I have forcefully chased various conditions, in the hopes that one of them would eventually lead to contentment. But after I grew exhausted with this approach (I’m still active, but I now recognize that being demanding/tyrannical of reality often falls short, even when I happen to elicit success), I decided I didn’t want to chase things anymore, and that’s when contentment found me.

It had been there all along, patiently waiting.

I believe if you tend to your inward state—be consistent about turning toward the most positive emotion you can resonate with (if it’s negative, accepting the negativity and using the acceptance as a stepping into less negativity or maybe even positivity)—then solutions and opportunities will make themselves apparent.

The important thing for me is not to force it. In my case, forced positivity only leads to extended negativity.

I used to be puzzled by how often others mistakenly claimed they knew what I was thinking. Then I became surprised by how often I made the same mistake.

Eventually, I concluded my primary focus should be my own perception. Whenever I strove to control others’ perception, victory was elusive, fleeting, and open to question. In the long term, it’s always been an exercise in frustration and disappointment. It’s just not worth the hassle.

The limitations of time and space allow us to create (and become) a temporary narrative, destined to fade as the eons pass. So with the life I have left in this particular story, I would rather focus on enjoyment and opportunity, and let unexpected fortune organically arise.

I’ve tried it the other way—focusing on past mistakes and a burning need to prove myself worthy—and it constantly led to more of the same. It wasn’t nearly as pleasant, fulfilling, or productive.

If I seek satisfaction in the moment, regardless of the conditions occurring around me, I’m aiming my intent at the very reason for changing a condition.

I don’t see this as settling for less (since being satisfied/optimistic enhances my performance and opens the floodgates for unexpected/positive change). I see it as claiming my birthright.

Theoretically, abundance is a given. Potential dances through and around us, in every quantum fluctuation of our existence. But that doesn’t always translate to life, where it often seems like we’re cut off and bereft.

That’s why we are creative individuals. If we can open our perception to possibility and adventure, we can begin to ride their transcendent currents.

In order to take joy in my linear narrative, I indulge/entertain in the importance of my past and my future. But when I want to take a break and enjoy who I am, I forget whatever I’ve pretended to be.

When I abide in acceptance, I have an effective foundation through which to implement change and become a better version of myself. (Which, ironically, would be the intention behind rejecting who I am. I resonate more with acceptance, but that’s just me.)

You deserve to be your brightest, happiest self. If friends/family can’t handle that, it isn’t your problem. Hopefully, they’ll come around, but if they don’t, I believe it’s a moot point; I believe we eventually return to a greater benevolence, rendering all that we do into a no-lose game.

Outwardly, you may have to do this or that, say this or that, but there isn’t any reason to sacrifice your inward happiness to satisfy another—that works against the purpose of the game.

Personally speaking, my experiences mirror those of mystics, in that my feelings seem independent of outward conditions.

So while I check the boxes, dot my Is and cross my Ts, I do my best to reside in the serenity of my imaginary dreams. If I can’t snap my fingers and have it all immediately, I can at least have the feeling of it. That is what I truly desire—when I have gotten what I wished for and felt disappointment and lack, I didn’t care for what I had acquired. Conversely, when I have been shorted or damaged and I was deeply abiding in positive feeling, I didn’t really care if I had just experienced a seemingly detrimental event. And due to my positive state of mind, I was able to parse opportunity from apparent negativity.

I believe abiding in positivity has opened my mind to serendipity, and consequently, my goals have fallen/are falling into place much faster than I ever thought possible. Whether that’s magic or psychology, I leave up to you.

I’ll just focus on being a happy dreamer.