The Answer Key

Everyone wants to be happy, but the how can be complicated, or is it? Happiness tends to elude those chasing it, but the pursuit is not required. Happiness is a chosen experience in what you say, what you do, and how you live your life. From one moment to the next, despite what is or is not going on around you happiness is your choice. Despite external challenges, accept and know that everything is contributing to your growth, what is for you will be yours, and nothing can infringe upon your happiness without your permission. It can not be destroyed or diminished, you can only be distracted. Decide to be happy; choose it and it will always choose you. ~For more positive posts check out fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me @_TheAnswerKey  daily! photo: quotesvalley.com

If you make up in your mind that the things that bring you joy will always outweigh the things that don't; you are already starting your day off on the right foot.  Do not charge yourself with a bad day based on one negative person, situation, or unfortunate set of circumstances. Give the day the opportunity to turn around. Decide to be open to the awesomeness everyday still has to offer; you never know what the rest of the day may bring. Start the day with your expectations set on awesome. No matter what happens, you should consider every day a great day unless there is death in it. Yes, your only excuse for not having a great day every day is if you are in mourning, and even then, you should find the space to turn grief into gratitude for the experience of knowing and loving them. It may not be easy, but make it a great day, every day is more than a mindless notion; let it be the mindset to get you going every morning, and even when it is not all it could have been cracked up to ...

No matter what is going on around you; what trouble arises, what drama shows up on your doorstep, or negativity tries to impede on your happiness, take your power back. Your time is precious and valuable and your life will be the sum of what you make it. The time will roll on no matter what you decide to do with it so make a choice to use it in the most positive, loving, happiest way you can. Everyday, focus on your joy, invest in your gift, increase your peace, despite what may be thrown at you. Make the most of the time you have living more mindfully and minimizing the time you waste on worthless, useless, meaningless things. No one knows how much time is left in their hourglass so spend your time well. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me @_TheAnswerKey daily!

Put more you in your day. Passionately, wholeheartedly, and consistently put the necessary amount of you in what you want to do. No matter what anyone else says, thinks, or tries to project onto you, you know that are at work and putting your best effort into everything you do; keep it up. That thing you want most deserves more of your time so make time for it- keep at it because you deserve it too. If things deflect, deter, or damage your faith still stick to it. The possibilities in your every step are limitless- keep going. Even the smallest bit of progress is still progress; it moves you forward and brings you closer to your goal and makes you better at whatever it is than you were before so don't give up. As long as you keep working on you and toward that life in your head that means you are trying, being brave, making an effort to be, have, and make things better and it will ultimately have to manifest, but first you have to give more of you to it. It is great to give yoursel...

When you have a dream, no matter how crazy it may seem, that dream is sitting and waiting for you to move. It will be as patient as you require. It may even be dormant and sit silently for a while, but it is waiting, and will continue to wait until you decide you are ready, you are relentless, you are unwavering in its coming to be. It waits for you to believe in it. It waits for you to make it real. It waits for you to make a move- take action. You may have challenges, obstacles, and fears, but know that there is nothing truly standing in your way but the priority it holds on your priority list. If you make it necessary, as necessary as shelter, food, clothes, and water it will move up on that list. Move it up. Make it non-negotiable. Choose today to answer to the draw, the pull, the calling that your dream is speaking to you and show up, rise up, and never give up on it. Keep dreaming, but starting today, dream with your heart, mind, and eyes wide open then make your move. ~For more ...

It is crucial that you believe in you more than anyone else does.  Y our belief in you is incredibly important. No matter how exhausting, how far, or how long it may take, you must first believe. As long as you are alive, you have more time, knowing that time invested in your dream is always time well spent no matter how much time your dream requires; let that belief be what keeps you going. Realizing that time will pass no matter what you do, find the courage to consciously choose to repeatedly give your time to your dream and make time for it. Believe that to make the most of your time is for you to invest it in your dream and making it happen because you believe in it and yourself despite, obstacles, challenges, fear, or doubt. Your belief is enough to keep you going knowing every little effort brings you closer to making your dream your reality. You could very well be much closer than you think. There is no big secret to success if you know the key; the key to your success is Y...

While there may be some difficult, challenging, or painful circumstances that arise in your life, rise above them. Never let anyone or anything diminish, dismiss, or define your greatness. Know that your grayest cloud weighed down by your biggest problem, filling your deepest wound with lemons sprinkled with salt can also be wrapped in hope, potential, and endless possibility. Life amounts to what you choose to make it; make it the best life you can live. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me  @_TheAnswerKey daily!

Some people who falsely attach their happiness to other people or stuff will find it a temporary, fleeting fix. While the awesome partner, job, car, house, friends, and vacation may enhance your happiness, none of them should define it.  Happiness is not something you go out and find. It is an internal experience you choose. It is the perspective you have while you are on your journey to your purpose, your passion, and your dreams fulfilled- not the destination's location. It is in the doing, being, and seeking authentic fulfillment. Happiness is "found" in the alignment of the mind, heart, and soul saturated in the positive, focused on gratitude, and invested in love. At the end of the day, you choose. Choose to be happy if for no other reason than the fact that on your worst or last day, it is your choice to make. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me @_TheAnswerKey daily!

Everyone has a dream of doing, having, or being something, and there are steps you must take to turn that dream to into an accomplishment and become successful at it. Like all things, your first decision is the decision to believe in yourself enough to start. Begin with the commitment and promise to yourself to make it happen. The first step to successfully doing almost anything is in your preparation. You must have a real understanding of the process your journey will require. With every and anything you set out to do, you need to understand what success at it looks like- learn as much as you can. Then, the second step is remaining committed, focused, and invested. Your commitment is crucial to make it through challenges despite the obstacles that may present themselves throughout your journey. Lacking the necessary commitment and focus will undoubtedly stall you from achieving any goal you have for yourself. Also, being invested in your own success must be a priority. The time you co...

Every chance you take and effort you make will move you closer to achieving your dreams if given enough time. The greatest gift you can give is your belief in yourself and the expression of your God-given gift to the world in all its glory, but first you must decide that your dreams and goals are worth every effort, energy, and as much of your time as your other priorities. Your dream has to become a priority in and of itself. While you divide your time, people will notice, and it  is a possibility that while on your quest other people will not share your same appreciation for your dreams, find them lofty, or unattainable, but thankfully, whether they are or are not is not their choice to make. Y ou must immediately quash any thought, doubt, or suggestion from them that you are not worthy of it, and muster up the courage to go for it anyway. You are just as capable, talented, and worthy as anyone to make your dreams come true, whether they do or don't is entirely up to you, and tim...

Try to make it a great day every time you get the chance. Start your steps to happiness with this understanding; the first reason to be happy is in your face as soon as you open your eyes every morning. You have another opportunity to live your life better than you did yesterday. From the very beginning of your day, as soon as you roll out of bed and start your morning routine, put a smile on your face first. Think about the goals you will accomplish today. Direct your thoughts. Put on some good mood music, light your favorite scented candles, take a hot bath, phone a friend, but most importantly, remind yourself that all trials are temporary. Something great is on its way no matter what your current circumstance may be. Keep your head up, your hopes high, energy and thoughts positive, and push forward. Through it all, no matter what the experience is before you, you can positively endure it, learn from it, and grow into your best self. Pace yourself, smile through it all, and beco...

While choosing what you want may seem hard, it may very well be the easy part. Deciding to relentlessly go after what you want no matter how much unsolicited advice and opposition you get from others, the lump in your throat when you speak of it, the unsubstantiated fear of unworthiness, and despite the overall unknown is truly the hardest part. That said, you can walk away or you can embrace every obstacle with the belief that you will come out okay on the other side no matter what challenges arise, and just go for it anyway. If you know in your heart that whatever is pulling you, constantly on your mind, fills your heart with joy, and brings you fulfillment is already yours to have, be, become, and experience in your life, no matter what the outcome is in your pursuit, the journey will be worth it. This is your year, so do it... go for it... fight for it... grab hold of it like it had already belonged to you, you temporarily misplaced it, and you are back to reclaim it as your ow...

No matter how scary the unknown may be, commit and prepare today to go for what you really want this new year. If things could be better, you need a change, or you know you took a wrong turn somewhere, this coming year is your time to make it right and adjust accordingly. Do not let your fear of the unknown debilitate you. Do not be stifled by the comfort of the monotony you know and let the reward of a little discomfort in effort and hard work pass you by.  The beauty of this life is the freedom and power you possess to make it as you wish with no excuses or explanations needed.   This year, you can choose to make the moves that best serve you and do not apologize for it. Let that be the first difference you make between this year and the last; having no excuses, explanations or apologies for aligning yourself with the intentional energy, attention, and effort to invest, create, and start living the life of your choosing. Life is cyclical so in choosing to give your life your...

Some people spend their whole lives searching for their gift unsure of what it is they are suppose to bring to this life, but the fact is you, your presence in itself is its own gift to the world. What you have to offer your relationships, your job, your experiences could not be the same without you in it. The biggest obstacle you have to conquer is your own self-doubt, trepidation, and fear. Meet those inhibitions with great courage; be brave in your actions, make peace with your past, and know that everything is as much a gift to you as you are to it. Your intention to bring the calm, the joy, and the understanding to your experiences will only invite more of those things into your life. From now on, show up in the world just as you are knowing that you are a gift to everyone and everything around you- be the gift. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me @_TheAnswerKey daily!

What you say to yourself everyday determines what you do, when, how long, and how well you do it. It is time for you to get excited about the goals in your life. Own your right to become all you have ever dreamed of being and do whatever you must to succeed. Know that and no one can stop you but you. You are your own biggest critic for sure; it is time to become your own biggest cheerleader. Believe in your dreams, believe in yourself, believe with all your heart that your dreams are worth your time and commitment. Decide that you will not let your light go out without shining it upon the world. Show up for yourself as much as you would anyone else, refuse to put off your dreams for another day, and do not be afraid to go after what you really want. Muster up the nerve to give it all you have got and finally choose to make all of your dreams come true- it is your move. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me at www.twitter.com/_TheAnswerKey daily!

Whatever you do, live with your eyes wide open. Intentionally surround yourself with the kind of people you admire. Appreciate and exchange the goodness that comes with having them in your life and the privilege of being apart of theirs. Not everyone will show up with positivity, passion, consideration, love, and trust-worthiness as their contribution to your experience, but in those instances, your only job is to notice. Accept people as they are, from where they are, and respect their limitations. Then, create a firm enough buffer around yourself that their limits do not adversely affect your life or how you are living it. Smile, play, laugh, relax, and enjoy your life as much as you can. Choose what kind of experience you want to have and whole-heartedly pursue it everyday. Be an example of the kind of person everyone should and wants to have in their corner and be grateful for the ones that live up to the task for you. Life can be short or long so make sure you are in good company....

Take ownership of sweeping around the welcome mat of your life. Everyone that needs something or could benefit in some way from you is not necessarily for you so choose wisely.  Make deliberate investments in people and things that you believe in. Being selective about your investments is a matter of protecting yourself: your resources, your energy, your time. Draft people into your circle that you can trust, confide in, and rely on just as much as you meet those expectations for them.  There is nothing wrong with being choosy about the benefactors of your investments. It can be a risky business, some of them may or may not pan out, but you will at least have made the choice to be or not to be involved.   Eliminate any relationships that feel one-sided, fake, phony, or forced.  Your draft is directly connected to the fullness of your life so remember that you have the option to pass, opt-out, and walk from the table where you are not being best served. Now, you shoul...

Be conscious of who you expose, exhaust, or invest your gifts and awesomeness in. When giving yourself away be aware of who, what, and why first and that you may be pouring into an empty well. Just because you have the knowledge, ability, or convenience (which is often simply assumed by the other party) does not mean you are required to do anything despite what may be expected. Your awesomeness is best served concentrated. Sprinkling like confetti sounds good but can feel more like spreading yourself too thin.  All the time, intellect, and energy you spend is immeasurable because those are the most valuable commodities you possess and can not be recouped. Therefore, when in doubt choose what is best for you, what you love, what you can be proud of and invest in yourself; you will never be disappointed. ~For more positive posts stop by  fb.me/TheAnswerKey  & tweet me @_TheAnswerKey daily!

Decide that you will find the opportunity, possibility, and probability that life is handing you the key to success, happiness, and fulfillment through every experience. Be, do, and seek the practices, things, and people that multiply the positivity in your life. Take every moment in stride; choose to believe in a future that showers your path with light under all circumstances even when you are in the rain. Keep walking, love every forward motion as an individual blessing. Even when it is most difficult to find, determine what you are being gifted in each moment, even if it is just a stormy soundtrack to walk to. Refuse to be slowed down by any negativity that presents itself. Remember to seek the positive possibilities under all circumstances; that will always minimize your burdens and multiply your joy. Make the most of each moment you are in and make the experience worth the life and energy you give to it. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me @_Th...

Dream of where you want to be and the steps you will take to get there. Start with small goals for your big dreams, and remember that success takes time, but most importantly, it takes your consistent effort. Everyday, do the best you can with the 24 hours you have been given. Accomplishing small goals creates a trend and provides the drive to success. Remember that the path to success lies in your daily habits. Make choices that bring you closer to your goals, and eventually make your dreams a reality. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit," says Aristotle. Start a new success-driven habit for yourself today. ~For more positive posts stop by fb.me/TheAnswerKey & tweet me  @_TheAnswerKey daily!