What are the biggest problems facing the individual these days?

Although they will vary from person to person, generally in the

Western society I see the following four problems:

1. Unhappiness

2. Health issues (in the majority of cases this is a weight

problem)

3. Money problems

4. Relationship problems

I live in Australia, a nation of 20 million people, in which 1

million are currently reported to be on anti-depressants. With

such horrendous figures, why has no-one taught us “basic

happiness skills”?

When one in two marriages lead to divorce, why are we not

taught “basic relationship skills”?

When greater than 50% of people are considered overweight, with

obesity rates continuing to rise, why are we not taught “basic

health skills”?

With less than 5% of people at retirement age being considered

wealthy, and with increasing financial pressure on families,

why are we never taught “basic personal finance”?

Who is responsible for teaching us these things? Some people

say it’s our parents. Others say it’s the responsibility of our

school system, or the government, or the church.

Have our parents let us down? Have the schools, and churches

and governments failed us?

Not at all!

The fact is that none of these groups are responsible. It’s up

to us to take responsibility for educating ourselves!

If we wait for our parents to provide us with the answer, we

will be disappointed. If they knew the answers, then they would

have already taught us. Most likely they never sought the

answers themselves, and instead waited for their own parents,

or the school, church, or the government to provide the

answers.

If we are to rely on the school system, or the government, or

the church, then we’ll be waiting a long time. They have

another agenda.

So what can we do about it? Assuming we don’t wish to just

ignore the problem, there are two ways to approach the

situation. One is directly and the other indirectly.

The direct approach is to try to change the agenda of the

government, the schools, or your church, through the currently

existing political process, or via protest or petition. This is

a difficult path, as it involves trying to persuade others to

our way of thinking.

The indirect approach is much easier. We accept full

responsibility for our own happiness, our own health, our own

wealth, and our own relationships. We rely on no-one else, but

rather seek our own truth. We aim to be the best example we can

be. We aim for constant and never ending personal improvement.

We do not try to persuade or force anyone else to our way of

thinking, but rather we are simply willing to share our

knowledge with anyone who wants to listen. Others will see our

example, and they will learn from us. The world will change.

One person at a time!

This is the path that I have chosen.

I have taken it upon myself to learn what makes me happy.

I have taken full responsibility for learning how to build a

strong, healthy relationship.

I have taken full responsibility for learning how to live a

long, healthy life.

I have taken full responsibility for learning how to become

independently wealthy.

I have taken responsibility for being the best example I can to

my children, and for passing my knowledge on to them. I accept

though that I cannot make them learn. They will simply see my

example, and then judge for themselves.

And I have taken full responsibility for sharing what I learn

with whoever will listen.

So, if you don’t have all the answers to health, wealth,

happiness and great relationships, then consider accepting

responsibility for finding them yourself.

Would you rather be happy or unhappy? Would you rather be

wealthy or poor? Would you rather be healthy or unhealthy?

Would you rather be in a good relationship, or a bad

relationship? It’s your choice. No-one else is going to decide

for you.

If you’d rather have the good stuff in life then accept full

responsibility, find your own answers, and live as an example

to the world.

That is the easiest way to solve all of life’s problems.

Stop waiting for someone else to save you. Save yourself!

And indirectly, you’ll also save the world! One person at a

time!