Once I became interested in achieving the things in life that I really wanted, the first obstacle I ran up against was myself. To begin with, I was a “worry-wart.” And, it’s impossible to focus on what you want when you’re focused on what you don’t want. That’s what it means to worry – to focus on the opposite of what you want.

In Bobby McFerrin’s song Don’t Worry, Be Happy, he hits the nail on the head. Since happiness is the ultimate bottom line behind all goals, why not cut to the chase and just start out by being happy. And since worrying doesn’t make anyone happy, why not give it up?

“But,” you might say, “how can I accomplish my goals if I don’t concern myself with how things are going?” Or, in other words, “Don’t I need to worry my way to success?” The answer is an unequivocal “NO!”

As a matter of fact, learning to maintain a state of happiness can be a big asset to achieving success. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Before I had a lot of money, I was really quite happy. And I tell you this, although you may not believe it, I never would have gotten the money if I wasn’t happy to begin with. I never would have gotten it!”

One of the first and most important books I read on my own road to Abundance and Wealth was Dale Carnegie’s How to stop worrying and start living. In his book, Mr. Carnegie points out that worry serves no useful purpose. It solves nothing. Just the title of his book - Stop Worrying and Start Living - made me realize how important it is to consistently reach for positive, uplifting, inspirational thoughts. Thoughts that promote aliveness and abundance. Thoughts that make you feel good.

But how in the world does one give up worrying? How do you learn to be happy now? How can a person shift, at any given moment, from worry to happiness?

It’s one of those “simple but not necessarily easy” things. You must PAY the price of happiness. What’s the cost? What’s the payment?

Attention! You must PAY attention to how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. If your feelings or thoughts turn your productive energy off, then you will have to give them up. And, at that point, you must PAY attention to what turns you on by thinking about whatever makes you feel happy and charged with life.

The true price of happiness, therefore, is to PAY attention to happiness. You focus on happy thoughts – whether they’re past memories, present blessings or future fantasies. Shifting your focus and managing what you PAY attention to takes practice. But it’s well worth the work – and the price. After all, happiness is the bottom line anyway!

Katie Byrd will take you by the hand and teach you the skills she's used to journey from a financially strapped, bad credit nightmare to debt free abundant living. To find out more visit: http://abundanceandwealth.bellaonline.com

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