Gary Greaves was a kindhearted man who worked as a janitor at his daughter's school because the job allowed him time for literary and political interests, and because he identified with working class people. Greaves, a Seattle resident who died at the age of 57 on February 12, is remembered for his kindness. His wife observed, "He was never mean. Everything he wore, everything he did was about humility, thrift and kindness. And music. And history."
In these ongoing musings about happiness and finding a calling through work, I am attracted to stories like those of Mr. Greaves. His life is proof of the hypothesis offered by Martin Seligman in "Authentic Happiness" that it's not what you do but how you do it that leads to happiness.
Mr. Greaves led a monthly book club inside the Monroe Reformatory. Inmates serving 20 years to life would discuss literature and their own writings. About this work Mr. Greaves observed, "It was such a privilege to witness, so up-close, the temerity they had, to never give up."
Do you think Seligman is right about the path to happiness? How does that show up in your life and work?
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