In 1988, Bobby McFerrin took the phrase, “Don’t worry, be happy,” from Meher Baba and converted it into a song which hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Is it possible to not worry and be happy?

It is possible and the proof is we have each been able to achieve this worthy ideal at some point in our lives. Establishing a pattern which permits us to be happy instead of worried can give rise to effective action which positively influences and determines our destiny.

Why do we worry?

While each situation is different, it tends to be the lack of something. We can express it in terms of “Not Having” a particular condition or feeling. If we are worried about a poor result on an exam, it’s because we “Don’t Have” the knowledge necessary. If we are worried about a bill which is due, it’s because we “Don’t Have” enough money. If we are worried about an interview we are about to have, it’s because we “Don’t Have” enough preparation. If we are worried about what happens when we pass from this reality which we call life to another reality which is yet unknown, it’s because we “Don’t Have” certainty of what is going happen.

How can we be happy?

While the possibilities are endless, it has to do with “Having” something. We are happy because we “Have” enough knowledge which allows us to shine on an exam. We are happy because we “Have” enough money to pay our bills. We are happy because we “Have” the preparation necessary for a positive result on an interview. We are happy because we “Have” our own faith about what will happen when we pass from this reality we call life.

It is possible to not worry and be happy when we focus on what we “Have” instead of what we “Don’t Have.” If we are worried about a poor result on an exam, we can focus on the brain we “Have” and the capacity we “Have” to increase our knowledge. If we are worried about a pending bill, we can focus on the mind we “Have” and creativity we “Have” to make money. If we are worried about an interview, we can focus on the experience we “Have” and the common sense we “Have” to better prepare ourselves for the encounter. If we are worried about death, we can focus on the faith we “Have” or in this instant which we “Have” or on the wonderful memories we “Have” or the children we “Have” or the positive relationships we “Have” or in the magic in each and every moment we can “Have” in an instant.

In a well-worn phrase which has become a proverb, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” These moments come from what we “Have” and not from what we “Don’t Have.” Don’t worry, be happy because we all can be thankful for the many things we “Have!”

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 27

Not everything in life is beautiful and bright. From time to time we can all use guiding lights. Challenges and disagreements come frequently and furiously. A map which helps us grow and build with each passing day is useful. Following are points of light which can be used as guiding lights. They are based on the premise that no one is “perfect” and the exceptional book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

BE KIND: In any situation we can obtain much more by being kind. Though we may be offended and hurt by what others do and say, we can always get better results by being kind rather than by being aggressive or critical. If we are to be kind to others, we should start by being kind to ourselves. When we make a mistake, let’s give ourselves permission to be “imperfect” and carry on without the mental anguish we create in our mind.

FLOW WITH EVERYTHING: When something happens to throw us off course, we can do the following. First, we can realize no one is “perfect” and, as such, people will say and do things we don’t like. This doesn’t make them “bad” people; it simply means they have a different perception of the world from our own and we shouldn’t take it personally. The second is to realize the world is not as we would like it to be, rather it simply is as it is. Instead of fighting against what happens in life, we can go with the flow in the same way a river runs its course regardless of obstacles.

CONFIRM PERCEPTIONS: Some our most serious disagreements arise as a result of misconceptions. “I thought you were going to come!” we can reprimand a friend who has not shown up for a meeting. A simple confirmation beforehand could have completely avoided the mishap. What we are thinking is not always what the other person is thinking and it is almost impossible to know what goes on in another’s mind with any degree of certainty. We can also confirm important facts. For example we may say, “I thought my money was insured!” The answer which comes back could be, “That’s what you get for thinking!” When we confirm perceptions and important facts, we open the doors to beneficial agreements and understanding.

GIVE OUR BEST EFFORT: When we give our best effort, we can sleep better knowing we have done all we can do. It’s important to know our best effort will vary depending on the day, our mood and our health. If for some reason we don’t give our best effort at any given time, we can go directly to the first point and be kind to ourselves without the mental battle which often takes place in our mind.

LEARN FROM EVERYTHING: Life consists of a myriad of experiences. Some are magical moments which take our breath away. Others are devastating defeats which make us want to retreat. We can learn from everything. While we learn much from what we like, we often learn more from what we don’t like, although it is quite possible we may learn more than for what we bargained. What we can do consistently is to learn from everything.

Life is made up of moments which are not good, bad, or ugly. Instead, they simply are what they are. We can live a life with less consternation, tribulation, more emotion and intention when we are kind, flow with everything, confirm perceptions, give our best effort and learn from everything.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 26

Imagine a life where you take action with energy

Imagine a life where you have confidence in yourself

Imagine a life where you are tenacious in all that you do

Imagine a life where you take initiative to achieve your dreams

Imagine a life where you tolerate those things you don’t like

Imagine a life where you are helpful to other people

Imagine a life where you have a burning desire

Imagine a life where you flow and grow with time

Imagine a life where you laugh at life instead of cry

Imagine a life where you adapt easily to change and challenge

Imagine a life where you make decisions based on your principles.

Imagine a life where you are curious to learn more about what you do

Imagine a life where you live with passion and determination

Imagine a life where you bounce back from adversity

Imagine a life where you implement and instigate

While it seems difficult to imagine a life where all of these elements form part of our reality, it is possible to achieve what we most desire.

“How is this possible?” you might ask.

It is difficult to be the “perfect” person who integrates each of these qualities which a “good” person “should” have. What is possible is to determine what we most desire and focus on this quality.

For example, if we determine the most important thing in our lives is love, we simply have to give lots of love. While not all will return our love, some will. If we determine what we most want in life is money, all we have to do is focus all of our time and energy in generating money. Eventually, we will do it. It’s possible other things may be lacking in our lives, though money will not be one of them.

We can live the life we dream and imagine. We simply need to be very clear about what we really want and not disperse our energy in so many different directions. When our desire is well defined, the next step is to breathe it into our inner soul and integrate it into everything we do. By doing this we can stop imagining and begin living.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 25