Happiness is Yours for the Taking

Happiness. The pursuit of so many. In fact, we are known in America as those who live for "life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'

But so many seem without happiness. Why is this? Is happiness truly elusiveor do we simply not know how to take hold of it? It is my contention thatHappiness is yours for the taking. That is, anyone can be happy if thechoose to be... and if they know how to get it.

So what does it take to bring us to a state of Happiness? Here are a fewthoughts to get you on your way:

Do not try to control circumstances.

One of the biggest "happiness busters"I see is in the frustration people experience (and wallow in) becausecircumstances have gone awry. This is because their mind-set, whether theyknow it or not, is that they should be somehow able to controlcircumstances. But let's get this straight: You can't! So the first thingyou can do to give yourself Happiness is to stop trying to control, ortaking responsibility for circumstances that are outside of your control!Understand that you can only control yourself.

There is only one thing youcan control in this world and that is yourself. You can't control theweather, other drivers, your kids or spouse, or anything for that matteroutside of your own beliefs, thoughts, attitudes and actions. Focus all ofyour attention on developing yourself and doing what is right - controllingyourself while letting what will happen, happen - and you will findHappiness opening up within you.

Decide what it is that you want out of life and then stick to itrelentlessly.

This is two parts: First, know what you want. Get real clearwith yourself. Take a private retreat to be alone if you have to, but cometo grips with what you want your life to look like.

Secondly, devoteyourself to that passion and do not be sidetracked. It is interesting to mehow many options we have - good options - that if we pursue them they willactually crush our Happiness because they will take us away from what willreally make us happy.

Live for a legacy. We cannot be self-absorbed and live only for ourselves.Yes, we only control ourselves, but we can live for the betterment ofothers. Live your life in such a way that others are touched and you willfind yourself feeling happiness in ways that you could never imagine. Forexample, I get some of the most touching emails from people I have never met(and probably never will) who tell me how I have helped them. There islittle else that brings me such Happiness!

Settle your finances. Whatever your financial goals are, get them! Havingpoor finances is one of the major causes of unHappiness. Now, some peopleare completely content on $30,000 a year. Others need $200,000 a year. Thatis okay. We all have different desires, needs, and goals. But the key is toknow what you want your financial life to look like and then do what ittakes to get there. Among the major things to do is to eliminate as muchdebt as possible, if not all!

Surround yourself with good friends. Good friend are such a blessing! I havesome of the most intelligent, capable, successful, and caring friends aperson could have. I have three or four people in my life that I completelytrust and admire. When f