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Ahhh, the American Dream. You're sitting by the beautiful ocean at Kaanapali Beach on Maui basking in the warm rays of the dying sun as it sets into the horizon. It's not just the sun that warms your body. You also have that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes just from knowing that thousands of dollars are pouring into your very large bank account from your fully-automated home based business. Life is good...or is it? Life IS good, but that's not the reason why!

What is it that makes life so good? Is it wealth? Nope! Some of the wealthiest people in the world live absolutely miserable lives. The suicide rate among wealthy people is very high. Is it Love and marriage? Nope! The divorce rate is higher today than it ever has been in history. Could it possibly be power? I don't think some of the Enron executives would say they were having a good life. So what is it?

Okay, are you ready for this earth-shaking revelation? The secret to a good life is happiness! Disappointed? Well, you shouldn't be. Happiness is the Golden Fleece! It's Shangri-La! It's the ultimate high! It's the next big thing just around the corner! Zillions of dollars are spent each year by people trying to find true happiness. Isn't that what we are looking for in a mate? Isn't that what we spend most of our time trying to achieve? Isn't that what you are looking for in that home based business you are trying to get off the ground?

Is it possible to find happiness in this post Sept 11 world we live in today? Absolutely! The problem is, you are not going to find it in external things. Happiness comes from within. THINGS can't make you happy! They are only a temporary solution to a more serious problem.

I know a lot of you don't particularly ascribe to any particular religion, but please allow me to use a story from the Bible to make a point. One of the best examples of inner contentment and happiness comes from Acts 16:16-36. It tells the story of Paul and Silas who were stripped, beaten and thrown into prison in shackles. That would probably be a very depressing situation to those of us who look to our external circumstances for our happiness