So according to Law of Attraction, if we think positively, we can attract positive things to us.

That sounds so simplistic, doesn't it? I had a hard time believing it at first.

For example, that sounds awefully like simply running away from reality. If the reality is tough, then escape into the fantasy land of everything being OK. Well, everytying is not OK and I don't believe in running away from it. (though I admit, taking a break is a good idea) Only after facing the reality you can learn to overcome it. Well, so I thought.

Turns out there is a fundamental difference between escaping the reality and maintaining positive image in the face of difficulty. A very big difference.

Running away is an action based on fear. It's different from taking a break. Running away will not make your fears go away. It may make things feel better for a moment, but the underlying stress remains. Worse, fear and anxiety get bottled up inside and swell up, becoming omnipresent. And guess what? You attract more situations that put you in this state.

Holding onto your positive images in the face of difficulty requires a much higher level of maturity. It requires a complete control of your thoughts.

Think about it. All things in life are neither good nor bad. It's our interpretation that puts that value to it. Even if you're in what seems like a tough situation, if you don't think it's tough, then it's not. No, it's not some kind of mental trick or gimmick. By having a supreme control over what you think and feel, you then obtain the ability to find peace and joy in any circumstance. Victor Frankl was able to do that, apparently, in the most extreme of circumstances -- Nazi concentration camp. Many of us in the modern civilized world are lucky enough not to have to experience that kind of atrocity.

So the key to happiness is in the self-control. By controlilng your thoughts on positive outcomes and your desires in all circumstances, not only do you acuire stability and strength to withstand difficulties in life, but also the ability to attract the things you want -- joy, peace and realization of dreams.

When I think about it, our society is filled with quick fixes that offer escapes from reality. Worse, there are many substances/devices/goods that, in the name of capitalism and profit, have built-in tendency to addict the user into buying more of it. Alcohol, cigarettes, porn, video games, food. These are, once again, neither good nor bad by themselves. If it gives you pleasure without compromising your control, then they may be able to add richness to your life experience. But some of these most certainly won't, because they are designed to compromise your control. They are designed to be a quick and easy escape that hook on you. They make you thirsty instead of quenching it, so that you come back for more.

That's why many religions and cultural traditions warn against them. A sin, in my book, is anything that takes you farther away from God. And by indulging ourselves and letting ourselves lose control, we are trading in long-term joy and happiness in favor of quick, cheap thrill.

A total control is neither rigid nor inflexible. Rather, a person with complete control can bend and flex and come back to original shape. Like rubber instead of rusted steel. That's what gives us strength and stability.

The Law of Attraction kicking in and attracting more joy and happiness is a bonus. But by acquiring control over our thoughts and feelings, we are already most of the way there to being fulfilled and happy -- forever.