Hello Again! I am still happily writing Getting To Happy and am making great progress.  Here’s a draft of questions and answers  readers might have about this book.  If you have others, please leave a comment and I’ll address your question or comment in this book!  Thank you in advance for your participation!

Q: How do I know if I am headed in a direction that will provide fabulously fun times?

A: Easy! Look for what feels good and follow that path!

Q. Why this particular topic?

A: See what will happen when we place a moratorium on negative thinking. Become aware of how we feel when we hear negative thoughts. How will we feel when we turn them into alternative positive viewpoints? Let’s ease into awareness of our surroundings. Our goal is to let your positive attitudes lead the way for the sake of happiness, not for getting things we want, and think we don’t have. We will focus on our peace, our abundance and quality of life. I have never regretted time spent looking at the brighter side of life!

Q: I don’t have any serious problems, what good will this book do for me?

A: We all have concerns from time to time. We’re brought up to think this is the normal way of living. Many of us focus on health issues, family issues, lonely issues, work issues, dissatisfaction issues, money issues, fix-it syndrome and always a what’s next energy going on. All of these issues come as thoughts to us. We have opinions about our particular situations and our opinions affect our lives. There will always be a what’s next opportunity urging us along. We are here to enjoy life. These sessions will help us expand our understanding of what it means to enjoy life!

Q: I’m happy until someone comes along and makes my life miserable. I don’t see how you can help with that!

A: I can help you realize that what you interpret about another person comes from yourself, not the person you focus upon. You will learn to recognize your attitudes that led up to this irritation. We will focus on just this topic. You probably think it would be wonderful if you could hide away and not have to meet up with anyone who irritated you, but then you might be missing opportunities for growth and great, wonderful experiences with people, places and things that irritate you but could expand your life! We will take time to see if this might be true for you!

Q: I’m happy until someone tells me I’m naive. I feel pretty stupid to want to be happy and not face reality. I feel life is meant to be hard. Can you help with this?

A. Yes. No one knows you the way you know yourself. No one has lived your life up to now. You are to create and choose your path whether or not others agree with you. Of course, you cannot do others harm, but we are not talking about negative responses to others. We are talking about having the courage to follow your dreams, your desire to live a happy life, no matter how many people chuckle at your endeavors. Never give up! Stay on your course!

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” – Goethe

The chapters will cover your feeling that life is meant to be hard. Is that what you really feel? Perhaps you have learned to give up trusting your own judgement. You can never allow the happy life you were meant to live if you give up your happiness in order to be friends with others. This is a great question and we will spend time developing plans to allow happiness even when it appears to offend our friends. You also brought up another important premise that gets in our way. You said life is designed to be hard. Actually, negative thinking is a lot harder than positive thinking. You can move pass struggle and pain to a better more satisfying world of cooperation, ease with the flow of energy and create well-being. This will be incorporated into our chapters.

Q: How do these chapters help me in leading my company to a new level?

A: It has everything to do with great, inspirational leadership. When you use your emotional navigation system, you will teach this system to those you lead by example. You will refrain from complaining to your colleagues, acquaintances, confidants and family members about your day. Complaints will keep you right where you are, in a situation you want to get out of. You will not solve your complaint by complaining (one negative plus one negative equals two negatives. But one negative plus two positives is heading in the right direction). When you learn your emotional navigation system, you are able to navigate to a solution that almost seems magical. Not only will those you lead benefit, you will notice a more successful organization and profitability. We were not meant to struggle. We were meant to enjoy the act of creation. It is meant to be fun. You have experienced this exhilaration, or you would not still be a leader. Use these chapters to enhance what you have started.

Q: I have recently lost my job and I am panicked I won’t find another job. I can’t imagine this book can help me?

A: Well, it can. You may not realize it, but look at your words,“lost” and “panicked”. These words are holding you hostage to a situation you really don’t want. Is there a softer way to talk about your situation. Let’s try.

My job has recently terminated. I’ve had new circumstances before and they have been life-changing. I found myself in situations that were better than the one I felt I lost. I am feeling a bit excited to see what new experience awaits me! I know I’ll have to watch my nickels and dimes a bit more carefully for a while, but not for long. I’m free to expand! Wow, that feels better. Life always treats me with such joy and I know this is true now. Here’s my new statement:

My job ended unexpectedly. I realize now that I was ready to move on, even if it is now uncomfortable. Each time I accept the situation I find myself in, life opens up new, exciting horizons! I know I’ll be fine as I explore new opportunities that are ready for me! I feel comfortable in knowing I always am in control of my attitude. I am ready to enter a new phase of my life. It feels fun. It feels exciting.

Re-word your thought process, especially when it comes to conversation with others. This will open up new opportunities for improving your situation.

Set a date to begin this book. You might invite a colleague or group, perhaps a book club, a faith-sharing group, a hiking or camping group, or the like, to join you in your quest for happiness and watch what transpires. I recommend you meet after each chapter, if you are using this book within a group setting. This book is meant to be practiced. Each time you read you will understand a deeper level.

Congratulations on taking this step toward greater enjoyment while you are on earth.

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Looking forward to publishing this book by December.