Top 10 Ways to Be Happy – Take Your Own Good Advice | Jack Elias: Author, Trainer

Last week I made an error in judgment that I thought would have a significant negative impact our my finances. Right away the stress started: I got annoyed with myself and my inner dialogue became very strident.

Ironically, I discovered my mistake while researching some of my own past newsletters. In the midst of gritting my teeth (not good for you) I kept trying to work. So I opened one of my old newsletters and read the following:

“Perception doesn’t cause anything! It is just raw data. For example, receiving a pink slip, or perceiving the imagination that you are about to, doesn’t cause anything. In other words, you do not have to feel afraid. Fear isn’t caused by perception of an outer event (the pink slip) or by an inner event (thoughts and imaginations).

Hmm, there might be something to this! The post continued,

“Fear is caused when you move from perception to imagination of some consequence (thinking things will only get worse). But the fear and stress really takes root when you go from there to conviction that you can’t handle the consequence and nothing good can come of it (you’re screwed!).”

And then, the tour de force:

“Instead of choosing fearful thinking and imagining, you have a choice. You can instead imagine you are someone lovable and valuable. You’re kind, so you’ll stand by and encourage yourself while you imagine the constructive action you can take to deal with the issue. No put-downs, and no complaining, which is just a put-down in disguise! How is complaining a put-down? In order to complain, first you have to judge yourself. A complaint starts with thinking you’re not good enough or smart enough to handle the challenge.”

Humble pie moment! I apologized to myself, stopped my stress inducing thinking and made the effort to to befriend myself. In that moment I realized it was a good time for me to . . .

#7. Take Your Own Good Advice

Remember to take your own good advice and befriend yourself when you stumble.

Sometimes just taking a break is a good start on being kind to yourself. For example, the mantra “Om” has been chanted for centuries for its calming, protective and uplifting qualities.

To more easily experience your natural contentment and compassion, I recommend this Finding True Magic audio: Becoming Fearless and Compassionate.

May all beings be happy and free! May our compassion for all beings, ourselves included, continue to increase.