I was able to chat with a young lady that I love and cherish tremendously.  She reminded me of a question that I asked her quite a while ago.  What makes you happy?   This question is probably one of the most misunderstood, because happiness is defined so differently by each individual.
 
Truthfully, happiness can't be determined by things and most certainly happiness isn't based
on external factors.  Happiness is a state that you, yourself, and your "I"
consciously reside in.  It's is an individual and internal place where you spiritually dwell.  You can be in a wheel chair - happy, blind - happy, sick - happy.  You can be happy!
 
A happy person doesn't allow the external factors, trials, and issues to determine their happiness.  In fact, their happiness, in spite of life's ups and downs is what changes their situations around. 
 
So what is this week's life empowered moment?  Look for your happiness and go get it.  But remember it's on the inside of you, so when you are looking for it, look on the inside! 

  
     According to Maslow's Hierarchy of need, people need the following things... Physiological (food, water, shelter), safety (freedom from fear), belonging (love), and self actualization (inner talent).  While this theory is was birthed in 1943, it is intriguing that every time I read it, it just feels true to me.        
     The only issue that I see, is what we as humans are doing to get those needs met. 
     For example, a husband that is insecure may bully and physically abuse his wife to make himself feel loved and needed (belonging).  
     A colleague will lie and backstab another to make his/her own self look good and skilled (self actualization).
     A person will work the same job for 30 years terribly unhappy in order to because the fear of change.
 What many fail to realize is that in order to truly have those things, there has to be a purity, honesty and drive to achieve them.  There has to be faith and trust that the great things that come
from the inside of them will be returned. 
     So what is this week's life empowered moment?  To love to life. Not only love me to life but love you to life.  That means that you love yourself enough to love others with a pure heart and with no malice, to trust that the greatness in you will be recognized, that dream will be realized, and that you can accomplish anything.  
      
So go ahead, love you to life and love others the same!