By Jason Osborn

I think this is the desire of most people in the world today. Since you are reading this article I think it’s safe to assume that this is true for you as well. I think you deserve to live a life full of happiness and success. If you don’t know how to do that then keep reading and I will give you tips on living the life of your dreams.

1. Do what makes you happy.

This seems so obvious but most people don’t. You have to stop making excuses why you can’t do what you love and that make you happy. Just start out with something small and build up from there. Life is too short to never be able to do the things that make you happy. Start to schedule time in your week to do something that makes you truly happy.

2. Create successful habits.

Your habits and routines in life will dictate the results you have in your life. If you don’t like the direction that your life is going you have to be proactive and change the direction of it yourself. This too will take some time but it’s much better to start now. That way in ten years time you will be able to look back and see how much you have grown and increased.

3. Learn to enjoy life.

It is easy today to look at other people’s successes and life and but dissatisfied with yours. If you need to make changes in your life then so but you can’t always want what other people have. One of the biggest breakthroughs that you will have in your life is to learn to enjoy every moment of your life. It’s ok to want to grow and increase and want success but learn to slow down sometimes and just enjoy your life.

Some people can face difficult situations and smile while others will waste their time complaining. James Branch Cabell, US essayist and novelist captured this in his remark, “The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.” As we begin the month of February, I am reminded of my mother, Martha Allison Cannon. Mom shared her birthday with George Washington and I learned about how to approach life from this quote from her namesake (Martha Washington), “I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” Pubilius Syrus in 100BC said, “No man is happy who does not think himself so” and Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” My experience has shown me that you only have to try this approach to understand the truth of what these people are saying.

I have also come to know and fear the pessimist. Helen Keller said, “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit” and Vince Lombardi proposed that, “Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” Pessimists in small doses may help one to set realistic expectations, but a steady diet of pessimism is truly poisonous and will bring down even the most positive person. Pessimists are practicing losers.

Consequently, I have come to the point in my life where I avoid pessimists for I fear their potential for bringing me down to their level. Philosopher and psychologist William James said, ” Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” In fact, there is a thing called “The Law of Attraction” which can be best described by Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Francois d La Rochefoucauld provided one of the best reasons for gratitude and a positive mindset when he said, ” Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.” Going one step further, Ecclesiastes tells us, “Give not over thy soul to sorrow; and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. Gladness of heart is the life of