We all know the difference between being sad and being happy, but can we control it? Are we in control of our emotions or are we being controlled by them? I know what you're thinking, you can't control your surroundings and there for you can't control your emotions which are a direct result of what is happening around you. What if you're wrong?

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NOTHING IS OUTSIDE OF YOU

You are living in this world and you are surrounded by it but there is actually nothing outside of you that controls your life, everything is inside. Have you ever heard of a saying:

"The problem is not the problem itself but your thoughts about it."

Our emotions are a direct product of our thoughts, you can not control your emotions but you can learn how to control your thoughts. It is ok not to feel ok but it is not ok to stay in that state. The goal is to feel better and be better just a little with each moment. Politicians, world hunger, wars, injustice... I am not saying we should ignore all that, I am saying we should take a different approach and concentrate on the positive instead of the negative and bring more control to our lives. Do you know what anger is?

"Anger is when you let someone live rent-free in your mind"

People are not mind-readers and the fact is; when you are obsessing about someone and are angry with him or her, you are damaging you, not them.

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AGAINST SOMETHING AND FOR SOMETHING

Have you ever protested against something? Have you noticed the vibe that was going on?

You should be aware that your mind and the Universe itself don't know and don't use negation. If you are a parent you already know that because whenever you say "Don't do that." to your child, he does just that. Adults are the same. Where attention goes, energy flows.

By saying you are against something, you are actually empowering it. "But how do we fight injustice?" you ask, be FOR justice. Instead of being against war, be FOR peace and change the way your attention is going.

"You don't know what you're saying Petra, people are negative and there is no changing them."

"BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD", Mahatma Gandhi

The only person you can change is yourself, start with that.

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THERE IS NO PATH TO HAPPINESS, HAPPINESS IS THE PATH

I often see people in search of their happiness, struggling to find the things that will make their lives better and put a smile on their face. Why not decide to be happy right now instead? "How can I be happy when this or that is going on?" By choosing so. You have the power to choose. You CAN be in control of your life, you just have to make a decision and stick to it.

If you are struggling with depression, you can't be joyous in the next moment. That is too big of an emotional jump, but you can say to yourself that you will be better and better with each passing second, just a little better. You will see in no time that you are smiling again.

Choose to be happy right now. Look at your life and find at least 5 things you are grateful for. It can be your house, friends, lover, kids, the weather outside, your new clothes, a pet, that cute neighbor that winked at you this morning, anything. Concentrate on that for a moment, and repeat this exercise two times a day or more.

The other great way of practicing happiness is trying to find something positive in everything. For example, if you are stuck in traffic say something like "Look at how all of these people can afford cars, they must be doing great" or "I am so comfortable right now and so happy for not having to take the bus, I am warm and can listen to my favorite music."

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HAPPINESS CONTEST IS ABOUT TO START SOON!

My life's mission is to bring happiness to people and/or to spread happiness around so I have decided that along with my motivational and psychology posts (which I hope are benefiting my readers), I will create the HAPPINESS CONTEST which will start this Sunday and last for a week. Winners will receive a big rewarded in SBD and SP and all of the participants will get to share their happiness as well as enjoy others. So stay tuned happy people :)