You are here: John Clark Online > Ezine > What Really Matters

What Really Matters

July 23, 2003

Why aren't I happier?

That question haunted Tony Schwartz in 1987. As the co-author of Donald Trump's immensely successful book, The Art of the Deal, he had just made it into the big time. In a few weeks, he had earned more money and acclaim than in the whole of his previous working life.

He had everything. A strong marriage, two precious daughters, and several close friends. A financial cushion. Publishers lining up to court him. The time to contribute usefully to his community, plus play tennis at least twice a week. 

And yet - something was missing.

"I sensed," he later wrote, "that I was living only a piece of the life I'd been given, a pale reflection of my potential. I was searching for a more complete life, an experience of my own essence, something I came to call wisdom."

So Schwartz set off to explore the paths to a more meaningful life. For four years, he roamed the country, seeking out leading-edge figures who embodied wisdom: philosophers and psychologists, doctors and scientists, peak performance coaches and spiritual teachers, artists and mystics.

By the end of his quest, Schwartz found himself drawn increasingly to broad, balanced approaches - paths that address mind, body, heart and spirit together. He became more distrustful than ever of "New Age popularizers, self-promoting hucksters and charismatic demagogues posing as enlightened teachers."

You can read why in his aptly-named book, What Really Matters (Bantam, 1996).

Look back on your last twelve months. How have you actually lived this life of yours, from day to day, from moment to moment? Has your life been founded on what, for you, really matters? Do you even know what, for you, really matters?

If your answer is "No," or at best "Kind of," take heart. There are paths that will help you enrich your life. They will enlarge your sense of who you are and what you can be. A great place to learn more about them is to read What Really Matters.

Read other ezine issues