All That You Seek Is Within

I know many people who are unhappy with their situation: their jobs, their family, their relationship, their debt, their health, etc. Remember the last time you were unhappy with something? What was the first thing you did? Well, if you are like most people you probably told others about your difficulties. Seeking condolence, however, will not solve your problems. The truth is that the answer to all your problems lies within yourself. If you are having difficulties with others and their decisions, talk to them about it. In the end it is their decision, and you have to respect that. You can not control them and their lives. They have to be the solution for themselves just like you must be the solution for you. You can be there for them, just don't allow their problems to drag you down. You are in control of the way you feel... always. If you feel down it is an internal reaction to something external. In other words, you allow people and events to hurt you. In contrast, you are the source of your own happiness. You always have a choice of whether to feel happy about something, apathetic toward something, or upset about something. No one else has that power. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for, no matter how small, and you will notice how your mood changes and how many great things you have in your life. Although you do not have all that you want in your life, realizing and appreciating what you have now will open the doors to a better life. When you appreciate what you have, you get more of what is good in your life. For instance, if you are grateful for your child, parent, or partner... you will begin to smile more around them or act happy around them... as a result, he or she will respond with those positive actions that make you happy. When you are truly grateful for your life, you will radiate that joy and others will pick up on that and wonder what makes you so happy. The answer is always you. When you complain about what is bad, you are bringing more of that into your head and thus into your existence. You will never be happy if you seek your happiness from others and from outside circumstances. You will always have that void until you realize that you can not use crutches to get through life. Nor can you solve everyone's problems. You can not control everyone's lives. Let them have control of their own bliss while you find yours. Once you believe in yourself, begin solving your own problems, and allow others to live their own lives... you will finally be free from expectation, unnecessary worry, and you'll be free to live your own life in the way you want to experience it.