Dear readers,
Why are so many people unhappy with their lives? The answer is simple:
It’s because they choose to be affected.
As long as what they see, hear and observe is not according to their own liking or preferences, they react. When this happens, unhappy feelings well up inside them – call it frustration, irritation, anger or being offended – it comes in many names but all point to the person being in a state of “being affected”.
Some clients challenge me, “Hey Nancy, are you telling me that you are never, ever unhappy?” Of course not. I can be affected just like anyone. I am human, after all.
However, I advocate having a different outlook on life. I am very, very focused on what I want. By that, I mean that I am focused on what’s important for me. And along the way, if things don’t fit into what’s important for me, although I still get frustrated, but I won’t allow it to eat into me.
Here’s an exercise for you to try:
When something happens to you that you do not like and makes you agitated, drop it emotionally. Use your head to quickly think of a solution or the next steps to take, but do not allow your heart to flood yourself with feelings of self-pity or victimization.
When you don’t have the bad emotions standing in your way, you will find it much easier to choose happiness. Test this new technique this week, leave a comment and tell me how you feel about it!
Have a good week ahead,
Nancy
