BARBARA
AN INSPIRING PATH TO LEARNING TO BE HAPPY
Note: This is was initially written "prospectively" based on what I predicted would happen. As the process begins to unfold, I'll update this, and then remove this note and put somewhere in here an acclamation of "victory!!!". Right now it, and Barbara, are "in process". And Barbara's process will be an example for others, along with her determiination to make it all happen even when there are setbacks and/or periods of no progress.
Though it seemed at times that there was no progress and some regression, Barbara made some progress, and at this time has proactively set up a plan and some decisions that are smart and helpful. See Barbara's Plan. (Perhaps, she will do as the others did in creating their own success after some initial get togethers to solve "problems". See Case Studies.)
DESCRIBING BARBARA'S INITIAL THINKING
When Barbara started, she viewed life from a 90% negative bias. When she finished, she saw that life was, at the very least, 90% positive...as she quietly smiled through life and all the drama around her. Indeed, she become a mentor and an inspiring role model for wisdom and a sound, clear philosophy.
You will enjoy seeing her progress as she goes through the exercises and insights, and all over a relatively short time. Although everybody is different, you'll see that, overall, everybody is very simillar and that you can apply the same program to make your life like that of Barbara now.
She learned her childhood lessons well, as we all do from our caregivers and from our culture. And they were mostly the "wrong" lessons from a happiness point of view. Of course, she studied to overcome them and succeeded sometimes by overpowering them in a heroic struggle. But only when she looked at and fully understood why there was no truth in what she believed and also thoroughly understand why did the struggle cease and meld into easy victory, with no real battle left. The "untruths" were replaced by "what works" and by a strong, unshakable philosophical foundation of values and thoroughly learned and embraced beliefs.
Of course, some of you will say that Barbara had a head start, was exceptionally talented, and was lucky. But Barbara didn't see that. The lesson here is not about comparing oneself to others, usually unfavorably, but about the viewpoint and great understanding that underlies being happy about life regardless of the circumstances.
BARBARA'S "STORY"
Follow her story as it progresses and you'll see what viewpoints she started with and how she struggled and then began gradually at first to put it all together. You can read this like a book. Link to the book Contents.
BARBARA'S PROGRAM
Although you'll want to go through and read her story and her initial struggle, you'll also want to see what she read and what was made available to her overall.
Link to Barbara's Program to see the individual pieces and plans.
