That House We Call Our Own

Everyone creates a mental house. It is a collection of mental images of where we are, who we live with, what we have done, where we are going, what’s holding us back and where we would rather be.

George Bernard Shaw, Irish-born British dramatist said, “The successful people in this world are those who get up and look for the circumstances they want. And, if they can’t find them, they make them.”

Every major invention, every meaningful breakthrough, and every life enhancing organization was first just an idea - - just a thought - - in some person’s mind.

The first fatal mistake most people make with their new idea is thinking that someone else is more qualified or better positioned to deal with it. That isn’t true. Col. Sanders was dead broke when he got the idea behind Kentucky Fried Chicken and Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s, had to borrow $500 to get his idea off the ground.

Great ideas are no respecters of wealth, education or position. Great ideas - - ways to do something better, faster, or easier - - come to everyone.

The second fatal error made with new ideas is thinking we need to be someplace else before we act, as if our own house wasn’t good enough.

The moment we make up our minds to take action, the universe kicks into gear and additional ideas begin to find us. We are led to look in the right places and fed new questions to ask. The magic that makes this happen is our commitment to act - - which has nothing to do with where we are, what we have or where we have been.

When that next idea arrives, don’t push it aside. Make a commitment to act and dive into the process. You are already exactly where you need to be.

He or she who leaves their own house in search of happiness pursues a shadow.