Success and Happiness

Success cannot be measured in material things and money; these do not guarantee happiness. Success and happiness come from valuing your abilities, celebrating the positive, appreciating the present and being flexible.
~ Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko

What is success (to me)? Success is my ability to appreciate each moment, to celebrate the positive points in my life, to face the challenges head-on, to be open to learn new things, to be decisive and goal-oriented, and to look forward. Success is what I make of it, as thoughts become reality.

I make a point to think positive thoughts. I try not to entertain negative thoughts especially those of others. Only my thoughts truly count. I count my blessings and appreciate the present moment.

Each hour affords us 3600 seconds to which I wish to use wisely and positively; because once they are spent, they are gone. I cannot get those seconds back. We are not guaranteed time. So, we need to appreciate each moment we have and use each moment to promote joy and love in our lives and in the lives of others.

I try to celebrate the positive aspects of my life. This helps me to stay focused to the important anti-bullying work that I do. Reliving the negative would only serve to distract me sending me into a downward spiral to despair. Why go there? Each of us has an abundance of positive moments in our lives that we can embrace and celebrate. This brings joy to our lives, which is followed by productivity and success.

I embrace new learning experiences and face challenges head-on. I am open to new ideas and opportunities to create a solution. I can detach myself from old ways of thinking when they no longer serve me. Possibilities are endless to those who can see beyond what they think they already know.

Success comes when I have a vision. I look to the future. My past mistakes have given me the fortitude and experiences from which to build. I have learned what does not work. Success becomes inevitable. Happiness follows as I have grown to appreciate myself, my abilities, the present moment and all the loved ones in my life.

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Anticipation

Anticipation. Is it a positive or negative emotion? Well, I suppose it depends on how the word anticipation is used because anticipation generally conveys an act of looking ahead or forward with delightful expectation. Anticipation is also a visualization of a future event or state of being. This is also a benign definition. Anticipation, or being enthusiastic, is an emotion or feeling that involves delight, pleasure, excitement, but at times a small amount of anxiety (tension, worry, fearful concern, or uneasiness) can be associated with it when considering an expected  event. So, anticipation can be negative if the expected event is not necessarily desirable such as a visit to a doctor or dentist.

Let us focus on the positiveness of anticipation like a brand new year. A new year brings with it a clean slate of time, a whole 366 days unscathed with events, good or bad. Yes, 366 days instead of our standard 365 days because 2012 is a leap year. We get an extra day. That is exciting, is it not? Of course, we have to wait until February 29. Anticipation, enthusiasm, looking ahead…do those in any way take away from now? Does it take away from being in the moment? I suppose it could especially if you are anticipating something neutral or negative like a doctor’s appointment or tax day? Hey, but we get that extra day in February, right?

Looking ahead with enthusiasm can be enriching as you live in the moment because right now you can see yourself in a state of bliss doing any future event or activity as you choose, like vacationing on a beach of your choice or having your book accepted by a renowned publishing house. Do we not live in anticipation of each new moment? Or do we dread the next moment? I propose that is totally up to you. For me I look forward to each and every moment where I can choose to do and feel whatever I choose. Why not anticipate? Anticipate the joy of the next moment as you enjoy this moment…and this moment….and this moment. It does go on and on does it not?

Anticipation can be fun. I propose that even those future events in our lives that seem less positive can be visualized with joy. For example, anticipating a session with the dentist can be visualized as seeing yourself with a clean, bright smile with minimal amount of probing and prodding because you followed through everyday (hopefully after each meal and before bedtime) taking care of your teeth that is brushing and flossing with enthusiasm in anticipation of going to the dentist so your appointment would be more pleasurable. Hey, how amazing is that? Do you see how your anticipation prepares you and guides your actions? You can do things now that will influence and create your anticipated future. Happy anticipating 2012!