Secrets of Spiritual Happiness

Secret #8 -- Happiness is a State of Mind

 

    

 

By Sharon Janis

 

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Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.   

- John Homer Miller

 

The mind is an amazing instrument.   When we truly learn to make use of our mind's potential, it's like having a big power tool that is much faster, easier, and more efficient than doing the same work just by hand.   We can struggle and struggle through life to barely get by and make it from one challenge to the next, one disappointment to the next, and one transitory victory to the next; or we can harness the tremendous power of our thoughts and intentions to inspire and empower all of our actions, and to create steady happiness in our lives.  

Our minds affect the world around us because thoughts have energy, and this entire universe is made up of energy.   Our minds affect the world through our thoughts, feelings, and actions, in obvious and subtle ways.   To state it simply:   Happy thoughts equal a happy world; sad thoughts equal a sad world.   Fearful thoughts equal a fearsome world; angry thoughts equal an angry world.   Benevolent thoughts equal a benevolent world; generous thoughts equal a generous world.  

What we think literally reflects in the world around us -- not just in some airy-fairy, new-agey way, but because of certain logical, scientific, and philosophical connections that may not be fully described or studied in today's public school classrooms, but which are nevertheless primary elements of this experience called human life.  

 

I am more and more convinced that our happiness or unhappiness depends more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves.

--Alexander Humboldt

 

Ultimately, our happiness depends not on what we have, but on how we think and feel about what we have.   Although this is an obvious fact of life, few people truly harness the power of their minds to practice intentional happiness.

Once you understand that your mind is the source of happiness, you have an opportunity to consciously take back the reins of your experience of life.   You can look at anything that happens, and think, "How can I grow from this?   How can I interpret this in a positive way?   How can I love, embrace, and make the best of this situation?"   You can enjoy the many benefits that come from intelligent, intentional optimism, including the bright and refreshing sun shower of spiritual happiness.   With the blessing of your mind, you'll approach life with willingness, inspiration, and joyful ease.   Happiness will follow you like a cute little puppy.

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