Most of Your Unhappiness in Life is Due to...

I want to share with you today one of those great moments, when you suddenly experience a life changing burst of clarity. When suddenly the answer you're searching for becomes so obvious ? it's right there in front of you, and all you can say is "Wow! Why didn't I realise that before?"

This was the first of several moments of awakening for me, following my breakdown in early January 2005. It happened when I heard the following quote, by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones from his book "Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure":

"Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself."

Wow!

I'm not sure what effect this just had on you? Perhaps you've heard this idea before. But for me this was life-changing. Although only a part of the puzzle, it was a major part, and it was an exciting moment.

Let's look at what it means.

The first part states, "Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself".

Would you let someone else tell you that you're no good, that you're not worthy? You're too fat! You can't do it. You always stuff up. You're too old. You're too young.

Firstly, what right do they had to make your decisions for you, and secondly, do their comments empower or disempower you?

You wouldn't listen to them, would you? So then why are you listening to your thoughts?

Another person's thoughts do NOT define who you are. And similarly, your thoughts do NOT define who you are. They do NOT define reality. You are NOT your thoughts, and you do NOT have to agree with them.

This is empowerment.

If you have not heard this concept before, try listening to your thoughts for a couple of days. Write them down, and I think you'll be incredibly surprised at how negative they actually are.

So what's the answer? Well it's quite simple. As the quote says, talk to yourself.

When you find yourself with unwanted feelings, perhaps anxiety, fear, or jealousy, step back and observe your mind because you'll always find negative thoughts.

Don't listen to them. Talk to yourself, and replace them with what you want to hear. Something that empowers you! There is only room for one thought at a time, so why don't you be the one to decide what that thought will be.

So for example, if your mind is saying "She'll never go out with me. I'm a loser. She'll just laugh", why not replace that with "She'll be lucky to go out with me, because I'm a nice guy. And if she's not interested, at least I'll know, and my confidence will be boosted so much because this time I had the courage to ask."

Next time your mind says, "I knew I couldn't stick to that diet. I'm going to be fat forever", why not replace it with "Well, I slipped up a little, but I'm making good progress on this diet. Let's keep going, because I'm looking better and better everyday."

Try it. Yes, in the beginning it's harder than it sounds because you're dealing with a massive tide of negativity, but I promise it gets easier the more you do it. And in time, it will be automatic ? your subconscious will be trained to give you positive thoughts rather than negative.

If you catch a negative thought, replace it with a positive. This is your life! Make sure you're the one in control. Live life to its fullest. Love life, and BE HAPPY!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright Lance Beggs. All Rights Reserved.

You have permission to publish this article within your ezine, website or blog, free of charge, provided:

1. No changes are made.
2. The Resource Box is included.
3. Any links remain intact.

A courtesy copy sent to articles@howtobehappynow.com would be appreciated.

---------------------------------------------------

Lance Beggs is the author of the "How to be Happy Now" newsletter. His mission is to help others live a life of meaning, love & happiness!

Subscribe to his FREE Mini-Course & ezine at http://www.HowToBeHappyNow.com

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:48:44 GMT IBM's cloud initiative repackages its familiar offerings - InfoWorld eFluxMedia IBM's cloud initiative repackages its familiar offerings InfoWorld - 1 hour ago By Ephraim Schwartz Mixing together a mélange of services, software and marketing, IBM's announcement this week of its Cloud Services Initiative is about putting an organizing construct around all of its cloud offerings, according to one IBM executive. IBM Puts More Tools in the InternetNews.com IBM unveils cloud computing offerings TG Daily CNNMoney.com - eWeek - CRN - VNUNet.com all 52 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:22:31 GMT Brooke Burke: Misty May Is ‘Out of’ DWTS - People Magazine United Press International Brooke Burke: Misty May Is ‘Out of’ DWTS People Magazine - 1 hour ago It looks like Dancing with the Stars will be down one competitor when it airs Monday night. Misty May-Treanor, 31, has injured herself and is out of the competition, her castmate Brooke Burke confirms. DWTS: Will Kim Replace Injured Misty? E! Online 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant injured The Associated Press United Press International - News10.net - Baltimore Sun - Reality TV Magazine all 179 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:35:17 GMT Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 - The Associated Press Washington Post Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 The Associated Press - 1 hour ago BOSTON (AP) - Josh Beckett waited four extra days for a chance to show his postseason brilliance. That shine wore off with his very first pitch. Video: Angels, White Sox Each Force a Game 4 AssociatedPress BoSox attempt to finish off Angels and advance to ALCS Sports Network Washington Post - Bleacher Report - FOXSports.com - MLB.com all 3,413 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:41:31 GMT European Researchers Win Nobels for Medicine - Washington Post Washington Post European Researchers Win Nobels for Medicine Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Rob Stein Two French researchers were awarded a Nobel Prize today for discovering the AIDS virus, bypassing an American researcher who played a key role in the discovery. Nobel is postscript to bitter 1980s HIV dispute The Associated Press Three Europeans Win the 2008 Nobel for Medicine New York Times Los Angeles Times - MSNBC - Chemical & Engineering News - Daily Mail all 843 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:12:15 GMT Hamsters, turtles and other exotic pets can pose danger to kids - New York Daily News AFP Hamsters, turtles and other exotic pets can pose danger to kids New York Daily News - 1 hour ago Think that furry little hamster spinning on its wheel in your child’s bedroom is just a cute benign pet? Non-traditional household pets, including hamsters, mice, turtles and monkeys actually pose a health risk to young children, according to a new ... 8 Pets That Pose Major Health Threats to Kids U.S. News & World Report Exotic Pets Pose Health Risk To Children NBC 10.com AFP - eFluxMedia - The Associated Press - Mom Logic all 380 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:20:52 GMT Campaign Attacks Intensify in the Wake of New Ads - Washington Post BBC News Campaign Attacks Intensify in the Wake of New Ads Washington Post - 1 hour ago By William Branigin and Michael Abramowitz The campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain went after Barack Obama again today over his past association with a 1960s radical leader, and the Democratic contender struck back by highlighting ... Video: Palin Defends Terrorist Comment Against Obama AssociatedPress POLITICS-US: Asian Americans Tilt Heavily Toward Obama Inter Press Service The Weekly Standard - Christian Science Monitor - San Francisco Chronicle - The Associated Press all 4,086 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:46:43 GMT What’s Next For OJ Simpson? - WJBF-TV BBC News What’s Next For OJ Simpson? WJBF-TV - 37 minutes ago OJ Simpson is back behind bars, convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery, and 10 other charges. Jury questionnaires, released Saturday, reveal 5 jurors disagreed with Simpson’s 1995 acquittal for murder. Video: OJ Jury: We Didn't Need Witnesses to Convict AssociatedPress Ostler: With a prison term, maybe Simpson can find real killers San Francisco Chronicle The Associated Press - Los Angeles Times - United Press International - New York Times all 3,272 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:11:20 GMT RSS For Web Pages Increase Online Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Top 25 Happiness Quotations

"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a... Read More

Looking In The Eyes Of Happiness

From what you see around you in your daily lives,... Read More

5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks # 4

We are in constant competitionIf we take evolution seriously, then... Read More

7 Surprising Keys to Happiness

Have you ever had one of those days where you... Read More

How To Experience A Richer, Deeper, And Fuller Life

When we choose to move beyond the boundaries of the... Read More

5 Keys to Understanding Why Your Life (probably) Sucks! #2

In Key Reason #1 we looked at how you are... Read More

How to Find True Happiness!

To maintain an unchangeable sweetness of disposition, to think only... Read More

10 Steps to Happily Ever After

Do you know what all happy and healthy marriages have... Read More

Get Out Those Legos

Many of my clients are working harder than smarter. This... Read More

Giving Attention To Happiness

When I left England in 2000 there did not seem... Read More

Keeping You Confident!

We can all be confident when we are sure of... Read More

Love, Uncles, and Etymology

Thwack! . . . Thwack! . . . Thwack! Steven... Read More

The Gift is in the Giving

I have to be honest. I made the woman cashier... Read More

Tap Into Wellness - the Secret Self Help Tool Your Doctor Doesnt Want You To Know About

Everyone has issues with self esteem. It's no wonder then... Read More

The Key To A Problem-Free Life

What comes to your mind when you see someone who... Read More

Can Existential Therapy Give You a Sense of Wellbeing?

My journey to becoming a therapist began with a desire... Read More

Happiness Versus Pleasure

We are a pleasure seeking society. Most of us spend... Read More

Healthy, Wealthy and Happy in 2005

Life is simple. You'd be surprised to know that most... Read More

Got Play?

Passion Love Action You! Playing with your own divinity, spirit,... Read More

Quick Steps On Being Happier

Want to be happier?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and... Read More

Creating Better Relationships

The most important achievements you can ever have in this... Read More

Are You Doing What You Love Each And Every Day?

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day... Read More

There is a Cure for the Summertime Blues

I have never lived anywhere else where when you walk... Read More

See for Yourself : 12 Step Tools Can Bring Happy, Joyous and Free into Everyones Life

We are all familiar with or have heard of the... Read More

The Underestimated Power of Kindness

It was a bright Saturday morning in the late fall.... Read More