reading

Praise for The Happiness Perspective

“The Happiness Perspective is a superb account of positive choices, exercises, and plenty of question to ponder. The book guides its readers to examine their needs and motives for change, and then helps to reveal a path for action. I will be using it soon with my women’s groups.”

—Barbara Sinor, Ph.D., author, Finding Destiny

“Have you ever read a book and had an ‘aha’ moment where you chuckled out loud or paused and gazed at the sky thinking deeply about what you just read, while completely oblivious to your surroundings? The Happiness Perspective, a completely engaging, thought provoking, and easy read did this for me. No tricks or gimmicks or get happy quick schemes. Just good old honest self-examination. At the end of the day, happiness is choice. I had never thought of that before. I was too busy looking, searching, blah, blah, for external happiness but it is all internal. From now on, I choose my happiness.”

—Annette Sadelson, Rockville, MD

“While much has been written on how to achieve happiness, Diane Wing shines new light on the topic. Diane takes the reader step-by-step through the process of actually shifting one’s perspective through all of the layers and circumstances that may comprise the human experience of perceived discontent. The Happiness Perspective also teaches how to clear the path of any obstacles that may be in the way. These steps are accomplished not just with the mind, but with the whole self, and from a completely fresh vantage point. Profoundly transformative, The Happiness Perspective is a brilliant, comprehensive blueprint for self-awareness, inner peace, and the attainment of ultimate happiness.”

—Dyan Garris, author, visionary mystic, and New Age recording artist

“The Happiness Perspective: Seeing Your Life Differently is a guide for living a more positive, productive and healthy life. It shows you how to de-clutter emotional baggage and shows you that you really matter. I enjoyed the very perceptive exercises in the book. They definitely helped me put the focus on what I want and not focusing on what I don’t want. Diane’s book is truly a stepping stone for the ‘aha’ moments in life by just changing your perception.”

—Donna Phillips, Newark, DE

“When I discovered The Happiness Perspective, I was actively acknowledging and releasing negative thoughts and patterns tied to the end of a 30-year professional career. I was surprised to find a comprehensive self-improvement program in this book that succinctly addressed each of my present concerns... as if it was a gift written just for me. It provided a perfect roadmap for navigating the realignment of my priorities from corporate to personal abundance and success. I highly recommend it to everyone wanting to release the ‘Self that no longer serves you’ and embrace the changes that will bring new energy and abundance into their lives.”

—Maxine Ashcraft, Oakland, CA

“Diane Wing’s style is very easy to read and learn from. I was able to do the exercises and pick up and move on to the next topic. I was generally a happy, go-with-the-flow kind of person. I still am, but with a different perspective on how I look at events in my life. After reading The Happiness Perspective, I realized several experiences that I was holding onto were pulling me down when a new and similar experience was happening in my life. I am working through several exercises in this book to let go of the old experiences and learn the lessons my life has for me. I read many books and Ms. Wing’s is definitely one that will be kept within easy reach to be read over and over.”

—Antoinette Brickhaus, San Diego, CA

“The Happiness Perspective is filled with tips and techniques that work to change your worldview and bring calmness into your life. I know because I’ve tried many of these techniques myself, learning how to do less and enjoy life more.”

— Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D. and award-winning author of The Children of Arthur series

“In The Happiness Perspective, Diane Wing provides powerful, life-changing techniques that are easily incorporated into your daily life. Diane’s writing style makes you feel she is speaking directly to you, addressing your specific questions and supporting you during the process. So much has been written about ‘happiness’, but Diane makes clear that if you’re willing to do the work, it can be attained!”

—Maggie Patzuk, Audubon, PA

“I just finished The Happiness Perspective, and I really enjoyed it. I am not one for doing exercises in the book but Diane made it easy with how she asks the questions. Also, I feel I could just look up certain situations and learn from it in that moment in time. Thank you for all you do.”

—Kathy Sadler, Elkton, MD

“Diane Wing’s The Happiness Perspective delivers a refreshing message on self awareness and personal development. Life happens... but it’s still up to us to manage self. Diane’s message is clear; as humans we alone are accountable and responsible for our personal happiness and her ‘take charge’ approach along with practical techniques such as “grounding” help to navigate. A good read!”

—Sandi Stephenson, Toronto, Canada.

The Happiness Perspective

Seeing Your Life Differently

by Diane Wing, M.A.

Loving Healing Press

Ann Arbor • London • Sydney

The Happiness Perspective: Seeing Your Life Differently

Learn more at www.DianeWing.com

Paperback 978-1-61599-314-7

Hardcover 978-1-61599-315-4

eBook 978-1-61599-316-1

Distributed by Ingram (USA/CAN), Bertram’s Books (UK/EU), Ingram International (AU)

Published by

Loving Healing Press

5145 Pontiac Trail

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

www.LHPress.com

info@LHPress.com

Tollfree (USA/CAN) 888-761-6268

FAX 734-663-6861

Contents

Part I: The Happiness Perspective

How Do You Want to Live?

Seeds Take Time to Grow

Are You Really Ready for a Change?

The Pursuit of Happiness

You Are Your Best Authority

Is Happiness a Matter of Luck?

Back to Basics: The Need to Build a Strong Foundation

Everything Is Relative

Part II: Shift Your Perspective

Chapter 1: Regarding the Internal

Shift Your Perspective: On Adjusting

Shift Your Perspective: On Anger

Shift Your Perspective: On Anxiety

Shift Your Perspective: On Change

Shift Your Perspective: On Choices

Shift Your Perspective: On Desire

Shift Your Perspective: On Discomfort

Shift Your Perspective: On Doubt

Shift Your Perspective: On Fear

Shift Your Perspective: On Finding Yourself

Shift Your Perspective: On Mindfulness

Shift Your Perspective: On Motivation

Shift Your Perspective: On Negativity

Shift Your Perspective: On Self-Trust

Shift Your Perspective: On Regret

Shift Your Perspective: On Toxic Emotions

Shift Your Perspective: On Yourself

Chapter 2: Regarding the External

Shift Your Perspective: On Acceptance

Shift Your Perspective: On Aging

Shift Your Perspective: On Clarity

Shift Your Perspective: On Competition

Shift Your Perspective: On Complaining

Shift Your Perspective: On Detachment

Shift Your Perspective: On Disruption

Shift Your Perspective: On Drama

Shift Your Perspective: On Eating

Shift Your Perspective: On Encouragement

Shift Your Perspective: On Forgiveness

Shift Your Perspective: On Getting Help

Shift Your Perspective: On Gratification

Shift Your Perspective: On Judgment

Shift Your Perspective: On Learning

Shift Your Perspective: On Meeting New People

Shift Your Perspective: On Obligation

Shift Your Perspective: On Rejection

Shift Your Perspective: On Relationships

Shift Your Perspective: On Saying No

Shift Your Perspective: On Shopping Online

Shift Your Perspective: On Spring Cleaning

Shift Your Perspective: On Starting Over

Shift Your Perspective: On Success

Shift Your Perspective: On Trees

Chapter 3: Regarding the Eternal

Shift Your Perspective: On Control

Shift Your Perspective: On Healing

Shift Your Perspective: On Imagination

Shift Your Perspective: On Intention

Shift Your Perspective: On Letting Go

Shift Your Perspective: On Love

Shift Your Perspective: On Patience

Shift Your Perspective: On Peace

Shift Your Perspective: On Power

Shift Your Perspective: On Relaxation

Shift Your Perspective: On Sacrifice

Shift Your Perspective: On Silence

Shift Your Perspective: On Spirituality

Shift Your Perspective: On Strength

Shift Your Perspective: On Transformation

Part III: Staying Happy in the Present While Creating Your Ideal Future

Introduction to Part III

I Want My Life to Be Different…

Stuck?

Chapter 4: Your Personal Evolution: What Does It Mean to You?

The Meaning of Personal Evolution

The Process of Personal Evolution

Shifting on the Path of Personal Evolution

Finding Yourself in Order to Find Happiness

Can Your Future Be Predicted?

The Keys to Staying Happy in the Present While Creating Your Ideal Future

Is Your Current Lifestyle Sustainable?

Live a Balanced Life

Chapter 5: The Lessons That Lead to Happiness

Lesson 1: Go With the Flow!

Lesson 2: Listen to Those With Experience!

Lesson 3: Adapt, Acclimate, and Learn to Live Without Your Stuff!

Lesson 4: Understand a Different Culture and Way of Being!

Lesson 5: Be Respectful!

Lesson 6: Let Go—Make Room for the New

Lesson 7: Be Grateful—Harness the Power of Gratitude

Lesson 8: Stay Open: The Perfect Place at the Perfect Time

Lesson 9: See the Magick: Beliefs Drive Vision

Appendix: Dumping, Grounding, & Protecting

Clearing and Grounding

Clearing your energy serves to rid yourself of internal and external unwanted energies.

Glossary

References

Bibliography

About the Author

Index

Also by Diane Wing

Self-Help

The True Nature of Energy: Transforming Anxiety into Tranquility

The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment

Fiction

Trips to the Edge: Tales of the Unexpected

Thorne Manor… and other Bizarre Tales

Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds

In loving memory of my baby brother, Steven

Part I: The Happiness Perspective

Is happiness possible?

Everybody wants a happy life, but it is elusive to many.

I recently spoke to a woman about the idea of happiness. She stated that she felt being truly happy is not possible, that you can be happy in a certain circumstance, such as getting a promotion or receiving a gift, but not happy in general. How sad to feel as though no one can be truly happy. I disagree with this point of view. I know people who are incredibly happy with their lives, including me. It has nothing to do with how much money they have. In fact, those I know with the most money are the least happy overall.

The ones who have true happiness are the ones who feel a sense of fulfillment. They live a life that is perfect for who they are at their core, living in accordance with their true nature. They develop a lifestyle that includes self-control and taking responsibility for what they create in their lives. They revel in the small daily joys that provide them with a laugh or a sense of discovery.

Those who live in fear of what may come next and who adopt a sense of helplessness and hopelessness are unhappy. The ones who continuously chase after a goal derived from what others say will make them happy find that joy is always just out of reach. Each individual must determine for him- or herself what it means to be happy. Define what happiness means to you and get aligned with it.

You likely have a wish list waiting to materialize. Is it a list of stuff or a way of being that you seek? What if all of your desires came true? Do you believe it is possible? Do you think you have the ability to bring good things into your life in a positive way?

Tough questions to be sure. You may fluctuate between self-trust and uncertainty. When doubt creeps in, it sets up the potential for self-sabotage and procrastination. Sabotaging the potential for your dreams to become reality allows you to remove responsibility for why you do not have the things you want. The truth is, we are responsible for manifesting every single thing that is in our lives.

Unfortunately, it seems so much easier to believe that you have absolutely no control over what is in your life, blaming it on fate or the things your relatives did to you. When you find yourself blaming others for what is going on in your world, take a step back and ask yourself how you are contributing to your success or difficulty. Go deep into your questioning and include your basic beliefs, the regular thoughts running through your mind, and your actions or lack thereof. A pattern will emerge that leads to the understanding of how you are the master of your life and what you are doing to bring things into being—positive or negative. You have brought everything into your life that exists there right now. Realizing this helps you to understand the immense power you possess to change whatever it is you no longer want and to manifest your desires.

What does your world look like right now? Is it bright with opportunities or dull with boredom? What do you want it to look like? Understand what each part of your life looks like until they all align. Depending on what is happening around you, your mood, your physical condition, and many other factors, your view of the world you live in can vary. In the sense that each of us has a reality based on our unique perception, everyone lives in a different world. This is the Law of Infinite Universes.

What goes on in your world? Do you have control, or do you feel helpless? Do you use your power, or do you submit to those around you? The decisions you make each day are based in the constructs and framework you have built, which are based on learning and experience and what you think is possible. Gauge where you are by conceptualizing what your world holds within it.

How Do You Want to Live?

We all have dreams of the perfect life, of a way of being on a daily basis that seems to elude the average person. Often, the idea of a different life is conceptualized by stepping out of the current circumstances into a whole new one. Generally, change happens gradually rather than all at once. The transitions that carry you toward your ideal life occur in small steps.

Thinking about the ideal life can be different from actually living it. It is worthwhile to test your ideas and experience them in small ways. Find ways to incorporate your ideal life into the life you live now. Gradually, that life will begin to manifest in bigger ways... or you may discover that this particular path is not something you really want. There may be certain things you need to let go of in order to live a certain way. It could mean that living more simply and freeing yourself from the aspects of your current life that hold you back may be necessary.

It takes courage to leave behind an old way of being. It takes the ability to go deep into yourself to discover a way of being that aligns with your true nature. It requires that you listen to yourself rather than the voices of those around you who tell you it cannot be done. Cultivate a strong vision of the ideal way of life and make the changes necessary to step into it fully.

Seeds Take Time to Grow

Growth requires time. When a seed is planted, the plant does not sprout up spontaneously. It needs time, nurturing, and nutrients to grow into its ultimate form in a healthy way. We live in a world that demands instant results, products that profess to give immediate cures or relief, programs that proclaim to change your life right away with little or no effort.

While it is true that there are moments when we have an epiphany and the resulting change seems instantaneous, it is more likely that the realization has built up over time and something you encountered in that moment triggered all the learning that led up to that point.

Are You Really Ready for a Change?

Have you found yourself saying, “I know things need to be different, but I do not know what to do to start making changes”? Or “I need a new direction,” but you are not quite sure which path to go down, and then you place restrictions on how you approach the needed changes? The way you approach change determines the effectiveness of your efforts.

Some begin their search with a predetermined notion that is consistent with how things have always been. They search for the method or person that allows them to maintain their current view of themselves and their lives. When they hit upon something or someone that forces them to think differently, the approach is rejected.

Significant change requires nothing less than moving out of your comfort zone, challenging your beliefs, and the courage to make the necessary changes. If as you read that last sentence, you feel a tightness in your stomach and feel afraid at the thought of dumping all preconceptions about yourself and your life, then the question you really need to be asking is “Am I really ready to make the necessary changes that will bring me happiness?”

Here’s the truth: making significant changes in your life is challenging, requiring commitment, honesty with yourself, and pushing yourself beyond your current thought process. When you are forced to consider a new perspective and have a big reaction to it—emotionally, physically, or mentally—it requires further examination.

In youth, changes happen faster and closer together. Progress is made with lots of small victories, and you learn about yourself along the way. As you approach forty years old, the tendency to stay in your comfort zone increases, and while the learning continues, the changes are fewer and farther between. Experiencing life-altering circumstances such as a death or divorce can move you forward or force you back, depending on your reaction to the situation. No matter what, these situations increase self-awareness.

With each piece of self-knowledge that is collected, you move up a notch in your development. Each shift puts you in a different mindset and brings you to a new level of understanding, ultimately requiring new strategies and a bigger push to get to the next level. The farther along you are on the path to self-awareness, the bigger the chasm between where you are and where you are trying to get. The time on the plateau creates complacency. It is easy to feel as though you have done the work and that you are where you should be, yet the Great Work of the self is never complete and affords you perpetual growth opportunities.

If you feel you have done the work and already know yourself, then monitor the questions you ask and the goals you set. Take note of when you look for the things that support your current view of yourself. Seek to move beyond where you have been. Read and listen to alternate perspectives, whether or not you agree with them, simply to expand your viewpoint. Change is imminent when you are uncomfortable and when nothing seems to work in your favor. Anxiety exponentially increases the closer you get to a major shift. When the transformation occurs, it is a relief, the weight is lifted, and you can see more clearly.

So are you ready to make a change?

The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is associated with meaning and purpose in one’s life. There are numerous benefits of living a happy life. Think about times when you were depressed; often, they were followed by getting a cold. Now think about times when you had a period of happiness; you most likely did not become ill, but actually experienced a heightened sense of wellbeing and increased energy. When the world looks bright, there is excitement about what is around the next corner. To look forward to what the day brings enhances motivation and sense of purpose.

Those who suffer from depression and anxiety know the detrimental effects they have on one’s life. Nothing seems worthwhile, life is riddled with fear about what may or may not happen, and the world looks gray. Happiness eliminates depression and anxiety. These states of being cannot occupy the same space at the same time. A sense of joy creates higher tolerance, more compassion, and attracts people who vibrate at that same happiness level. Gloom repels those of a higher vibrational level; a happy, positive disposition attracts those who strive for and have found joy in their own lives.

Shifting our focus from overcoming the negative to increasing the positive is a great way to cultivate happiness and tranquility. Tranquility is defined as an untroubled state, free from stress and filled with peace. It is up to us to choose the state we live in and to clear the blocks to a happy, peaceful life.

There are days when you are bombarded with external stressors and circumstances beyond your control that weigh on you and derail your attempts to live a serene life. While the circumstances may be unavoidable, your reaction to them is within your power to control. It is a conscious choice to succumb to the habitual response that has become automatic or to stop, breathe, feel your feet on the floor, and decide to react differently. If this is difficult to fathom, consider how many times getting upset helped the situation. In my experience, the answer is zero. It takes practice to shift from being upset to grounded and centered.

Exercise i-1: Take the agitation and dump it into the ground (see chapter on grounding for ways to do this) and go into nature or your sacred space to recharge. To create a personal, peaceful place, choose a spot either inside or outside, smudge the area with your favorite herbs, beat your drum, call in whatever energies make you feel calm, and/or light a candle charged with the intention of setting tranquil energy in the space.

You Are Your Best Authority

One key to happiness is recognizing that you are your best authority. Listening to sources outside of yourself and giving external “experts” power over your decisions, your hope for the future, and your view of yourself is a recipe for misery. Some spiritual mentors, coaches, authors, and unethical practitioners of all sorts prey on those trying to overcome their challenges and who need help resolving even the most mundane issues.

To avoid handing over your power, ask questions, challenge the information, and even reject it completely if it feels right to do so. When receiving advice, check-in with yourself and see whether it feels right to you. If not, keep searching for the right person to guide you—one who embodies the principles that resonate with you. When you read a book that tells you to follow a specific way of being or to use a particular technique and it does not feel right to you, listen to yourself. Just because it is in writing does not mean it applies to everyone or that it is correct. I even encourage you to question what I am telling you now, in this book!

Use the four-part inner guidance system I discuss in my book The True Nature of Energy: Transforming Anxiety into Tranquility. When you hear a certain piece of information, how does it feel in your body? Do you tense up or relax? What thoughts go through your mind? Are they filled with fear and doubt or excitement and hope? How does it feel emotionally? Is there anxiety and depression, or do you light up? When you “ask” for Divine guidance on the information, do you get a green light or a red flag?

Maintain sovereignty always. Do not blindly trust; cultivate healthy skepticism. Do not assume you can trust everyone who says he or she is working in your best interest or who claims to be an authority. If someone says his way is the only way, that is a strong indicator to continue soul searching or even Google searching. Consider other opinions, especially your own. You are the best authority of what needs to happen in your life. You have power to make choices that are for your highest good. Embrace that power and learn how to cultivate your inner guidance. It is your best defense against charlatans and unethical practitioners, and it keeps the power where it belongs—with you.

Is Happiness a Matter of Luck?

Some people just seem lucky; no matter what they do, it all seems to work out for them. Others seem to walk around with the proverbial “black cloud” over their heads, drawing challenges, difficulties, and drama into their lives. What is the difference between these two types? What I have witnessed over and over is that those who are in a state of constant struggle expect to have problems and set-up limitations by finding all of the reasons things cannot happen. There is an inherent lack of trust that things will work out for the best. Those who are lucky tend to live in a state of gratitude, where they understand that they can take positive action toward their desires, yet do not feel the need to control how their wishes manifest. They have a generally accepting and optimistic attitude toward life, and those they surround themselves with tend to view life as an adventure, with problems that arise being opportunities to overcome and succeed. The more they open to possibilities, the more positive energies they attract. Essentially, they are creating their own luck and happiness—and you can too!

Back to Basics: The Need to Build a Strong Foundation

Some believe that happiness allows for an easy road, but it is quite the opposite. Living in joy requires focus, commitment, self-discipline, and self-knowledge. Before true happiness can be created, building a solid foundation is critical to successful work. The stronger you are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, the faster happiness enters your life.

Be healthy, mind, body, and spirit. Eat right, clear the clutter and clean your home, and strengthen your energy field with dumping, grounding, and protecting. A clear, fortified, and focused person is able to direct his or her life in a way that a scattered person cannot.

Your external environment says a lot about your internal state. Clutter and dirt in the home or in your sacred space reflects confusion, stuck energy, and a lack of self-worth. Trying to achieve the Happiness Perspective in this type of space produces muddled and ineffective results. Prepare the space by cleaning it while inserting the energies of gratitude, love, and reverence. Charge your cleaning solutions with the energy of protection and security. Hold the bottle of cleanser and send intentions that produce the type of environment you long for—peaceful, calm, safe, etc. Piles of clothes, papers, and other items serve to choke off the flow of energy. Clear the clutter to allow energy to flow freely through the space.

If you are feeling tense, upset, or ill, take steps to shift these energies and feel bright and purposeful. Take time to heal the malady. By doing so, your ability to manifest your desires exponentially increases. By approaching your daily routine in these ways, it translates into a more centered and focused way of being in which you are able to handle most situations in your life and direct your energy more effectively.

Everything Is Relative

Have you ever had something happen that upset you to no end and then you shared the situation with a friend who felt you were overreacting? You experienced the circumstance more intensely than your friend would have.

This is because everything is relative. If you had your hopes set on a particular goal, only to have everything fall through, it could be devastating. If, on the other hand, you saw the difficulties as a lesson and a stepping stone to an even better outcome, then it is likely to be motivating.

So the question becomes, in what context are you viewing the situation? Which beliefs are kicking in, and are they valid?

Let us stay with the idea of everything falling through. If you believe that there will never be another opportunity to fulfill your dreams, then it could result in depression. If you believe that the Universe is looking out for your highest good and things will work out for the best, the result is hope and understanding.

The idea of relativity is that everything has significance only in relation to something else. It is about context; nothing happens in and of itself; there is always a framework from which it is viewed and extended with internal or external circumstances applied. What one person feels is important may or may not be to someone else. It may crush one person and bring hope to another.

Putting things into perspective allows a heightened awareness of what the situation really holds. An extreme case is that of British physicist Stephen Hawking, a brilliant man who admits he was enjoying his social life a great deal and did not focus on his studies until he acquired the debilitating disease ALS at twenty-one. He was not expected to live past twenty-five, but he is now in his seventies. This would be devastating news under any circumstance, yet Stephen Hawking said that without ALS, he would not have accomplished even half of his groundbreaking work, let alone rise to hold Cambridge University’s Lucasian Professorship of Mathematics, a position that has been held by only seventeen men, including the father of physics, Isaac Newton. Hawking said that the disease forced him to focus.

Now, think about how an initial bit of bad news turned out for the best. What were you able to accomplish that would not have been possible without that unexpected situation? It all depends on the context of the situation.

There are many ways to perceive objects, behaviors, and people. The circumstances within which they occur lead to particular interpretations. The definition we apply to the person or thing is influenced by its context. This then determines how we respond to it.

For example, a person is an attorney. The ability to make a good argument, to manipulate information, and to cite precedence is valued within the context of a courtroom. The attributes that make the person effective as an attorney are not welcome in personal disputes. I know several women married to attorneys who complain that their husbands tend to approach a marital argument in the same way they would in a trial. In their personal life, this behavior is defined as off-putting and unwelcome.

A man who spends every Saturday playing golf could be perceived by his significant other either to be taking time away from her or to be providing her with a welcome opportunity for some “me” time. This is determined by the context of her definition of what a relationship should be. If it is that as a couple you spend all of your free time together, then it will be viewed as negative behavior; if alone time is important, then it will be viewed as positive.

The interpretation of an astrological natal chart is influenced by the reader’s perspective and the chart’s focus. If the focus is on vocation, the chart data is interpreted in relation to the native’s career opportunities and associated characteristics. If the reading focuses on health, the reader will interpret the same data in the context of medical astrology definitions. While the planetary positions are the same, their definitions change based on the context.

Start to notice how your personal definition of people and things is influenced by its context. How does your definition change based on the circumstances? Come up with your own examples. The main thing to note is that nothing is completely good or bad; rather it is initially neutral and its meaning and effect is dependent upon the context in which it is being perceived. Perception is reality, and so the way you see and define something determines your feelings, behaviors, and interpretations of it.

Say you need to traverse a quarter of a mile. If you are in good health, this is an easy task that is accomplished in minutes. If you have a problem walking, then it is a struggle to complete that short distance; it takes a lot longer, and results in frustration. How can the situation be dealt with to increase the joy in the experience?

If you insist on covering the distance without a cane, forcing yourself to push through without assistance, it is even harder. Add a cane and it becomes a bit easier but still frustrating and slow going. Add a walker and stability increases, along with confidence. Now, what if you added a scooter to the mix? The happiness quotient of traversing a quarter mile goes way up. It is easier, more enjoyable, and speeds up the process.

Exercise i-2: Here is something to ponder. Are you making things hard on yourself? Is pride, anger, or hopelessness the construct providing context to your situation?

Dealing with the symptoms (emotions) only puts a temporary patch on what is troubling you. Digging out the root is key to fully overcoming discomfort and entering into a happier view of the world. It increases your energy level, expands possibilities, and enhances understanding of what is in your life and how best to use the information held within the situation.

Exercise i-3: Pick a circumstance you are struggling with. Consider the emotions associated with that particular situation. What is the root of it? Is it anger at another person or at yourself? Is it that you have given up trying? Is it that you feel you can do it on your own without the right kind of help? Once the root is identified, list ways you can modify how you are viewing the situation and what types of assistance would be appropriate to move past it.

Look at everything within the context of the circumstances or the focus. What may seem negative in one context may be motivating in another. Everything is relative.