Day 12 - of 30 Days of Happiness

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity,

the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty

Today's post may not seem like a way to simplify life, but it is. Simplifying comes in many forms and one of them is our thoughts and our perspective. When we can get those areas under control we will have a simpler life because our mind will not be creating complications for us. It is definitely something you have to practice and you won't always be able to do but as with everything we do it is having an awareness of it. Once you are aware of your thinking then you can start working on it.

We may take a few posts to complete this:

When Difficulties come into your life - ask yourself whether the sky is Really falling?

We as humans have the gift of perspective, and perspective is about choice. Having the right perspective is a key to achieving simplicity in our thought life. My niece Beverly wrote a great post on this recently on her blog, http://nprfloridagirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-7-to-simplier-lifechallenge-and-i.html

When difficulties come our way in life most of us feel as if there is no tomorrow. It's ok initially feel that way but the key is to quickly move beyond that initial thot process and not let it take root in your mind.

The following are some ways to get some perspective on our situations:

• Think of what you have done in similar times in your life: Similar doesn't necessarily mean the same. For example, if you find yourself struggling with bad news or a difficulty has risen in your life..... you might ask yourself, "What did I do when I was going through a hard time last time in life" After all, a crisis is a crisis - if the sky didn't fall last time, it won't this time and in fact if you have lived any time at all you know that we do get through things. In fact, most of the time, our worst fears don't happen and if they do, we manage with God's grace and love to get through it.
• Think of how others (who you admire) have walked through similar situations.
• Think in non-catastrophic terms. Instead of thinking "This is awful, terrible, horrible." say to yourself "This is bad, certainly not something I want to hear or go through but I know I will get through it." First, this is a biblical response because the Word says to take our thoughts captive http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:5&version=NIV plus there is scientific evidence that your brain will react to your thought process, creating anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with these excerpts, from the devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" from

"He (Abraham) went out, not knowing where he was going" Hebrews 11:8

The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out' in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out" building your confidence in God. Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do - He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised by one iota by anything He does?

Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary worry is. Let the attitude of you life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God.