe, and translate DNA into proteins that are required to form a single cell. As we get more information, the odds go down. This is also based on the existence of a "primordial soup" that contains all the raw materials needed to form a cell, and that these elements have no intelligence themselves. Thus it's all random (except for the existence of the "primordial soup").

This philosophy makes us think that life is generally accidental. Our birth is a random event of millions of sperm trying to get into an egg -- the one that gets in first wins, also known as "survival of the fittest." Talents are doled-out randomly by genetic sorting, making some more intelligent, more beautiful, or healthier. Wealth comes by luck to those who "win the lottery" by being born that way, making it in business, or knowing the right people. Thus, we are told that not only life, but all that we want or need is built on random chance.

Reality is so much easier to swallow! Nothing is random. Everything is planned. All things are known, down to the position of every subatomic particle (Heisenberg's principle only applies to observers in the same dimension). Chaos is only ignorance of the variables. Events only seem to be random to an observer who lacks understanding. In reality, everything is easy when we know how it works. Knowledge is the key ingredient needed to dispel the "random" myth.

The happy benefits of understanding everything is that it takes away the anxiety of randomness, and at the same time it gives power. If we have the capability of knowing how everything works, then we can control all events. We can control birth, genetics, wealth, health, and even talents if we know the principles behind them. Knowledge has to have a Source, there must be One who knows, and can dispense that knowledge to us. This is God, our Creator, our Father. Nothing is random to Him because He knows all the principles behind every action and reaction. This is real power.

Traditionally, man's understanding of God has been very limited, and those who believed in God found evidence in miraculous events. For example, any average person today could go back in time only a couple of centuries and convince the people of that time that he was a god because of their ignorance. For this reason, many believe that God only exists in the gaps in our knowledge, that if we can understand and control all of these things, then we will dispel the need for God. After all, God is the supernatural entity, and when nothing is supernatural, then God will cease to exist. But nothing could be further from the truth.

If I were from another place and time, and walked into a house and turned on a faucet and fresh, clean hot or cold water came out I might think that was miraculous. I might think a plumber was a worker of miracles. However, as I learned about reservoirs, pipes, pumps, and faucets, I would no longer see the water as a miracle. It's just a plumber using the principles of fluid dynamics to direct the flow of water to, and through, the house. This knowledge, though, does not make the plumber cease to exist. Even if I could do all the plumbing myself, the plumber still exists, and has other work to do.

God is like the plumber, but with the knowledge of everything. Everything is based on principles. All improvement requires a plan, along with the energy and materials to carry-out the plan. If we don't know the principles on which an effect happens, we have no way of making a plan, or improving. We are dependent on God. Where farmers are ignorant of the principles of irrigation, they are dependent on God for rain to grow anything. However, when we know how things work, and all the possibilities, we become independent, being able to make plans and carry them through. Knowing the principles of any subject gives power to change, to create, to nurture life, and to grow.

Of course, this changes the nature of our relationship with God from dependent to peer. When we have God's knowledge, we have His power as well. Children go through the same process with their parents. My brothers and I thought my dad was superman, and my mom was Einstein. However, as we began to understand the principles, and grow up a little, we have become peers with them. They are still strong and smart, but we no longer need them for knowledge and power. In the same way, ultimately, when we possess all knowledge God does not cease to exist, instead, we become as He is. He is always our Father, but He is teaching us to grow up and become like Him by giving us knowledge of the principles upon which life, and happiness, are based.

Some examples of principles of happiness that I have learned include:

• Freedom comes from organization
• Wealth comes from monitoring finances
• Growth comes from planning, and following a plan
• Health comes from proper food and activity, avoiding toxins, and loving others
• Love is intentionally helping others to grow
• Mindful living is essential to joy

Without obeying the principles, we cannot have the benefits. Without knowing the principles we cannot plan to keep them. Knowledge is therefore necessary for health, wealth, joy, happiness, and love. We need God to teach us these and other principles so we can plan and fulfill our full destiny. Our purpose is to be happy, and that comes as we grow up, learn, and live the principles of happiness.

You can't have growth in ignorance. It isn't random. It isn't an accident. Randomness does not exist; whatever seems random is just a lack of understanding of all the variables, or a failure to plan. Being subject to time, we cannot even see all of the possibilities because we only know part of what is now before us. We cannot go back, nor can we see forward in time. Our limitations are what make us dependent on God. However, as He teaches us, and we come to understand the principles that govern any part of our existence, then we can take control of our own growth and development. Control is the issue. Power is the need. Knowledge is essential. Happiness can only come as we seek it, learn the principles, and live them.

On Business Leaders and Orchestra Conductors

The conductor

We buy our tickets to go to the Music Center to listen to Esa Pekka Salonen conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra. We find our seats in anticipation of the performance. The conductor comes out and bows to the audience. We clap. He turns, and there is silence. Then the music starts and we listen spellbound to the beautiful strains of Brahms while the conductor stands up front and waves his arms around randomly. It looks so easy! The conductor doesn't make a single sound, but he gets all the praise for what we hear.  He didn't write the music.  We don't even know that he can play an instrument, but we applaud him for the beautiful music he created. It almost seems ironic!

As a leader, what Mr. Salonen does is amazing! He brings good musicians together to do so much more than any could do alone -- produce great music. We don’t see the hours he has trained each of the players in the orchestra. During the performance, he is just directing timing and giving signs – each player has already been instructed to do exactly what he wants them to do.

The players already know their instruments. They have practiced every day for hours, and know how to play anything. Each has the ability to make beautiful music alone, in small groups, or in an orchestra. They can get together with other musicians and improvise. While many can play an instrument, the conductor is looking for those who can give him the sound he wants. The players in an orchestra may be technically perfect, but it's the conductor that brings them together.

The conductor spends hours with them as a group, practicing each piece, telling each of them what he wants to hear coming out of their instruments. He tells some to soften, others to play louder, he makes the timing perfect so each comes in on cue. The conductor brings them together so the entire orchestra plays as one, while each does his own job. Without him they wouldn't have the impact of an excellent performance. The art of the performance really is all about the conductor, but after all the training, his presence in front of the orchestra becomes almost superfluous.

Business Leadership

In the same way, a good leader in business trains his staff to function the way he wants over time. They are all trained individually and collectively so they know exactly what to do. Then, when all is running as it should, he can step out of working in the business and direct the activities. He will carefully follow the business statistics to see that all is running well, making small corrections as needed, or directing them as a group. When he has accomplished this the business will run without him, everyone knows their job and they do it well. He will then be able to use his time to improve the entire business.

A good leader makes an overall plan for the business, including what each team member accomplishes. The business owner needs to know exactly what he wants each person to do so each employee is empowered. Each is talented through their own personal training. Each also knows the "big picture" in how the office is supposed to run in order to function well. They need a leader to show and tell them how to work together to make the business work the way he wants it to work. With a clear vision, a good leader brings employees together, working in harmony to synergistically do what neither the owner, nor the employees could do alone. 

Staff training

Just like the conductor in an orchestra, it's all about the leader in business as well. He is responsible for the business. He must train everyone to do exactly what he wants. The employees do as he says, and are empowered to act only within their position. If they have an idea on how the business might work better, they go to their leader to see if it fits in with the big picture. The leader decides what will be done, and how. When a person does something especially well, they get praised, and when they are out of sync, they are told to get back in line. The leader must do performance reviews, the more the better. Training must happen continuously, both as individuals and as a group. 

As the leader evaluates each employee, the "cream will rise to the top." Those who are doing what he wants get better. He doesn't compromise his standards. He doesn't allow "the inmates to run the asylum," but rather gives clear direction at all times. The standards are set, and are not moved. Those who are unable to perform to the standards of the leader, and who are not able to be trained, must be let go, and then another will be hired to fill the position. 

Finding talent
 Over time it becomes clear that a leader is looking for a specific talent to fill a position. There are many who could do the job, but a good business leader is looking for one who can perform excellently, follow directions, and work together with others to form the group into a team, like an orchestra, where each is playing his own part to make the whole business run well. The hiring process requires knowing exactly what jobs need to be done so the right people can be found to fill them. Each candidate is told what is expected and can be hired if they have expressed the desire and shown the ability to do that job. Then they must be trained to act in harmony with the group. Sometimes a person who seems right isn't able to work with the team, or fill the position properly. As soon as it becomes obvious that an individual isn't able to perform, they must be changed, and another must be found that is a good fit. One wrong note can destroy the entire performance! As staff grows, a leader may continually be looking for talent. 

A good orchestra becomes great when the conductor is able to bring good musicians together to act as one. Likewise, in business, when there is good leadership with a clear plan of vision and direction, a well-trained staff who knows their own place, and who fit in well, the business doesn't just survive, it thrives! All team members are happy, and work synergistically, multiplying their talents. They grow and "bear fruit, and bring forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23) Moreover, by the time of the performance the orchestra could play the piece without the conductor. Likewise, because the staff all know exactly what to do, a well-run business frees the leader from continuously “putting out fires” and allows him to “work on the business, and not in the business.”