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  • Written by Eric North aka “The Happiness Warrior”


As The Happiness Warrior, I’ve always believed in our ability as humans to inspire our personal growth and happiness. This practice is elevated when we use a growth mindset that’s tuned in fully with our choice of attitude and active intention. It's a feeling of strength that comes when we know with conviction that no one can tell us that we can’t or shouldn’t do something. With this self-created power, we can overcome the noise and distractions around us. We can set our life journey forward with a sense of purpose, joy, and happiness. We can choose to live in our truth and refuse to conform to societal controls and restrictions. It’s giving ourselves permission to believe in ourselves no matter how hard the battle. It’s the triumph of our spirit when the world around us is in chaos and confusion. It’s how we create leadership and live by example. The growth mindset activates our lives in greater happiness and purpose.

With this mindset we’re able to conquer change and live our lives with self-awareness, and a renewed sense of how we see ourselves and what we stand for. It’s how we discover the best and most authentic version of ourselves.

No matter who we are or how powerful we may feel, life has a way of changing when we least expect. In the blink of an eye something can happen and everything we counted on disappears or reinvents itself. Life can get in the way of anyone’s path but how we accept our fate is how we determine our future. Attitude is ours alone to determine and our mindset is ours to choose. How open are we to life’s unexpected changes and possibilities? Do you view change as an exhilarating new playing field to explore?

Not too many years ago I began to battle my personal demons. It was a time of reinvention and allowing myself to process the truths and hurts of my life with honesty and self-awareness. I came to terms with my fast-paced younger life and all of its glory and damage. I became honest with how I felt about my family and began to forgive and forget. It took me long enough, but I was finally happy with myself. I focused on being my best and leaving the past behind. Reinvention was the mission that helped me thrive. I became a warrior for happiness in mindset and attitude. I wanted to help others find happiness and uncover the best parts of themselves.

LIFE CAN CHANGE ON A DIME

As humans we have limited knowledge of greater intelligence that will always be beyond our grasp. All we can do is strive to be our best and most authentic versions of ourselves. We can program our thinking to open our minds to all circumstances and reset our attitude at any time or place. How we readily adapt to change, survive is how we learn, adapt, and create growth.

Life can change at any time and we must be ready to accept it. The longer we hesitate the harder it becomes. Flow through life with an open mind and feel the power of serendipity and create better choices and opportunities.

 KEEP AN OPEN MIND

There are a lot of people out there who like to think that everything happens for a reason. It doesn’t take much explanation or deep thinking and allows them to merely exist.

They are fine in their limited scope and values, but in the long run they often feel their lives have less satisfaction and happiness. They have closed their minds to achieving their potential.

In order for our beliefs to be strong and meaningful we must always be open to changes in perception and reality. Too often we avoid self-awareness much to our later regret.

CHANGE THE WAY WE SEE OURSELVES

I’ve always believed that as humans we are all capable of change and growth. Nothing is set or predetermined. We are the creators of our own destiny. We often fail, get sidetracked, and see our opportunities rise and fall. We can get discouraged and fear the future and succumb to the safety of conformity. We can choose not to live in fear of societal shame and judgment. We have the option to give in or we can decide to never give up and make our lives matter. We have the choice, whether to accept control from others or take control of our lives?

Too often we tell ourselves that we aren’t good at something we’ve never even done. It’s new and might feel frightening, but the fact it’s staring in our faces is the only way forward if we want to be happy. Choices are always there when we are present in our lives with open hearts and minds.

As The Happiness Warrior, I encourage all of us to stop limiting ourselves and think about all of our dreams and possibilities. It’s exciting when we listen to our inner voice with conviction and take action. It’s the way to learn more about ourselves and uncover our hidden gifts and powers. It’s a way to take back our lives and show up for ourselves.

DESTINY MEANS PURPOSE IN ACTION

There’s an old saying “what you resist always persists” that applies to everyone know matter who we are. It’s the universe telling us to stop struggling and accept the wisdom and lessons before us. It’s how we grow and let go of our ego and need for validation. It’s how we create harmony and self-awareness in our thoughts and actions.

Our destiny is infused with happiness when we let ourselves relax and enjoy life’s journey.

Nothing is more important in creating a happier life than aligning ourselves with the energy of the universe and learning to flow and bend easily with what life brings us.

Do you believe your life is predetermined or that you have free will to create your life journey?

TAKE BACK SELF-ESTEEM

Everywhere we look these days we see ourselves spending our lives under the influence of others in their actions and lifestyle. They follow the trends and actually believe that there are people out there who are better than them under a guise of deception. The truth is always found within, and a happy life is never lived under the direction or control of others.  What we see is not ever the same as what others are experiencing. The truth is easy and straightforward. We never know what anyone else is thinking!

All of these self-defeating behaviors and emotions can be easily defeated once we stop and take a clear look at ourselves and realize our own value and honor our self-esteem. The way to move forward is to be aware of the benefits and believe in our right to be happy and at peace with ourselves:

1.       Do the hard things first.  When we put off the essential activities that are necessary for us to thrive and move forward we are only hurting ourselves.  Why put off something that is dragging us down when we can tackle it with courage and be done once and for all?

2.       Forgive yourself and let go of regrets. Time only moves forward and now is all that matters. What can we do at this moment in time to give us value and momentum?

3.       Strive to gain knowledge and wisdom. Life-mastery is the culmination of our powers that we gain from a growth mindset. Be your best today and vow to be even better tomorrow.

4.       Stop listening to people who are mean and exhibit negative behaviors. Why give energy to someone you don’t even respect?

5.       Stay curious, be excited, and interested. It’s okay to be earnest when we’re exploring the happier sides of life.

Now more than ever in this greatly changed world it’s important to learn to trust and believe in ourselves. Life is never easy for anyone, and many may suffer great trials and struggles. When we stop fighting our true nature we begin to and love ourselves with greater intensity. Life is better when care about being our best and learn to flow and bend with the universe. Eventually, we all arrive at the same destination. 

Eric North The Happiness Warrior

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