Give Me My Dopamine Fix
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)
Read most books and articles on self-fulfillment, and you will be encouraged to live in the moment. It feels good to focus on the immediate because when we experience fun, excitement, and even affirmation, our brains receive a hit of dopamine. According to WebMD, “Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.” A natural shot of dopamine to our nervous system feels good and helps us. But be careful; soon, many people will decide based on the short-term benefit of the dopamine fix. Yet, immediate gratification isn’t always the best decision.
Happiness isn’t always about how you feel at any specific time. Happiness also comes from making longer-term decisions; many long-term decisions are more advantageous in the long run. In “The Unintuitive Secret to Happiness: ‘Always Play the Long Game,’” Julian Frazier, Ph.D., warns, “When you get something you want, you slowly adapt to having it through the process known as habituation.” Soon, short-term pleasure needs to increase to get dopamine pleasure. Satisfaction becomes more difficult to achieve over time.
Instead, Dr. Frazier encourages longer-term focus “Because we feel the most happiness when we are making progress.” With clear and meaningful long-term plans, the shorter blessings along the path to long-term fulfillment bring greater joy. Frazier describes the pleasure: "As you get closer to your ultimate goal, you will also become a more actualized version of yourself.” Rather than focusing on little shots of dopamine, lasting joy is found in becoming the long-term version of yourself.
Today, reflect on your long-term goals. By celebrating the positive steps, the dopamine flows through your nervous system. Additionally, the joy is much greater when focused beyond the moment because your life is on a trajectory of meaning and wholeness. Invite God into the short and long-term activities in your life. In the moment, I’ve felt more dopamine rushes at church than I can count. The worship music gives me a shot to the nervous system every week. When you invite God into your long-term planning, eternal fulfillment will be yours. You will experience the best short-term happiness with a long-term focus.