I’ve discovered it is possible to think and act in new ways. It is possible to change the direction I’m headed. It is possible to increase my experience of peace, joy, and happiness. It is possible to feed the positive wolf. Being peaceful, joyful, and happy does not depend on being good enough, smart enough, or deserving enough, nor does it require unique or special circumstances. The ability to experience these states simply has to do with knowing how. I believe our society does a poor job in educating people how to be
in a state of peace, joy or happiness. Many of our cultural institutions are better at teaching fear than trust, more accomplished in promoting judgment than acceptance, and in encouraging negative thoughts instead of positive thoughts. This is why I contend most people simply don’t know how to be happy, peaceful, and joyful. One of my core beliefs is every person does the best they can with what they know and have. I use the analogy of a toolbox when describing this idea. I call the different skills and knowledge, tools, and the combined wisdom and learnings gained over a lifetime become one’s toolbox. In reality we are born with an empty toolbox. Some individuals are fortunate to have wise teachers and rich life
experiences, which contribute to the adding of tools to their toolbox. Others are less fortunate, and their toolbox remains largely empty. I believe the inability to achieve peace, joy, and happiness is due to a lack of tools. Therefore, this book describes the tools which I discovered point me in the direction of peace, joy, and happiness. |