Page 31 - Tree of Happiness

As we say in the Cosmos Speaks section, "The Princess becomes even more upset when she becomes the Queen." We should not assume that our childern will learn better coping skills just because they get older.
By the same token, as parents we should not "protect" our children from the consequences of their Stinky Thinking. The "Wizard" may have introduced the "Stinky Beliefs" but the Princess/ Queen maintained them and caused her own "Thumbs Down" behavior.
Be careful that you do not allow your child to develop the mistaken belief that their happiness is dependent on others or things. They will ask, beg and threaten so that they can get into their personal “tree of happiness.” Once again we point out that this is very common and is typical human behavior. There is a great temptation (as a parent) to assume the role of an elf and provide the “key.” The role of elf is very seductive and has its rewards. But it reinforces your child's irrational beliefs and can set them up to believe that they can never be happy without..."a man/woman in my life" or something (a possesion, substance) to make them happy.
One of the most difficult skills for any of us to develop is confidence in our own decisions. How often have you heard "I really wanted to do... but then I let... talk me out of it. In our story the new Queen presents her Road idea to her advisors.
Her Advisors think that this is a terrible idea and threaten to quit or overthrow her if she goes through with the plan. At that point most of us would have quit the Road Plan because we are overly concerned with the opinion of others. But in our story, the Queen is able to keep in mind what the Elf had told her and is firm. She overrules her advisors and starts the road.
The road is difficult and expensive to build but the Queen sticks with the task. This is how life is in reality. The ability to "see a task through" to "deal with fustrations and setback" are the qualities of successful adults. Our Queen is able to have these qulities because she focuses on the future and upon its completion, she is praised by the workers and is proud of the “Queens Road .” She does not linger however and announces that there is another project that they must start.
28