Are you hardwired for happiness?

Hi, my closest friends,

Some people around us focus more on the negative than the positive. For example, a colleague receives overwhelmingly positive feedback in their recent work review, then fixates on the few criticisms.

I love life.

We can err; if we apologize then that should be all—the error should never, ever again, be used against us of we’ve given a sincere apology. Done.

Another tends to worry about “worst-case scenarios” rather than envisioning the best-possible outcome. Worrying causes an unwanted scenario to become reality.

Yet another person constantly scans our news, environment, a tracker so they can “keep tabs” for potential threats—then brings those threats to our attention, repeatedly. And so we feel bad and worry.

This is not healthy.

Would you rather be surrounded by “negativity bias” or positive thinking?

This is a vital question—a social personality will treat you in a way that helps you achieve your goals.

Unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions, harmful/traumatic events certainly have an effect on one’s psychological state. These have a more dramatic effect than neutral or positive things.

We are hardwired to be hyper-aware of threats and avoid hazards. In a rudimentary way, the reactive mind potentially helps keep us safe.

But, this knee-jerk reaction is not serving us if we hold back from realizing and living our potential. That’s an undesirable consequence.

While we shouldn’t blithely ignore negative experiences, let’s focus on “positive thinking.”

So… how do we focus on positive thinking?

What is greatness?

Conflict or tolerance, cooperation or opposition, love or hate, such are the questions of both daily living and international affairs. In this article dating from the spring of 1966, Mr. Hubbard addresses the question: When subjected to hatred, what then is the answer to one’s own happiness?

“The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not.

“And the true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue.

“For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope.

“For those who cannot, there is only sorrow, hatred and despair. And these are not the things of which greatness—or sanity or happiness are made.

“A primary trap is to succumb to invitations to hate.

“There are those who appoint one their executioners. Sometimes, for the sake of safety of others, it is necessary to act. But it is not necessary to also hate them.

“True greatness merely refuses to change in the face of bad actions against one—and a truly great person loves his fellows because he understands them.

“To do one’s task without becoming furious at others who seek to prevent one is a mark of greatness—and sanity. And only then can one be happy…

“True greatness merely refuses to change in the face of bad actions against one—and a truly great person loves his fellows because he understands them.

Let’s love each other; let’s stick together

We are a team. As a team, we make it go right despite all obstacles because we believe in what is right.

You are great. I believe in you.

Let me know how I can serve.

XOXO

Marie