Page 8 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, January 2021

8 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 9
January 2021
January 2021
Community Faith

Festival of Lights brightens the holiday cheer on post

e Villages at Fort Irwin hosted its annual Runners Up: Finding Happiness Chaplain’s
Corner
Festival of Lights competitions and the winners • 3905 Commanders Loop
have been crowned. • 4710A Nancy ness. It isn’t that we’re not trying — we will to God that we are unhappy!
Several homes and families participated and a • 4656 Omaha Beach grasp at anything that promises happiness, ere are many ways to nd
map was provided for residents to travel to each • 8204B Apennines whether it’s losing weight or getting another happiness when we realize that we possess Your answer is your goal and happiness is
home to view the displays. • 4767A Saint Vith college degree or buying a new car. In the the liberty to choose them. One of these realized in its accomplishment. My goal for
Here are the eight winners who receive prizes, Honorable Mentions: end, however, we usually feel unsatis ed. paths is to rethink our goals. Ask someone today could be to call a good friend, eat at
as well as runners up who won a $25 gift card. • 5136A Silurian Hills Aren’t we supposed to be happy — especially to list their goals and we know what’s coming my favorite restaurant, go for a long walk,
Top 3: • 8202A Apennines around the holidays? next: retire well, nish school, save money, nish reading a book, or watch my favorite
movie. Happiness is usually brief, measured
• 9114 Blackhawk • 5025B Lane Mountain God created us for happiness! Our bodies lose some pounds, etc. Goals such as these in hours, minutes, and even sometimes in
• 5107A&B Sweetwater • 4626 Tunisia purposefully, by design, release endorphins are both long-term and vague. When will a moment — so why not scatter multiple
• 4605A Kabul • 4416 Rhineland when we’re happy! Happy people live longer we realize that we have retired well? Maybe
and happy people have a higher sense of self- we will sit up from our rocking chair when happy moments throughout your day?
worth. With so much unhappiness around we’re 80 and suddenly announce, “I just re- Long-term goals are good and necessary,
us, how do we nurture a greater sense of tired well!” When will we think we’ve saved but let’s not ignore the need for bits of joy
happiness? enough money or lost enough weight? Do along the way!
First, it’s ne to admit we’re unhappy. we really believe another college degree will Jesus once said, “Do not be anxious about
by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Donald W. Ehrke Many times, we settle for unhappiness rather unlock happiness? tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious
than admitting to other people that we’re not Research indicates that vague, long-term for itself. Su cient for the day is its own
Fort Irwin Deputy Command Chaplain happy. It feels like we’re admitting failure. goals leave us uncertain (was the goal really trouble.” In our culture we’ve simpli ed this
“I don’t know what’s wrong, I just know If we can move beyond the discomfort of met?) and less happy than we envisioned. wisdom to read, “Take one day at a time.” In
that I’m not happy!” How often have we acknowledging unhappiness, we will discover Happiness is found in meeting short-term, between the hard work and e ort of today,
heard — or spoken — these words? It is the freedom to make di erent choices; it is achievable goals and enjoying the moment! take some time to nd some happiness, as
very odd that, given the a uence of our within the changes that freedom o ers, that Try asking yourself this: “What is the one well — set a little goal, achieve it, and enjoy
nation, we struggle so often to nd happi- happiness may be found. We can even pray thing I would like to do for myself today?” the moment!

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin