Your Thoughts and Happiness

Have you ever said to yourself, “I can’t be happy because _____________.? That’s a most unfortunate communication to your brain. A sense of happiness does not depend on circumstances alone. Happiness depends largely on how you prepare yourself for everyday living and the way in which you react to circumstances. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2010) reported that some adversity can actually make you stronger. Individuals who have experienced some adversity have the advantage of being toughened up to take on challenges later in life. They tend to be happier than those who have not experienced some adversity. Those experiences of adversity can function as doorways to positive change, as long as you view them as learning experiences and building blocks to achievement, and avoid getting caught in the mire of “I can’t be happy because _____________.” Balderdash! Of course you can! Feelings always follow thoughts. Think empowering thoughts and choose to be happy.