Trusted Advisor Blog

If each of us has within us the same ability to react positively to events in our life, and if Aristotle was correct that “happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life,” why then does happiness elude so many and a positive attitude remain such a difficult thing to maintain?

The answer is perspective: how you view each event as it occurs, whether you label it as ‘negative’ in your mind, and how you react to it. Happiness is not a tangible item that you can seek to discover; it is not the goal in-and-of itself. Instead, it consists of reframing your perspective. Yet, like anything of worth, maintaining a positive perspective takes effort and practice.

As I once overheard an insightful philosopher encourage his disillusioned student to stay positive during hard times, “the happiness you seek to find at the mountaintop, you carried within you all along.”

Emotion and beliefs are habitual, and are directly correlated to your self image. Our past conditions us to react ‘appropriately’ to circumstance and our thoughts then become automatic. Instinctively, we react accordingly. 

The answer, then, is contained in changing your beliefs about yourself and your habits, which in turn changes our attitude.

Instead of focusing on all the unpleasant tasks you must suffer through to achieve your desired outcome, consider instead all the enjoyable moments you are fortunate enough to experience. This belief assists you in viewing life as a gift rather than an obligation.

Do not use your precious energy and time on negative thoughts or a past beyond your control. This lends itself to an unfulfilled life full of regrets.

Focus on what you can control… your habits, your thoughts and how you view and react to circumstances.

Make an effort and DECIDE to modify you habits and belief; to cultivate a positive attitude…and you change your entire outlook. Pay attention to your words and habits. Before you seek to be understood, seek to understand. And act happy.

At times, you will find yourself falling victim to the ‘poor me’ syndrome. When this happens, simply acknowledge that you are feeling down, recognize the feeling as unproductive, announce to yourself “alright, I feel lousy, tomorrow is another day” (or whatever turn of phrase helps you to shift into a better frame of mind) and snap out of it. The power to create happiness is up to you.