The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts

Marcus Aurelius

Happiness is an inside job

The happiness of your life always starts on the inside.  If you think the new partner, the new house, or the new job is going to make you happy think again.  Don’t get me wrong, the conditions of those things might create an external environment which is conducive to your happiness.  However, external factors can never create happiness if the quality of your thoughts is not good.  The quality of your thoughts and perceptions is crucial.  How long you dwell on unpleasant or negative thoughts, and how much you judge yourself and others can affect your state of being.  Whether you worry or find solutions can also affect how happy you are or not.  

Happiness is a choice

Choosing the happiness of your life is possible for every single one of us.  You simply have to choose the thoughts you decide to entertain.  This is easier said than done of course if you’ve never paid much attention to your thoughts and think they are something you have no control over.   But you do.  The trick is not to try to stop thinking negative thoughts.  Instead, just fill your head with positive thoughts.   My son recently made a life-changing decision.  Despite all I’ve learned, I couldn’t help myself worry if he was making the right choice.  I pointed out all the things that could go wrong. 

Luckily my son has learned from me too, and he stuck his fingers in his ears and refused to listen.  Once I realised what I was doing, I began thinking of all the good things and benefits of his decision.  Immediately I felt much happier, and let go of my worries.  That doesn’t mean to say negative thoughts don’t arise, but I quickly dismiss them and don’t engage with them.  I also quickly replaced them with a positive view.  

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