Happiness - Focus

Our very survival depends on the ability to filter out the overwhelming amount of information that all our senses are receiving at any given moment.

Being conscious of thought and of feelings is not the normal state of most people, but it is a very possible and peaceful place to be.

Practice focusing your attention on peaceful and grateful thoughts, affirmations or just re-appreciating any and every good thing that's in your life right now. We can only process so much. We can only give our attention and energy to so much.

A mind full of worry has no room for hope. A mind full of doubt has no room for confidence. A mind full of gratitude sees no lack. A mind full of curiosity, love, humor, and goodness will always manage to deal with adversity as it comes but returns to the habit-formed state of peace.

Like any habit, it takes at first a lot of conscious energy and effort, but soon becomes the natural state of being. It's a wonderful goal to achieve.

-Doe Zantamata

Happiness - The Courage to Change

Changing our own lives takes work. It takes courage, patience, persistence, and the strength to continue to be positive about those changes no matter how slow they may appear to be going. But it’s worth it.

The energy of change builds up and can be used to do this.

Unfortunately, that courage thing can easily prevent people from going forward. What doesn’t take courage is to look at someone else’s life and pick out all their perceived flaws and criticize them at random. Maybe this is why people do that so often instead of working on their own lives.

You don’t have to be the same. Use your energy to better your own life and keep your attention on it. If you’re being criticized by someone or even by a few people, don’t waste too much energy trying to explain things to them or to defend your choices or fill them in on all they don’t know.

You need all your energy to continue working on you.

~Doe Zantamata

Happiness - Path of Least Resistance

To take the path of least resistance does not mean to offer no resistance to anything that comes across your path. It means to be aware of your options in life, think on their consequences both immediate and future, and act on those which feel best to your soul.

They may not be perfect for everyone, and others may try to steer your path in the direction that they prefer. It is up to you what you choose.

Consider those who you love in your choices, but if your choices conflict with their expectations of you, then you have to decide if
1. trying to be who they want you to be, or
2. being who you really are is ultimately more important to everyone's long term happiness.

You can only pretend for so long, but you can be yourself until your very last breath.

~Doe Zantamata