February 2013 - Roland Byrd

Are you happy?

I hope you are. After all, what is a life devoid of happiness? But sadly, many answer, “No” to this critical question.

In western society we’re taught happiness comes from things or experiences or people. That’s flawed because external things, people, and experiences don’t make us happy. The truth is we allow ourselves to feel happy when our happiness rules are met.

Think about it. Two people can go through the same event and each come away with a different meaning. For example; one business owner might feel thrilled when the opportunity to land a big contract comes because it means more revenue or the chance to expand the company. Another business owner might have the same opportunity but feel annoyed that they need to fill out the bid or feel fear about the tax bracket the extra revenue will put them in.

It’s the same situation. So why does each react differently?

Their happiness rules—let’s call them their personal laws of happiness. The first business owner has laws of happiness that mean increased money is something to feel happy about. And the second business owner has laws of happiness that make extra money something to worry about.

What about a simpler scenario?

Think about a rollercoaster. You reach the top of the first hill. The car drops. Your stomach leaps into your chest. The wind buffets your face. You scream as the car rockets through the first turn…

Is your scream one of joy or fear?

Your feelings about a rollercoaster ride are based on your personal laws of happiness and are unique. I feel differently about rollercoasters than you do. The next person who reads this will feel differently than both of us. There’s no way around it.

Everyone has different rules about happiness.

But if you’re unhappy there’s good news. Heck, even if you’re happy there’s good news.

Happiness is within you! It’s already there!

You choose whether you feel happy or not. You get to decide how you feel. No one can take that from you.

I know someone’s gonna say, “But my life sucks! What do I have to feel happy about?”

Start with the simple things. Are you breathing? That’s something to feel happy about. If you’re reading this, you can see. If you’re listening to this, you can hear. You’re alive! You can think. You can make choices. You can change your happiness rules.

No matter what condition your life is in today, you have the power to change it! That’s something to feel happy about.

The best part is, once you choose to feel happiness in the simple things, it blooms and you’ll discover more and more happiness in your life!

Your life is a story, a grand adventure full of hope and wonder and love and happiness. Get out there and live it!

You are The Master of Your Destiny!

Roland

You Can Follow Your Heart or Follow the Herd

I woke up one morning and realized I was following the safe path. I was following the course society set for me in my career and in my life. I wasn’t following my heart. I was living as the victim of my history, shackling myself with beliefs and actions other’s dictated, afraid to forge through the pain of change because the pain of existing in numbness and despair was what I knew. I was following the herd.

After all, aren’t we taught to be consistent? Aren’t we taught to play it safe?

But ironically the safe path I followed was only safe because it was what I knew. The path I was on was fraught with anguish, anger, despair, self-loathing, and narcissism. I was so busy trying to protect myself from anything that could possibly harm me, that I’d become a loathsome creature indeed.

Then I woke up. I decided there must be a better way and that even if it killed me, I was going to find it because my family deserved better from me. Life and God deserved better from me. I made the decision that no matter what, I’d succeed. I started following my heart. And I forged ahead, and forged ahead, and forged ahead…

Waking up was a painful process. It took courage and perseverance. It taught me that I was stronger than I’d ever imagined, that I was softer than I knew, and that I could truly care for others. Waking up taught me that I could change, overcome old programming, choose who I was (or perhaps awaken to who I’d always been under all the pain and madness), and become that person. Waking up was the best thing I ever did. It’s the reason I’m still here. It’s the reason I write this blog and write books to help others.

I started waking up almost six years. Since then I’ve committed myself to living every day to the best of my abilities, to learning and growing continually, and to helping others.

Are you ready to wake up?

If you said, “Yes”. Then you’ll love my new book that’s coming soon. It helps those who know they must change, but don’t know where, or how to start, find their way through the confusion and pain of change. I am still finding the title. Check back often for updates.

For now please enjoy this visual poem Revelation, by Charolette Davies.

And always remember,

You Are the Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Archives for February 2013

Are you happy?

You Can Follow Your Heart or Follow the Herd

Double Your Motivation to Exercise!