Happiness

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”

– Jim Rohn

By: Lorinda Gonzalez

Being happy seems so simple, yet can be a daily challenge if you seek it in the wrong places.  Our society teaches us that to be happy you have to work long hours, make lots of money and accumulate “things.”  Cars, homes, jewelry, those new Christian Louboutin red bottom heels.  All of these material items are supposed to bring us happiness, but do they really?  Once you have acquired wealth and power, are you really happy?  I believe that happiness is much deeper than the accumulation of material items.  Sure, I love my collection red bottoms and stylish clothing as much as any other girl, but my true happiness comes from focusing on the joys of life and expecting miraculous things to happen in my experience rather than dwelling on lack.

Miserable? Try to refocus.

As a person with a disability, achieving happiness can be difficult if we’re focused 24/7 on our limitations.  Recently, I had a long chat with a good friend of mine in Texas who has the same disability as me.  She owns her own home, has a long-term boyfriend and her dream job, yet she’s unhappy.  “I just wish I wasn’t disabled anymore.  Being in a wheelchair sucks.”  Her negative attitude and focus on lack is what’s bringing her unhappiness.  This perception of her life completely blinds her from seeing the gifts and joyful parts of her experience.  During our conversation I said to her, “Why don’t you look at the bright side for a minute.   What is going right in your life?”  After a few minutes of refocus, she began to see how beautiful her life really is, which in turn made her happy.

Happiness Comes from the Inside – Creating a Beautiful Outside World

If you haven’t heard of the Law of Attraction, I seriously recommend you Google a book called, The Secret.  In summary, the book and 2-hour movie teaches us that on a metaphysical level, our thoughts create our reality.  If you focus on lack, sadness, stress, or what’s going wrong in your life, you’re going to get more negative experiences.  But, if you can shift your attention to what’s working right and feel a sense of gratitude, you’ll be shocked to see the beautiful things YOU attract into your life experience.

Law of Attraction

Since learning about the Law of Attraction, I’ve manifested everything from money to new clients and work opportunities, trips to cool destinations, and more love than I knew my heart could hold.  Anything you want you can have, if you just focus on the good and “feel” what it will be like to have what you want before it manifests in your life. Don’t believe me?  Try it.  Think of something small you want…a cup of coffee, an old friend to contact you, finding unexpected money.  Focus on what you want and think ONLY about what it feels like to have your desire.  Before you know it, the manifestation will come and The Secret will become your new fav book.

References:  The Secret by Rhonda Bryne (Movie is recommended; Free on Netflix)

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Author: Lorinda Gonzalez resides in South Florida with her family and service dog, Remy. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of three, and has used a motorized wheelchair for mobility since the age of nine. As an avid writer and reader, she has worked as a grant writer and editor since 2009.  She recently participated in Bold Beauty Project where she was a model supporting the cause of showcasing women with disabilities as  beautiful and sexy. Lorinda holds a Bachelor in the Arts Degree in English Writing and Rhetoric, and is currently completing a Masters of Arts Degree in Communications.  She is a co-founder of NMD United, a 501c3 and on the board of multiple non-profit organizations.  In her free time, Lorinda enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, listening to music, and traveling to historical locations.