What is it that determines the quality of your life? How is it that some can have all the luxuries that society has to offer yet still be unhappy? Simultaneously, how can someone with seemingly nothing be completely content with life? According to the conditioning that we have received, this does not make sense. We are taught that have all the 'toys' is what determines our happiness. Weren't we told that by going to school, getting good grades, and getting a good job with benefits would make us happy. Of course, many found out this fallacy in this concept.

We have all know the stories of people such as John Belushi, Elvis Pressley, Marilyn Monroe, and Jim Morrison. These stars had everything that our culture has to offer; fame, money, power, and recognition. However, all of them died prematurely. Their unhappiness led to alcohol and drug abuse that ultimately killed them. From the outside, they had it all. Unfortunately, inside they suffered tremendously. Substance abuse was a seemingly helpful way to deal with their plight.

What caused these people's unhappiness? It was the thoughts that they continually focused upon. Most do not realize that it is our thoughts that create the experiences of our life. If you are miserable, it is because you are thinking about how terrible things are. Concentrating on all that is wrong with our life will inevitable lead us to conclude that life is awful. Fortunately, the reverse is also true. Focusing on all that is wonderful leads to a terrific experience.

Norman Vincent Peale wrote a groundbreaking book a number of years ago titled 'The Power Of Positive Thinking'. In it he explained that thinking positively about the situations in our life will lead to good results. This idea is just as true today as when he wrote it on paper. Successful people have a success consciousness ingrained in them. Part of this is the mindset that things they are doing will lead to the results that they desire. They expect success to be the consequence of all that they do. Most have the exact opposite outlook. Their belief is that everything they do will fail.

Henry Ford once proclaimed, 'whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right'. The results we get are preceded by the thoughts that we have. When we expect things to occur positively, we put the forces of the universe to work for us. Simultaneously, when we concentrate on things failing, those same forces are turned against us.

The mind has the ability to create. Everything that is around us in the physical realm was once a thought. If you can touch it, it began as an idea in someone's head. Acknowledging this fact allows us to start transforming the power of our mind.

Most people do not realize that they have used their mind to create. In fact, that ability is perfect. What the mind focuses upon, it produces. Nevertheless, for the majority of our society, they concentrate on how awful things are. All thought is directed to figuring ways that something will not work out. Naturally, these are the results that are produced. Everything once started as a thought. All the misery in your life was something that you focused on. To change it, start changing how you think.

It is our thoughts that determine the quality of our existence. If you believe that life is a struggle or something to be endured, then that is exactly how your life will be. However, viewing your life as a giant adventure will enhance what you encounter on a daily basis. Take control of those habitual thoughts that occupy your mind. The power to create or destroy is contained within them.

Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His international best selling books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. He also has had thousands of articles published worldwide. His programs and more information can be found at www.yourrichlifeinc.com