There's a lot of talk today about the price of oil. Since late last summer, the cost of oil has skyrocketed to record prices. But that's not the real energy crisis.

The real energy crisis is not in the price of oil. It is in the price millions of people pay every day for worrying. Yes, worrying! How much energy do people expend day after day worrying about things that are out of their control? How much energy is wasted over things that might not even happen?

Worry, frustration and fear are draining many people of energy that could be used to bring success into their lives. It is counterproductive and often manifests itself through physical illness. Have you ever heard the phrase, "I'm worried sick?" It is true.

How many people have worried and worried about something that never happened? How much mental energy is wasted every single day because of worries and fears? What if that energy was directed to positive and productive solutions?

Beside all the negatives that we hear and see every day on the news reports, almost everywhere you go you hear negative talkers. Some predict economic disaster. Others forecast nothing but gloom and doom on the horizon. Still others, who are depressed with all the news, see only the worst and then proceed to extinguish any hope in all those around them.

Their chatter produces nothing but worry, anxiety, and fear. Even when faced with something good, they usually reply with, "Well it probably won't last." It is very unpleasant to be around all those grumblers when you don't want to live that way!

People who are positive, cheerful, hopeful, content with today and excited about the possibilities of tomorrow, are the kind of people who truly inspire others. Those are the kind of people I want to be around.

You know what? I woke up this morning! I am alive! If you are reading this, then so are you! I have another day to live! So do you! We have once again been given the precious gift of life!

I woke up this morning and my house was still standing! All my belongings are still here. The birds are singing beautiful songs as I walk outside. The grass is growing and the roses are blooming. Everywhere I look, I see signs of life, growth and abundance! I woke up this morning still living in a free country! And, regardless of what the price of oil is today, I still have the freedom to pursue happiness. Pursue it! That does not indicate entitlement, but rather a choice on my part. It is my choice! I can pursue my own happiness.

Happiness for me is how I define it. Happiness for you is how you define it. You and I can both choose to pursue our own happiness. I can waste energy by choosing to look at all the "bad news," or, I can focus my energy and thoughts on where I want my life to go, regardless of what's going on around me. I choose to focus on and pursue the possibilities.

We were not put here on this earth to live a life of misery, worried sick every day. However, that is how some choose to live. That is their choice. Those are the thoughts that they have decided to think and they will reap the results of those thoughts.

The Creator never intended for us to be negative and depressed. But one can choose to complain about everything in their life and then scan the sky for clouds that are not there. That is their choice. Those are the thoughts that they have decided to think and they will reap the results of those thoughts.

Instead, why not choose to be grateful for what you have and consistently refuse to be discouraged regardless of the price of oil or the price of anything else! You can look for solutions and possibilities. You can anticipate and expect His blessings in your life, for those blessings have nothing to do with the price of oil.

Choosing to expect His blessings is also a choice. Those are thoughts that you can decide to think and you will reap the results of those thoughts.