Focus: Learn To Be Happy
Welcome to the 22nd Edition of MotivateUs.com's Newsletter
My Dear Friend,
Thank you for being part of the heart of MotivateUs.com and I so appreciate you for sharing our web address with so many other people. In today's world it's important to help others find good resourcesand we think we are one of the best when it comes to collecting and sharing the hope and optimism of the world one quotation, one poem, one article and story at a time.
Reading through your comments, I get a sense that you are learning and living more joyfully. Congratulations, you are the doing the work and the results are coming into reality.
Today we are going to focus on happiness. For some, it seems elusive. For others, a way of life. For many, it is something to strive for. For each of us, it is available at any time.
Let's explore below some ideas and tips to help us be more happy in our lives.
Here's to you and ability to be happy whenever you choose to be.
Love, appreciation and thanks,
Marlene
Something I'd Like To Share:
Are The Pain And Suffering Inevitable?
Part OneRecognizing Unwanted States And Feelings
What do we do when pain and negative feelings come? How can we help ourselves, and set us free from the negative states and accompanying feelings?
The first thing that we must acknowledge is that pain and unpleasant feelings are inevitable in our lives. We can't preserve ourselves from their influence because every healthy individual is subjected to their rule, once in a while.
Why? We are simply part of the Universe's circles and if we perceive ourselves as something extracted from the Universe, then we'll easily measure our own pain as bigger and more unpleasant that the another one's. However, the Universe is a Unique Entity of which we are all a part of.
To understand pain and suffering, we need to adjust our focus from an individual standpoint to "higher perspective". From that point of view, no matter who experiences greater pain, the Universe grows! And that is the ultimate purpose of the pain in our lives. We grow through our pain, so does the Universe; through us, thus through itself.
When we recognize the negative states and accompanying feelings being around, the natural reaction is, "I'm being miserable, I don't like myself being like that and I'll do something to change that!"
That's fine. We've recognized the unwanted state and made resolution to change it. However, very often we make a simple, but crucial mistake that leads to a failure of our attempt. What's that? We begin to resist the negative feelings, trying to avoid them or replace them by desired ones. Nevertheless, it doesn't work like that.
There is and old saying: "Whatever you try to resist, it persists." Yes, there are methods and techniques, which provide replacement of negative states and feelings with the opposite ones, but by practicing them we take our chances to convert the CAUSE of the unwanted states into trauma.
We can't possibly replace the events that might cause unwanted states and feelings. It's like desiring that Autumn be replaced by Springtime because the former makes us feel blue, and the last one brings some vigor.
When the wind comes, the tree in the field doesn't resist, but follow the wind's pace and moves its trunk accordingly. What would happen if it tried to resist? It would be easily uprooted.
Remember, the Universe has its circles, just like any other entity and we don't have access to the Universe's main switchboard.
So, is there anything we can do about it?
Of course there is!
Speaking in computer language, maybe you can't ultimately control your BIOS, but you can surely command your operational system.
- Don't resist your negative feelings. Let them be! If you resist and fight them, they'll stay around and come back stronger, again and again. If you let them be as they are, just observing them, and see yourself and "them" as a part of a big circle that MOVES and CHANGES, you'll know that they'll pass through.
- Don't give them a reason to stay. If they are around, there is a reason for that. There is a valuable lesson to be learnt out of their existence. Just observe them. Don't even seek an answer. It will come suddenly, when they discharge and go away. If you fight them back, you'll miss the golden opportunity that every adversity brings along. Stay detached, and observe as if it's happening to somebody else. Yes, it is possible. Don't believe me; try it. The Mantra is: Don't resist, observe.
Switching To Positive Counterpoint
- Next, pay good attention to what happens when the pain and accompanying feelings are gone. This is very important! It's the crucial point of getting in tune with Universe's circles that ARE favorable.
When they are gone, for some valuable moment, there is a void. Speaking in time-space language, for a limited period there is an empty spot in our being that is to be filled with desired content. Pay good attention. If you miss it, it would be probably filled with another unwanted content.
The vacuum is very unstable state. There are happenings going on around all the time, so our energy would be easily, unconsciously attracted and sucked up by something out of our control. - Be alert. Use the void and fill it with something you have burning desire about. Let your imagination run free. Be creative in visualization your goal. See yourself being there, feel what would you feel when you get there, hear the voices and sounds that would be around, smell your success etc.
- Then switch your imaginary viewpoint, and experience the above as you were somebody else seeing you achieving that goal. Than again return in your own physical/emotional/mental body and notice the difference of two states. It will create an energy flow momentum.
- Another need of careful attention - don't be disappointed of not being there NOW. In order to achieve something, you need to:
- Be (in) the Void (that's the only "place" where the process of Creation could start. Remember: "In the beginning, there was nothing... "),
- Act (create) using it (the Void) as a starting point,
- Achieve in the Space/Time. It means a time is needed for manifestation. However, once there is a single thought of something, it's a matter of time when the material appearance will take place. Being much more inert than the mental one, the physical energy needs more time to flow.
- Be (in) the Void (that's the only "place" where the process of Creation could start. Remember: "In the beginning, there was nothing... "),
- Next and last. Forget about it! Yes, don't try to feed your "creation" by adding more and more attention to the final goal. Instead, recognize the variety of opportunities that would come and fit in your path.
Don't discard or neglect any of them. Investigate them, use them, test them and keep a record of them. Each one that's coming around has a purpose.
By the way, following the context... Thomas Edison had allegedly tried 10,000 materials as filaments for his invention, the electric light bulb. Failure? Only if you see the things extracted from the Whole and within a limited time frame. I suggest that this is not the wisest way to see things.
So, instead of the goal, focus on the Journey. When you succeed, you'll notice a strange phenomena - the Journey has provided more satisfaction and excitement than the achievement itself.
Then, there is another golden opportunity that you will not want to miss - that's the exact moment to set yourself another goal, a higher, more precious one. By practicing this strategy over and over again, you'll eventually see yourself setting goals specific for higher self and purpose than your physical/emotional/mental self. Embrace the insight to the purpose of your existence there. You'll know the Journey has been worth walking it.
"Success is like happiness, cannot be pursued. It must ensue. And it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself."
--- Victor Frankl
The pain is inevitable, but the suffering is optional.
Copyright © 2003 Mitko Keramitchiev --- Macedonia
An Article / Story To Ponder:
Learn To Be Happy
How does our history become sad or happy? How and why do our experiences affect the way we think and feel? Are human beings born to be miserable? NO! We are born to be human and to evolve through experiences. We are born to win!
There is no doubt that we all have a big variety of situations or experiences during our existence that we allow to affect the way we think and therefore the way we feel. There are people, objects and intangibles things that we meet and they become part of our experiences and therefore our history.
We all make choices, every day, every moment. The reason we are happy or unhappy is not our experiences but the way we deal with our experiences; what we think about them, therefore the attitude we take. Everything we do either makes us successful or unsuccessful, moves us forward or backward, every day,every moment.
Being miserable or happy is personal; it is a matter of choice and this choice has to do with the attitude each of us has.
Attitude is everything! Things are the way they are, they cannot be otherwise. The problem starts when we label our experiences with our own beliefs. Our attitude is the outcome of how we feel and how we will respond. Sadly and ironically, many of us build such an attitude that instead of solving the problems we already have, we create even more problems. Ironically again, this is the history of the so-called more intelligent being on the planet.
So, what we can do to be happy? How can move forward instead of backward?
First we have to consider cause and effect...
Our mind stores our experiences as thoughts, thoughts create feelings or emotions, and what we feel is the way we act. Our attitude is a reaction to our thoughts, feelings and actions; it is positive or negative based not on what we think, but how we think, and how we think is related to our level of awareness.
So, the roots of our misery, problems, disillusions, worries and sadness are in our thoughts; how we think about things. When we have negative thoughts, we are creating misery in our lives and if it's something that we don't want for our life, it is time to take control and put our brain to work to form a new attitude by creating new positive thoughts.
You will only be happy, move forward, be the champion you are meant to be when you are honest and take action. Start to motivate your mind with positive thoughts. Start with thoughts of love, optimism, and creativity. Start by appreciating and valuing every second of life, everything you are and have, and become passionate about everything you do.
Stop labeling! Things are the way they are but if you decide to label them, then label your experiences, with your fellow human beings and with your environment, in a positive and optimistic way. Regardless of what happens, paint your life, daily, with a smile in everything you experience. The more you do this, the happier you will become.
Move with the flow. Things are the way they are, they cannot be otherwise. If you row in the direction the river is flowing, its energy assists you. But, if you row against the river's flow, it is only a matter of time before you become exhausted, overwhelmed and defeated.
It is super important to be clear; to understand that happiness is not dependent on the outside world. Nobody can make you happy or unhappy. Be responsible for your life. You and only you have the power to control the way you feel.
When your desire to be happy becomes as strong as the need to breathe, you will be happy. If you want to be happy, make happiness part of your daily thoughts, emotions and actions.
So, be happy, it is not only your choice but also your right! Be happy, regardless; you definitively deserve it. Remember, sixty seconds of sadness is one minute less of happiness!
Copyright © 2010 Eduardo Dominguez
Something To Encourage You:
5 Factors Of Taking Control Of Your Life
- Understand that no experience comes labeled. You are the labeler.
The power to choose is yours! As William Shakespeare said, "Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes itso". You and only you are the labeler of your experiences. Do you complain that roses have thorns or do yourejoice that thorns have roses? You have the ability to choose your reactions. All too often, these decisionsto label are not done consciously and your internal dialog will slap on a negative label. You must be awareof this and change it immediately. Realizing your ability to label is an awesome power and a great steptowards success. Upon taking control, you can select empowering labels in place of the negative ones. Youare in control of the experience. - Avoid blaming yourself for making mistakes.
The road to success is always under construction. Every morning we awake to a day we have never seen orexperienced. Mistakes will be made and obstacles will appear. You have no control over these events but youdo control your reaction to them. It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learnfrom our errors and move on. It is when we hurt that we learn. The power to choose how much we learn is ours.Do you see a stumbling block or a stepping-stone? You decide. - Understand that like energies attract.
Like attracts like. Positive thoughts produce positive results. If you surround yourself in positive emotions,energies, thoughts, and people then positive events will be the end result. Unfortunately, the same is true ifyou surround yourself in negative energies. Do you know someone that is always negative andmelancholy? Notice that bad luck seems to continuously follow them. They may say that a rain cloud is rightabove his or her head. Well, they're right. And as soon as they realize that it is they who create that raincloud they can chose to make it disappear. What you plant, so shall you harvest. If you plant rose seeds youget roses right? Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you inabundance. This is the law of nature. - Determine what you want and act on it.
Imagine an archer that did not have a target to shoot his arrow at. He would fire his arrows aimlessly and wouldnot be successful. Have a goal, write it down, and act upon that goal. Now that there is a clear target you canhave a plan of action. A visible target it easier to hit. Nobody ever sat his or her way to success. It takes hardwork, motivation, a positive attitude and a strong belief that you can do it. That combination produces what wecall luck. Do not sit back and wait for life to happen to you. Have a plan and take the needed steps to createwhat you want. - Choose to feel happy.
It has been said "Act as if and you will become." Try it. It really works. Put your chin up, smile, and thinkpositive thoughts. Remember the happy times and notice all you have to be grateful for and you will feellighter, happier and more empowered. If you frown, groan, grumble, and focus on everything wrong in theworld you will feel down, lethargic and negative. Why bother with that?
Identify the things and people thatmake you feel unhappy and eliminate them from your life. Nothing good can come from them. Choose to behappy and positive.
Take steps to insure a more joyful and positive life. Do happy things; see positivemovies, read good books, be around positive people, and practice affirmations. Identify the things andpeople that bring you happy feelings and surround yourself with them. Cultivate your relationship withyourself and you will be successful.
Taking control of your life takes time and requires decisions. Therewards make the efforts worth it.
Three Quotes To Motivate You:
"Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it."--- Anne De Lenclos
"To live we must conquer incessantly; we must have the courage to be happy."
--- Henri Frederic Amiel
"Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement."
--- Foster C. McClellan
Until Next Time, Remember:
Seventeen Rules For A Better Way To Live!
- Rule One... for a Better Way to Live:
Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence. - Rule Two... for a Better Way to Live:
Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them! - Rule Three... for a Better Way to Live:
Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come. - Rule Four... for a Better Way to Live:
Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family. Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success. - Rule Five... for a Better Way to Live:
Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeat again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile! - Rule Six... for a Better Way to Live:
Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance. - Rule Seven... for a Better Way to Live:
Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound of whining will certainly frighten away any opportunity for success. Never again. There is a better way. - Rule Eight... for a Better Way to Live:
Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow! - Rule Nine... for a Better Way to Live:
Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find "tomorrow" on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, "If I had my life to live over again..."Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! - Rule Ten... for a Better Way to Live:
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. - Rule Eleven... for a Better Way to Live:
Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously. - Rule Twelve... for a Better Way to Live:
Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things. - Rule Thirteen... for a Better Way to Live:
Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail. - Rule Fourteen... for a Better Way to Live:
You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day --- not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal --- to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished. - Rule Fifteen... for a Better Way to Live:
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces. - Rule Sixteen... for a Better Way to Live:
Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valley you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper. - Rule Seventeen... for a Better Way to Live:
Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Need a little extra motivation or inspiration to start each day?Sign Up For Our Daily Quote
All comments are welcome - did we meet your expectations?
P.S. What topics would you like to see here? What is important to you?
Contact Us: https://motivateus.com/contact-us/
Marlene Blaszczyk,
Creator, Editor & Publisher
MotivateUs.com