“A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all – he’s walking on them.” ~Leonard Louis Levinson

I have an inner guidance system. My own GPS (Guidance for Personal Sustainability). It’s nothing mysterious; we all have it. I’m sure you’ve said at one time or another, “Man, something told me not to do that.” or “I knew I should’ve listened to that little voice inside!” That’s your inner GPS talking. My GPS is set to Joy, or at least that’s my intention. If not Joy, then Happiness. I feel that happiness is a choice.

My emotions tell me when I’m veering off course at which point my GPS says, “Recalculating! Recalculating!” then gently guides me back to neutral so I can choose a better way.

Chronic negative thoughts and self-talk can lead to illness. That subtle voice inside is trying to guide us to our best selves. Sometimes it’s hard to hear it, hard to know how to turn up the volume. We must be still and check in with it often, make sure we’re still breathing, heart’s still beating. Otherwise, our GPS will feel taken for granted.

Sometimes we think we know better than our GPS. We take shortcuts to happiness. We mask whatever is stuck in our craw, ignore engine problems. We seek temporary happiness in food, shopping, drugs, etc. Or we think happiness is waiting for us at some rest area down the road. “I’ll be happy when I find another job, meet someone special, win the lottery.” Hmm..really? You sure about that?

When we think we’re smarter than our GPS, we no longer hear the inner voice. We’re left on our own until we fall asleep at the wheel, crash and burn, or run up on a crisis that forces us back to attention. Why risk it?

Happiness is available now. Make a list of what’s going right. Do an all-points inspection of your life, your health, your loved ones, and the blessings that abound like food and shelter. Fill up with high-test thoughts to get that engine running and back in gear! Then find time to listen. You’ll know which way to go.

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