Secret To Happiness

The secret to finding lasting happiness in life is simple. All it requires is a willingness to focus your attention on what is right in your world. If there's a hole in the roof, do you have a bucket to catch the rain? Try to find the silver lining in each situation and you will be happier in the long run.

Imagine if we lived in a country where the majority of us were happy. There was a time not to long ago when this was so, we trusted our neighbors, helped out strangers in need, and hoped our children would have a brighter tomorrow. We can make these same hopes and dreams come alive again. To do so we need to begin to belief that we are all doing our best, and contributing to the common good.

Are you striving to be the best you can be? The chances are great that you are. If you are, isn't it likely that others are setting similar goals. We all want to feel good about ourselves, and provide for our loved one's. So here a happiness challenge acknowledge your wish for happiness and as you do so affirm the right of others to be happy as well. See yourself in a country full of happy people all with similar goals but each person unique in his or own way. With that image in your minds eye go out and meet others who are striving to make the world a better place.

Are you up for this challenge? Your happiness may depend on it. We need to trust each other a little more and fear each other a little less. See if you can replace your fearful or judgmental thoughts towards others with thoughts of hope for their well-being or acceptance for your status in life. Intolerance prevents us from becoming the people we want to be. If you want to feel good about yourself you need to perceive others as good as well.

Happiness is simple, its about focus, vision, trust and good will. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said happiness was dependent on our ability to love others. Belief in yourself and others, and you'll begin to discover we are living in a happy world.

Vince Chiles, LCSW is the author of a self-published book Happiness in Five Minutes a Day which is scheduled to be released to the public 3/26/08. Information about Vince and his book can be obtained by going to [http://www.happinessinfive.com]