Jana’s Corner
Albert Einstein said, “The most important decision we ever make is whether we believe we live in a friendly universe or a hostile universe.” I like this quote. I believe how we choose determines how happy we will be in life.

About two months ago I was in a car accident and totaled my car, and was feeling like I lived in a very hostile universe. I was feeling very sorry for myself. I had a Toyota RAV-4 and loved my car. My thoughts were not positive ones. “What was the universe trying to tell me?” “What lesson was I suppose to learn?”

Now two months later I am driving a Toyota Prius going 500 miles before I need to get gas, and feeling like the universe is very friendly. In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen Covey talks about how we walk around with our own weather, and how we determine whether we see a friendly or hostile universe.

Mentally I know that what is happening inside of me is more important that what is happening outside of me. To blame other people, the weather, the situation, my family, is really just a waste of my time and energy. Don’t get me wrong, it seems easier to blame things outside of me and my control, than to accept the responsibility of my life.

I have to constantly work on practicing viewing the universe as friendly. And when I start seeing the universe as hostile, I know I have to only look inside to see what is going on with me. No person, situation, or event can control my life or attitude, or destiny, unless I allow them or it to.

How I see the universe and my life depends on me. I always have the ability to respond or response ability and so do you. We are unfortunately too quick to give our response ability up to someone or something else. We go for the short term fix, blame, instead of the long term solution, happiness.

Here are three things you can do to practice seeing the universe as friendly instead of hostile.
1. At least 10 times a day repeat this affirmation out loud: I am open and receptive to the good and abundance of the universe and I accept it now.
2. Do something nice for yourself at least once a day. Do not wait for the weekend or when you are finished working.
3. Laugh 15 or more times each and every day.
If we would all make a pledge to each other to take responsibility for our own happiness, and lives, and quit blaming each other, think about how much happier we might all be?

My intention is to choose to see the universe as friendly instead of hostile and know that no matter what is happening outside of me I always have the ability to respond and response ability. As the showing goes, “I may not always be able to control what happens to me, but I can always control how I respond to it.”

Jana Ruth

Author of Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life

www.janaruth.biz