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One way to find happiness is to create goals. Unhappy people tend to be aimless. They are stuck in a cycle of despair that leads nowhere. If you set just one goal, it may become your lifeline out of despair and toward hope. Goal-oriented people have drive and purpose in life. They want to get up in the morning, because they have a plan to make their life better. They are looking forward to what the day will bring, not dreading it.
Your assignment today is to set a really exciting goal. It should be something that will take up your thoughts for awhile and require some imagination and creativity. It can be a totally frivolous goal, but choose something that will make you proud when you’ve achieved it.
Maybe you are short on cash, and your brother’s birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Set a goal to create a unique gift using your own skills and imagination. This few weeks of creativity will liberate your thoughts and will probably lead to ideas in other areas of your life. You might end up so proud of the result that you can’t wait for your brother to open his present.
Happiness does not happen randomly. It is the result of a series of actions. You have the power to make conditions right for happiness. You can choose happiness today by setting a goal that will command your thoughts, liberate your energy, and inspire your hopes.
25
So many of us have this idea reversed. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness actually has to come first. If you are engaged in what you are doing and you enjoy it, you will be successful.
Kate loved her job, but she always adopted a stern expression at work. She felt as though people took her more seriously if she was somber.
Finally, a wise co-worker asked, “Kate, do you like your job?”
“Why, yes,” she replied, a bit startled.
“Then, if you’re happy, let your face know it.”
Happiness is the key to success, and it is also contagious. If you love what you’re doing and you let yourself experience the joy of taking part in that action, you will be glowing with inspiration. Other people pick up on that. They will be drawn to you, because they want what you have.
Your assignment is to find something you love to do. Don’t just pick something you sort of enjoy. Find something you love to do. It doesn’t have to be the same thing you do for a living. The thing you love to do might be a volunteer activity or a hobby. Try out some new ideas if you don’t have a clue about what that thing is. Join a club or audit a class at your local community college. Experiment to find out what brings you joy and then take part in it. Success will be soon to follow.
26
Whenever you feel stuck in life, it can be very difficult to find a way out of the darkness. This quote gives you a flashlight to navigate through the shadows. If you stick with these simple directions, you will emerge into the light before you know it.
Face the worst. What is going on in your life that you are avoiding? You will have to face it sooner or later, so you might as well get it over with and stop worrying about the ramifications. Face your problems head on and deal with them.
Believe the best. It is a waste of time to worry about bad things that might happen. If you’re going to let your mind wander, why not imagine a positive outcome? Believe the best will come to you. You deserve the best. Believe it will happen. If it doesn’t, you’re no worse off. You can deal with a less-than-ideal situation if and when it occurs.
Do the most. Do whatever you can to ensure you will end up with the best possible results. Have you done
