| Socrates said that the beginning of wisdom is the | | | | to, or overcome. |
| definition of terms. You should begin your quest for | | | | Much misery comes from chasing other people's ideas |
| happiness and success by defining exactly what | | | | of success and happiness. "If I looked like THAT, I'd |
| "happiness" and "success" mean for you - otherwise, | | | | be happy;" or, "If I had THAT, I'd be happy..." Sure, |
| how do you know you don't already have it? You | | | | THAT house and THAT car and THAT job might |
| won't find success until you are happy and know | | | | make you happy. But what if it doesn't? Where did |
| exactly what success means to you; and you won't | | | | you get that definition of success you've been |
| be happy until you decide to be. | | | | chasing? Do you even remember? And what about |
| You may think that you don't have happiness in your | | | | your definition of, "Happiness;" since when did, "Good |
| life because you are feeling unhappy right now. It | | | | enough," become good enough? |
| may seem obvious to you that you are looking for | | | | Decide what success and happiness are to you; and |
| happiness because you don't feel happy, and | | | | then decide to be happy. It might not seem that |
| therefore are not happy. You may even be | | | | easy at first; but it is that simple. Let-go of your old |
| frustrated because happiness is so elusive, or seems | | | | ideas about not being able to be happy unless some |
| so far away. If only you could find happiness... Then | | | | particular thing happens, or unless you achieve, attain, |
| you wouldn't have to suffer anymore. | | | | or acquire certain things; and let-go of your |
| The secret to finding happiness is in knowing where | | | | attachment to the past - and all the things that |
| to look. Happiness is inside you. Even when you are | | | | happened to you, and all the things you lost. Then, |
| looking into the dark, scary, sad, or lonely corners of | | | | do what you love, and what naturally comes next. |
| your mind, happiness is still in there waiting for you to | | | | Eventually - probably a lot sooner than you think - |
| look in its direction. Define what happiness is to you, | | | | your thoughts and actions will have brought you |
| and then you'll know where to look - what thoughts | | | | what you were looking for. Don't be worried or afraid |
| to think and what images to dwell upon. | | | | that you are doing the "wrong" thing; listen to your |
| It has been said that success is: Loving who you are, | | | | heart and stay your course. If you've decided to be |
| what you're doing, and how you're doing it. There is | | | | happy regardless of your circumstances, situation, or |
| no financial component to this formula; nor are the | | | | surroundings, success is already yours; and you have |
| actions and moods of others a factor in your success | | | | everything it takes to successfully live the life of |
| and happiness. Of course others can affect you and | | | | your dreams - happiness, imagination, and faith in |
| your plans - but usually only if you allow them to. | | | | yourself and your dreams. |
| And, in any case, there is nothing you cannot adapt | | | | |