By GREGORY SMITH
Business Columnist

It came to me as if it was a vision from the Lord. It is now crystal clear. . .I know what year 2000 will look like. Are you ready for the answer? It will look just like 1999. I know this upsets many of you, but it is the truth. A lot of us are going to be disappointed because we will wake up January 1st facing the same old problems and issues we face presently.

The past few years have been prosperous ones for the United States. People making millions, economic boom, great stock returns and good times so the headlines make you believe. However, what I'm seeing is different. To me it looks like many people are searching—looking for meaning for their lives.

Ironically, it seems those that are most desperate are those who seem the most well off. They are the ones with healthy bank accounts, nice homes, nice cars and good jobs. Many of them in order to satisfy their search wreck their lives. Instead of peace, they try to quench their thirst with drugs, alcohol, leave their families and quit their jobs only to become more miserable than ever before.

We cannot find peace through material possessions. I recently attended one of those success rallies here in Atlanta. One of the speakers was Evander Hollyfield, the world's heavyweight boxing champion. His talk was impressive, but what was most impressive to me is what he told his introducer behind the stage about happiness.

Happiness is elusive. The night he won the world's heavy weight championship was the pinnacle of his career. However, after the crowd went home he wasn't happy. Some time later, he won another fight and earned $21 million dollars. That didn't make him happy either. It wasn't until he started a charity and starting giving himself and his money away did he become happy with his life. Money and wealth don't satisfy.

1999 has been the toughest year of my life. My mother passed away. My daughter was caught in the crossfire at Heritage High School. My oldest daughter left home for college. My father-in-law spent months in the hospital and lost his leg. Even through this, I still had hope and I knew “this too will pass.” As the Bible says, I have the “peace that surpasses all understanding.”

How do you find peace and meaning in your life? When I was a small boy, I worried day and night about the meaning of life. It seemed the harder I looked the more elusive it became. I later learned the meaning of life is not as important as to what you do to give life meaning. How do you find peace and purpose?

First you realize there is a plan for your life-that you do have a purpose. My father died when I was a young boy and I pretty much grew up facing life without a father's influence. Fortunately, I had a scoutmaster who took me under his wing. And when I reached those rebellious years as a teenager, he kept me going, gave me direction and was the one responsible for helping me reach Eagle Scout. Prior to his death, I told him how much

I appreciated what he did. He helped give my life meaning and purpose.

Secondly, we are not alone here on Earth. Regardless of your religious beliefs, there is an ultimate source of power and hope. You must accept that on faith. I believe in life after death so I know that no matter what happens to me there is going to be a better place in the hereafter.

The year 2000 will bring great opportunities as well as great challenges. Maybe we should dedicate the remainder of 1999 and ask ourselves if our life is heading in the right direction. We then can begin year 2000 in alignment with truth, true meaning, purpose and happiness once more.

Free by e-mail/fax: If you would like a free article on how to keep your business and life on-course please fax us your name on your letterhead or E-mail us with the words, “Keeping On-Course” to 770-760-0581/greg@ChartCourse.com.

Gregory P. Smith shows businesses how to build productive and profitable work environments that attract, keep and motivate their workforce. He speaks at conferences and is the President of a management consulting firm called Chart Your Course International located in Conyers, Georgia. Phone him at (770)860-9464 or send an email at greg@chartcourse.com. More information and articles are available at www.ChartCourse.com.

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