Happiness is Yours...

Do you think you must solve all your problems before you can allow yourself to be happy? Do you think you must deny, ignore, or run away from your problems in order to know happiness? Do you think that in order to be happy, you first acquire everything your heart desires?  I hope not.  If these are your thoughts then you will never be happy.

Happiness has no prerequisite other than life itself. True happiness comes from the way you choose to live and respond to the world, not from the way the world responds back. Happiness is yours, and is not dependent on, or impeded by, factors outside your control.

When you realize that that happiness doesn’t require an object, you can face any difficulty and still be happy and full of joy.  It’s an attitude, not a judgment or assessment. You can be happy without being happy about anything in particular. Rather than having nothing to be happy about, be happy about nothing.

Choose to go ahead and be happy today. Choose to put a smile on your face. You’ll feel great. You’ll be remarkably more effective. Choose to be happy about nothing in particular and soon you’ll have plenty to be happy about.

Opinions have no Power....

How many things have you done or not done today because you were worried about what other people would think?

Other people’s opinions of you cause a great amount of unnecessary negative thinking. These same opinions cause a lot of unnecessary and silly activity. In your attempt to make a good impression on people, you'll find yourself being extra polite, honest and respectful. In spite of everything you do, they will probably still have the same opinion of you.  

What harm can someone’s opinion do to you? What power does it have over you? Only the power that you give to it. Refuse to be imprisoned by the opinions of others any longer.  Decide today to live with the freedom of your own thoughts. Choose to be confident of your own value and worth.  Know that you’re doing the right thing for yourself. When you truly believe in yourself and in what you’re doing, it won’t matter what other people think. 

We are all different.  We are all unique. We all think differently. Everyday choose to do what you will, with the best of intentions and a steadfastness of purpose.  Let others think what they may.  You have no control of how others think.  Strive to control your own thinking and elevate yourself to a higher level.  

Your Attitude...

Your attitude is the easiest thing to change because you can do it all by yourself. It also is the most difficult thing to change because ultimately you must do it for yourself.  You are not your attitude. You are the person who creates, controls and maintains it.  

Many limitations take significant time and energy to overcome. However, a limiting attitude can be changed in an instant into an empowering one.  Often, affecting that change can at times seem to be an insurmountable challenge. This happens when you identify too closely with your attitude, thinking that it is you and you are it.

Remember, you are not your attitude. You are the person who creates, controls and maintains that attitude; it is yours to use and direct as you see fit.

No matter what other things may be going on, you can always choose to live with a positive, forward-looking, empowering attitude. It is not painful, nor does it require any special skills or resources.  All this choice takes is a willingness to exercise the control over your attitude that you already possess. Always choose an attitude that will make life even greater for yourself.

Frustration is a Habit...

The habit of reacting in frustration is just that, a habit. Like any other habit you’ve developed, you can get rid of it when you choose. Frustration is a painful, debilitating feeling that can often cause you to do things you’ll regret. So strive to quickly let it go.

Frustration can be overwhelming.  Frustration is sudden.  Most importantly, frustration is a choice.  The good thing about choices, you can always make a different choice.

Remember, the habit of reacting in frustration is a habit. Any habit you have is a choice, your choice.  

Life will always present you with difficult dilemmas for which frustration is a perfectly understandable reaction. But what does that accomplish?  Other than grabbing your attention, absolutely nothing.

When you become aware of a frustrating situation, make the choice to find a more useful, effective response. Chose to step back from the desire for instant drama, and work on creating some long-term positive results.

Choose to channel any high-powered energy of frustration you have into intentional, focused, positive action. When you choose to give yourself the option to act effectively and appropriately, you’ll find you have no need for frustration.

Your Thoughts...

If you use every opportunity you have to put regret, envy, anger, greed, and despair into your mind, what will be the result? You will find the reality of your world is overflowing with all those negative influences.  

If you plant the seed of a thought in your mind, it quickly takes root. If you take the time to nurture that seed as the days and months go along, it will grow into something substantial.

Whatever you put into your mind is a choice, your choice. Moment by moment, whatever you consistently put into your mind will soon become a part of your life.

I challenge you to strive to use every chance you get, to put positive, empowering thoughts into your mind. After a while, every aspect of your life will be lifted higher as a result.

Remember, you can choose which seeds of thought you put into your mind. Make it a conscious effort to choose thoughts of love, possibility, generosity, abundance, compassion, strength and gratitude.

No matter what is going on in the world around you, you can plant and nurture precisely the thoughts you choose. Choose wisely, and it will have an enormous impact on the direction of your life. 

Power of Kindness...

Rudeness is impossible to maintain when it is met with courtesy. Carelessness and negativity will wither in the bright light of kindness and true forgiveness. 

It’s easy to be kind and courteous to those who are kind and courteous to you. It gives you power.  Yet to experience the full power of your sincere courtesy and kindness, strive to offer them to people who are careless and rude to you. 

I know it is difficult to bring yourself to forgive those who hurt you. But forgiveness gives you the upper hand. The way to stop the hurt is by refusing to participate in it. In order to effectively help yourself, offer genuine kindness to others. Now by no means should you tolerate continued abuse. Yet there is no good reason to perpetuate any abuse. 

Choose to be the one who is strong, the one who stops the negativity. Choose to put the power of kindness, courtesy and forgiveness to work for you and your world.

Be Enthusiastic...

There are certain things you can get enthusiastic about. What are they? Are you taking full advantage of the power of your own enthusiasm, or are you keeping that enthusiasm hidden away where it does no one any good?  Whatever you’re truly enthusiastic about will become stronger and more valuable in your life.

Enthusiasm is contagious. It inspires and motivates. It is filled with energy and always coming up with new ideas. It looks for ways to be more effective.

Take a close look at successful people and you’ll find people who are enthusiastic about what they’re doing. There are things in your life about which you can be just as enthusiastic. I challenge you to find them, uncover them, get them out in the open and enjoy the success that genuine enthusiasm will bring.