I've been doing a lot of thinking about what happiness is and what it isn't. Actually, I'm in the process of writing a series of articles on topics that are closely related to happiness. I sure want to be happy, and I don't always accomplish it. We all crave happiness.

We attract what we are thinking about, so let's all think about "happiness".

What is the difference between a sustained state of happiness and moments of happiness? How does one get into that place where you are really deeply happy, no matter what is going on around you? How do you de-energize the ill effects of certain day to day events that are part of everyone's life? You know, events that don't inspire happiness.

Scenario: You're feeling on top of the world, you are making progress with your work, veils are lifting so you see things with clarity instead of befuddled confusion, you're feeling well, loved ones are well, great dinner is on the table, including Wes' potato salad.  Then the computer freezes, or your car has a $1200 repair, the deer ate the lilies, or someone you love passes on, or a friends says something that ticks you off, or something you've been wanting to happen doesn't happen after all and you just got the shocking news, or you don't like the results of something you've been working on diligently for months, or you burn the toast.

Now, you are basically a happy person. Your basic needs are met. There's a lot of love in your life. You feel gratitude and count your blessings every day if not every minute of every day.

How do you keep your equilibrium?  How do you keep from falling off the log emotionally when faced with such starkly contrasting emotions?

Here's the real kicker: you're worrying about the future. Will you have enough money to retire? Will you stay healthy? Will you be dependent or independent in old age? Will you lose your job? Will the people you love stay healthy and alive? Is the world going bankrupt, or will a brilliant plan save the world in time? Will you have the resources and time to "enjoy your life" before you are very old, say, 150 or so?

Is it any wonder that staying on purpose, staying in charge, staying positive, BEING HAPPY is a challenge?

We all want a better life. Isn't that what we are creating here at WA? We are creating a new life style, and we are putting ourselves in the driver's seat. People are happiest when they are self determining. Sure, there are some people who want others to do their thinking for them, but I don't know them. Do you? No matter how good or bad life has been in your opinion, you want to make it better.

Where's happiness? You own it. This is your legacy. This joy belongs to you. The only one who can take it away from you is you. Not governments, not employers, not your husband or your wife, not religions, not society. It's all up to you because you are a creative being controlling your own life. Don't hand over your power. More importantly, know your power.

One of the keys to happiness is living in the present. Deal with the present. Stop worrying about the future, because your future is determined by your present. And unless you know where the time machine is hidden, you can't do anything about the past.

Remember, we are a whole lot more than fancy robots that ride around in BMW's, wear Armani, vacation in St. Tropez, and eat caviar. We are a whole lot more than our latest press notices, our social status, our bank accounts. These things are all great and I love them too. If you can't take it with you, then it is all intended for temporal happiness and limited to the physical plane. These things give us pockets of happiness.

Real happiness comes from our spiritual connections which have no limitations unlike our physical being, present on earth for a limited time.

Creating any business, any kind of material success, stems from the impetus of the spiritual side of our natures because our creativity comes from spirit.  

Don't misunderstand and think I am Pastor Joan preaching religion at WA. I have nothing against religion, and I am certainly not a religious fanatic, although I respect religions. That's not what I'm talking about here. I just think that in order to be really happy, really successful, really prosperous, we need to trust our spiritual selves.

Living in a state of real happiness is something to be attained if you haven't already attained it.