I HAD ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT the true American dream was to sing and dance on the big stage one day (maybe perform my dance on the treadmill, put the cheese out in front of me at work and watch me go!)—that we all envisioned ourselves on TV, strolling down the red carpet, our lives made into the next reality TV show. The “top” was to be a celebrity. But what I realized was that I didn’t need to be a celebrity to live a good life. What I saw was something different.
Philosophical Engineering
Instead of noticing who got picked for all these great TV late night specials and being, at least on camera, much happier with a makeup smile, I realized I could “pick” out what I valued in my life and have it be significant.
But first I had to realize that the word value really has two meanings. Value related to money being the second meaning while the first meaning of value being the set of standards I want to live by.
(Book excerpt and modified. The Impression of a Good Life: Philosophical Engineering chapter Rooted in Value)