Prosperity is about Happiness

Abraham Lincoln dryly remarked that: "People are as happy as they make up their minds to be." His words sum up beautifully the situation of happiness. For happiness is not about what happens to us; it is about what we choose to focus on, and give value to. It follows then, that happiness is a state of mind more than anything else. Having happiness means learning to take things less personally than we presently do. Perhaps, happiness also means letting go of the investment in having our expectations met.

Neither does being happy mean ignoring the problems in the world and only looking at the "good stuff." Happiness is about balance. We know there are issues in the world, and we needn't choose to draw a sense of fear and weakness from this. We also know the world is full of goodness, love and courage, and can choose to draw strength and inspiration from this, instead.

So perhaps happiness is really a balancing act. Maybe it is dynamic, shifting and weaving as we move through our day. Back in Roman times, Marcus Aurelius remarked "The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts."

[last modified 4/25/05]

 Next page...

 Prosperity index page...

 A Path With Heart index...