The Magic Button Dilemma

by James Robbins, M.A., LPC,

Suppose you had a magic button. If you push this button, you are guaranteed a blissful life from that point forward. You’ll get everything you want, and easily avoid the things you don’t. Would you push that button? Sure you would.

But what if there was a catch?

Suppose if you push this button, its benefits apply not just to you, but to every single person on the planet. Your worst enemies get everything they want and avoid their worst fears–without even “learning their lesson” or becoming a “better person.” Would you still push that button?

What’s more important to you: “winning” or being happy?

Buying a giant house, for example, often has little to do with needing or even really enjoying a giant house. It’s usually more about having a bigger house than your parents, your colleagues, your rivals, whomever. It’s amazing to see how much trouble people will go to maintaining a giant house, or how many late hours they’ll spend at work just to afford the giant house. They may be so busy affording it, in fact, they have very little time to even sleep in it, much less enjoy it.

Knowing the difference between what truly makes you happy, as opposed to things you imagine will impress others is an important distinction. What size house would you dial up for yourself if everyone in the world was automatically given the exact same house?

About the Author: James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.