I am not happy with . . .

I know that I am not alone in my complaints or concerns about the world, this life, or my own actions and attitudes. That does not mean others are complaining about me, but that we are all complaining about things that we want to see changed. There are days when my not happy list could fill up a full page and some days a full notebook.
It takes very little energy to find something to complain about around me especially on those days when my hair has its own opinions or I find a rip in my favorite pants. Once I get the ball rolling, it is easy to pile it on.

The challenge lies not in finding the problems but in choosing solutions. I must discover the steps that will allow me to overcome or manage the circumstances, problems or troubles until I find my way to the life that will be filled with the joy and peace so many of us recognize as happy.

Making a Change

1. Write down a list of things that bother you about your own life or your personal circumstances. Try to keep the focus on you for now. The best way to change the world is to begin by changing you. Keep the list to no more than ten items.

2. Number the list according to importance. This will prioritize the circumstances, problems or issues so that you can begin dealing with them.

3. Start with the item at the top of your importance list. Spend some time thinking about how you can begin to change that issue. Write out three to five actions that you can begin right now that will start to turn your circumstances around.

4. Put them to work. Action directs change. Sitting and planning will not make your circumstances any better. Waiting will not move the mountain. Grab your shovel, put your ideas to work and begin to watch your mountain crumble one shovel full at a time.

5. Keep a record of your progress. Writing down things that you have done will help you see where you are going. Turning around a large ship takes time and life is the largest ship that exists. Having a record of all the efforts going into the turn will keep you focused on the destination and not the moment.

The time starts now. Complaining about an issue will not make that issue go away and it only opens the door for more complaints. Choose to change the direction of your life by putting into practice the steps you need to overcome or manage the circumstances of the moment. The more that you do the more that you will find the joy and peace that gives light to the happiness you desire.