What do the following have in common?  “The Devil made me do it!”  Thank God I got that promotion!”  Or perhaps, “If only we could move to the country, then we would be happy.” 

They all give credit, blame or control to someone or something outside ourselves.  The devil doesn’t make anybody do anything; people choose to do things.  God doesn’t whisper in employer’s ears, advising on who should get promotions.  Why would a change of scenery make life any happier?  Happiness lies in the confidence not only that you control your own destiny, but that you can achieve whatever you want or overcome whatever adversity faces you.  If you are unhappy where you are, going somewhere else just changes the view–not the reality.  This is a small glimpse of the value of a Buddhist perspective on life.  More to come.