There is only one thing to rely on for happiness in your life: The power of your mind.

Many people tend to complain and choose to focus on their problems, never realizing that the reasons for their complaints and problems stem from their own mind and their thoughts.

That is why negative people usually have the worst luck, nothing ever goes right for them and/or they are always sick or suffering from some physical ailment (neck ache, back ache, etc.)

It is also why happy, positive people tend to have good luck, things tend to work out for them and they typically have good health.

It is not a coincidence, people!

Consider the people you know.  Are they super happy, positive and loving life?  Or are they cranky-pants, stressed and just getting by?

Newsflash: Your world reflects back to you, how you think and feel.  Good or bad

So knowing this information, why do so many people continue to complain and focus on all the negativity around them?  Do they not believe they have the power to improve their life one thought at a time?

The great news is: YOU have that power!  And it’s easier than you think.

The first step is becoming more aware of what you think and speak about.

For example: When you wake up, you can be excited about the day anticipating a great day ahead.  Or you can dread getting out of bed and focus on all the reasons you don’t want to go to work.

Which will result in you having a great day?

And when you get to work, you can greet your co-workers in a happy mood, spreading the sunshine.  Or you can show up recapping how you couldn’t sleep and questioning whether it’s 5pm yet?

Which will result in you having a great day?

Then on your way home from work, you can recap all the amazing things from your day, such as:  so happy I got to work on time; Sally and I had a great laugh about that work project; lunch was extra good today.  Or you can focus on what went wrong that day, such as:  this was the longest day ever; Sally is so annoying; my boss has no clue; and I can’t stand this job.

Which will result in you having a great evening?

You guessed it! The person who deliberately looks for the good in everything finds happiness.  Now, will there always be stuff you don’t love? Of course. That’s called life.  But, you dohave a choice on what you give your attention to and what you choose to speak about.

So now that you know how your thoughts are responsible for how your life plays out, each and every day, how can YOU start thinking differently today?

Speak of your life as you want it be, as opposed to how it’s been.  Imagine your life how you want it to be versus how it’s been.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Just give it a try! XOXO! 

I remember in my early 20’s, sitting at the Airport Diner in Bohemia, Long Island at 11pm with an old friend catching up and discussing life. I recall being dissatisfied with where I was and pondering what was next.

Oddly enough, I remember the conversation well.  It went like this…

My friend: “Con, I feel as if you will never be happy.  You are always wanting for the next.  It’s as if you are never satisfied.”

Me: Whaaaaa…?? (Insert frowny face 🙁 here)

OMG.  He was totally right. I recall sitting there with nothing more to say other than thinking, geeeez, what is my problem…if this is my life I am so screwed.

Fast forward 10 years later…

I finally have a new understanding of the conversation that night.  It’s interesting when you finally realize that seemingly insignificant pieces of your past really do have significance. 

That night, I thought I had a problem.  I feared the mere thoughtof going through life never being crazy-excited about waking up each day, always wanting for more, never getting it, being strangely disappointed that I would be subjected to the same long career, typical marriage in my mid-twenties and juggling some kids until they were old enough for college.  Definitely Ok for some people, but for me…

Little did I realize that the exact opposite would soon happen and I would owe it to the conversation that night as my inspiration…

What I realized was…

I felt bad that night, but not because my friend was right.  I felt bad because that conversation revealed that I was focused in direct opposition to everything I ever wanted: a better job, more money, an awesome relationship … etc.  

I was allowing some else’s perspective of me, based on their own limited thinking (unknowingly of course…), to influence how I felt about myself and my desire to consistently grow.

As a result, I came to a very clear understanding, one in which I appreciate my friend for calling me out on…

90% of the population is content with the status quo.  They begin a career, work hard all their lives, wake up on Monday looking forward to Friday, and count down the years to retirement.  And if that’s you and that makes you super happy, then great. 

But if you are anything like me and find the status quo terribly boring and suffocating to say the least, then you are in luck…

What I finally realized is that there is are 10% just like me, who also believe…

Life is about the evolution of YOU.  Which means you are always going to be wanting for more. Long gone are the days when you pick one career and stick with it your entire life.  Instead you will create a goal, accomplish the goal and then move on to the next…

And there is nothing wrong with this at all!

In fact, the most growth, fun and satisfaction you will experience in life, is when you continuously expand your boundaries.  This is where increased confidence plays a role.  The more you try new things and accomplish what you set out to do, the more confidence you find in yourself.  It is pretty amazing and life-giving once you start on this journey of self-growth.

The second realization is something equally important and one that I was guilty of for years…

Appreciating YOURSELF. For years I neglected to pay attention and appreciate everything that I had accomplished so far.  This includes everything, the little things, the great things and even the things you screwed up royally.  Everything you do must be appreciated, because everything you do helps you clarify your likes and dislikes.

Some things you will want more of and some things you’ll realize that once tried, there is never a reason to have to do that again.  Every experience allows for you to make better decisions that are aligned with the NEW YOU and what you are moving towards.

Start Loving Life now…

Life is about progress. Life does not stand still.  Life only seems to stand still when you keep doing the same things over and over again.  This equals boring, stuck and the feeling of discontent. 

Don’t feel bad for consistently wanting to grow and evolve.  That is what a fun, amazing life is about. Expand your boundaries and life will expand with you, allowing new and great experiences to come your way.

Appreciate everything you can about everything you have lived so far.  Give credit where credit is due.  Every experience has created the person you are today.  Don’t allow any bad experience to consume you, instead appreciate the bad experience as a clarifying moment. 

Appreciate yourself for every little thing you have done or plan to do.  Once you discover the value in appreciating yourself, you will see how life changes in the craziest ways and crazy goooood things start to happen for you…

What steps can you take today to move your life forward? 

What things from your past and present can you appreciate for allowing you to be the person you are today?

Comment on the blog below! XOXO