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Barbara Berger
Everyone wants to live a happy life – but the big question is how! So why not try a new strategy? Since we all know that we suffer when we want what we don’t have, why not try a new strategy and want what you have instead?
OK laugh, but when you stop laughing… think about it for a moment. Is it really such a weird idea? Is it – especially when we know that all of life is just a mind game anyway? When we realize this and realize that our unhappiness arises from wanting what we don’t have – why not use this understanding to experience the happiness we seek by wanting what we have instead!
Can it be that simple?
Well let’s take a closer look at this mechanism.
Start by taking a moment and bringing yourself home to yourself. Now ask yourself – and answer as honestly as you can – what is making you unhappy right now, right this very moment? Chances are it’s because you don’t have what you want – or because you have what you don’t want, which is just another way of saying the same thing. Is this true or not? Be honest with yourself. The only thing that can be preventing you from being happy right now is wanting something you don’t have. Maybe it’s better health, maybe it’s more sunshine, maybe it’s a nicer place to live, maybe it’s a partner who’s more understanding, maybe it’s more money in the bank, but whatever it is, it’s something you don’t have at this very moment in time. And this is what’s making you unhappy now.
Take a moment and think about it.
Is what I am saying true or not?
I am sure it is because what else could possibly be making you unhappy at this very moment? It can only be the thought of what you don’t have that’s making you miserable. It can only be a thought of something that’s lacking. Of something you don’t have…
So why not decide to want what you have and be happy instead?
Again when we see the mechanism, we discover that this is not as crazy as it sounds, especially when you realize that all our experiences are just thoughts in our mind anyway.
And yes that is the truth and there’s no escaping this fact – every single experience we are having is just a thought in our mind – every single one of them. There is nothing else going on. Even though some of these thoughts (and experiences) are thoughts and experiences we like and therefore desire while others are thoughts (and experiences) we dislike and therefore resist. However you look at it, that’s all that’s going on. There are thoughts in your mind – and you either like what’s going on or you don’t. And that’s about it. The situations in themselves, the specific events and circumstances that we like or dislike, really don’t have much to do with it at all. They are just the happenings of being alive that are unfolding before us. It’s our preferences and opinions about what’s going on that make us happy or sad. It’s all about how we relate to things and circumstances and the people around us.
So why not want what you have instead? This is the fastest route to happiness!
So let’s try it for a moment – try experimenting for a moment with wanting what you have. First of all take a good look at what you have at this very moment in your life. Look at what you’re doing, look at where you’re sitting, become aware of what and how you’re feeling, and notice what is going on around you. Take it all in – whatever it is. Don’t be judgmental in any way, just look around and see what’s going on around you in your life right now. Both externally and internally. Then take a deep breath and ask yourself how you would feel if you really and truly wanted exactly and precisely all of this right now. How would it feel if you could only want this? If you could only want everything that is happening around you right now as well as everything that’s going on inside you? How would it feel if you really felt this? If you really felt that whatever this is – whatever is happening right now – is absolutely perfect for you? If you really felt that you didn’t want to change anything at all? Take a leap in your imagination and try and see what happens!
How does it feel?
Give yourself a chance to really feel what it feels like to want precisely what you have at this moment.
And then let it sink in.
Ahhhh….
It feels like instant peace, doesn’t it!
It feels like happiness now!
_____
About Barbara Berger
American-born Barbara Berger is the best-selling author of “The Road to Power – Fast Food for the Soul” (published in 30 languages), “Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life” (published in 21 languages) and “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind”. Barbara's latest book is "Find and Follow Your Inner Compass – Instant Guidance in an Age of Information Overload". Barbara also works as coach and therapist, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. For more about Barbara see her Web site: http://www.beamteam.com
*** Below are titles & links to the beautiful work from Barbara. She is a long time contributor and my dear friend:) ***
The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool – Your Inner Compass
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2087
The Key to Happiness; Understanding the Way the Mind Works
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2113
Who would you be if you didn’t know your age?
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2147
The Power of Right Seeing
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2177
Review of Barbara Berger’s book Find and Follow Your Inner Compass by Riki Frahmann
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2184
Are You Here Now? Are You Happy Now?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2247
Discovering Who You Really Are
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2284
Getting in Touch with Your Heart
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2299
Follow Your Passion & Accept the Consequences
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2324
The Power of the Joyful Giver
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2359
You have nothing to deal with but your own thoughts
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2374
Radio show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/starzcast/2018/09/26/natalie-interviews-barbara-berger--author-on-self-empowerment
Peace Is Your Nature
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2398
The Power of Contemplating Love
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2423
How Can We Serve?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2452
The Importance of Mind Management
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2472
Focus on the Real – A Way of Dealing with Worry and Catastrophic Thinking
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2499
Nothing External Can Disturb Us
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2527
Just Let Everything Be!
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2548
The Gift of Crisis
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2563
The Power of Asking for Help
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2592&fbclid=IwAR1ZK91thdusdkQTdqu0fHXgarR7Ghv7rmAjR6NypUUfLh2wv1ozLLi-HjU
What does it mean to be psychologically mature?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2625
The Meaning of Life
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2644
The Power of Praise & Blessing
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2682
Our Unalienable Rights
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2712
Meeting the Family & Keeping Your Peace of Mind
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2737
Healthy Boundaries – the Secret of Good Relationships
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2758
Healthy Parenting
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2777
OK laugh, but when you stop laughing… think about it for a moment. Is it really such a weird idea? Is it – especially when we know that all of life is just a mind game anyway? When we realize this and realize that our unhappiness arises from wanting what we don’t have – why not use this understanding to experience the happiness we seek by wanting what we have instead!
Can it be that simple?
Well let’s take a closer look at this mechanism.
Start by taking a moment and bringing yourself home to yourself. Now ask yourself – and answer as honestly as you can – what is making you unhappy right now, right this very moment? Chances are it’s because you don’t have what you want – or because you have what you don’t want, which is just another way of saying the same thing. Is this true or not? Be honest with yourself. The only thing that can be preventing you from being happy right now is wanting something you don’t have. Maybe it’s better health, maybe it’s more sunshine, maybe it’s a nicer place to live, maybe it’s a partner who’s more understanding, maybe it’s more money in the bank, but whatever it is, it’s something you don’t have at this very moment in time. And this is what’s making you unhappy now.
Take a moment and think about it.
Is what I am saying true or not?
I am sure it is because what else could possibly be making you unhappy at this very moment? It can only be the thought of what you don’t have that’s making you miserable. It can only be a thought of something that’s lacking. Of something you don’t have…
So why not decide to want what you have and be happy instead?
Again when we see the mechanism, we discover that this is not as crazy as it sounds, especially when you realize that all our experiences are just thoughts in our mind anyway.
And yes that is the truth and there’s no escaping this fact – every single experience we are having is just a thought in our mind – every single one of them. There is nothing else going on. Even though some of these thoughts (and experiences) are thoughts and experiences we like and therefore desire while others are thoughts (and experiences) we dislike and therefore resist. However you look at it, that’s all that’s going on. There are thoughts in your mind – and you either like what’s going on or you don’t. And that’s about it. The situations in themselves, the specific events and circumstances that we like or dislike, really don’t have much to do with it at all. They are just the happenings of being alive that are unfolding before us. It’s our preferences and opinions about what’s going on that make us happy or sad. It’s all about how we relate to things and circumstances and the people around us.
So why not want what you have instead? This is the fastest route to happiness!
So let’s try it for a moment – try experimenting for a moment with wanting what you have. First of all take a good look at what you have at this very moment in your life. Look at what you’re doing, look at where you’re sitting, become aware of what and how you’re feeling, and notice what is going on around you. Take it all in – whatever it is. Don’t be judgmental in any way, just look around and see what’s going on around you in your life right now. Both externally and internally. Then take a deep breath and ask yourself how you would feel if you really and truly wanted exactly and precisely all of this right now. How would it feel if you could only want this? If you could only want everything that is happening around you right now as well as everything that’s going on inside you? How would it feel if you really felt this? If you really felt that whatever this is – whatever is happening right now – is absolutely perfect for you? If you really felt that you didn’t want to change anything at all? Take a leap in your imagination and try and see what happens!
How does it feel?
Give yourself a chance to really feel what it feels like to want precisely what you have at this moment.
And then let it sink in.
Ahhhh….
It feels like instant peace, doesn’t it!
It feels like happiness now!
_____
About Barbara Berger
American-born Barbara Berger is the best-selling author of “The Road to Power – Fast Food for the Soul” (published in 30 languages), “Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life” (published in 21 languages) and “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind”. Barbara's latest book is "Find and Follow Your Inner Compass – Instant Guidance in an Age of Information Overload". Barbara also works as coach and therapist, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. For more about Barbara see her Web site: http://www.beamteam.com
*** Below are titles & links to the beautiful work from Barbara. She is a long time contributor and my dear friend:) ***
The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool – Your Inner Compass
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2087
The Key to Happiness; Understanding the Way the Mind Works
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2113
Who would you be if you didn’t know your age?
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2147
The Power of Right Seeing
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2177
Review of Barbara Berger’s book Find and Follow Your Inner Compass by Riki Frahmann
http://www.mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2184
Are You Here Now? Are You Happy Now?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2247
Discovering Who You Really Are
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2284
Getting in Touch with Your Heart
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2299
Follow Your Passion & Accept the Consequences
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2324
The Power of the Joyful Giver
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2359
You have nothing to deal with but your own thoughts
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2374
Radio show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/starzcast/2018/09/26/natalie-interviews-barbara-berger--author-on-self-empowerment
Peace Is Your Nature
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2398
The Power of Contemplating Love
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2423
How Can We Serve?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2452
The Importance of Mind Management
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2472
Focus on the Real – A Way of Dealing with Worry and Catastrophic Thinking
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2499
Nothing External Can Disturb Us
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2527
Just Let Everything Be!
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2548
The Gift of Crisis
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2563
The Power of Asking for Help
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2592&fbclid=IwAR1ZK91thdusdkQTdqu0fHXgarR7Ghv7rmAjR6NypUUfLh2wv1ozLLi-HjU
What does it mean to be psychologically mature?
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2625
The Meaning of Life
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2644
The Power of Praise & Blessing
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2682
Our Unalienable Rights
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2712
Meeting the Family & Keeping Your Peace of Mind
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2737
Healthy Boundaries – the Secret of Good Relationships
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2758
Healthy Parenting
https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2777
