Even Happier

My cousin Mario had a dream: becoming a famous chef.
He was good, he was passionate and he had found a three Michelin starred chef willing to be his mentor.
Nothing was ever to stand in between Mario and his future as king of the haute cuisine!

And then his girlfriend became unexpectedly pregnant. He decided to drop the dream and began working as a salesman of computer parts.

On Christmas he prepared a delicious meal for all of the family. Unexpectedly he was very cheerful. Intrigued, I asked him how did he feel about the recent career change. He replied: "I was always passionate about quality food and very soon I will be selling it as a side business! In the meantime, I am learning a lot about sales and I also have a little free time to enjoy my wonderful baby! “

So how did he manage to turn a potentially saddening career change into a life enhancing one?

Every explanation would fail to grasp same aspects of what happened to Mario, but we can clearly see that the two following “techniques” are unconsciously being used:
Internal Locus of Control (He felt he had choices, he made a decision,
 he did not feel life had chosen for him)
Reframing (After an initial discomfort, he managed to see the glass half full)

Can we consciously use such "techniques" when we wish to do so? How?
More on such topics on future posts.