Most of what we've been taught about how to be happy, how to be successful, how to get what we want was well intended ? but wrong.
We've been told that we have to work hard to succeed and when we're a success we'll be happy. Maybe that's true ? if we're clear about what we need to be happy. Too many of us have been misled by well-meaning parents, teachers, spouses and employers to believe that success means big houses, fancy cars, luxury vacations and bulging bank accounts.
Few would disagree that those are our society's measure of success and nice to have, but too often they don't bring happiness. Instead, they often lead to addictions, illnesses, wounded children and divorce, which can lead to unhappiness, loneliness and financial woes.
The good news is that you can change your thinking and change your life. I know, because I did.
I was a workaholic for most of my adult life until breast cancer forced me to slow down and take a look at the messages that had driven me to be so driven. I remembered an experience I'd had years before, when I went to a hypnotherapist and, in trance, was more relaxed than I'd ever been in my life.
"What would you have to do to feel like this all the time," he asked. And I knew immediately. I'd have to let go of being so attached to the way things turned out. What was I attached to? Everything!
I was attached to people saying and doing certain things (even in the past, so I kept rehashing old dialogs so I'd get to say what I hadn't said then), I was attached to my saying and doing certain things. I was attached to motorists being courteous, check-out clerks being efficient, my clients buying lots of product, my boss being able to lead, my neighbors being quiet? well, you get the picture.
On the way home I asked myself, what if I let go of my attachments to outcomes? What if I turned what I wanted into a goal, instead?
I discovered it was easy to tell the difference. I could work hard to reach a goal and if I didn't make it I was okay. I'd learn from the experience and try again. When I was attached, not getting what I wanted, or even thinking I might not get it would trigger a wash of an unpleasant emotion ? anger, fear, anxiety, stress, doubt, frustration, victimization, etc. Whenever I recognized I was attached, I'd ask myself: just this once, can I let go of my attachment to this? Can I turn it into a goal, instead? Almost always, the answer was yes.
The advantage to having goals instead of attachments is that you can reasonably work toward having what you want without being so stressed and stressing that you lose your health or your family. You can let go of your attachments to living life the way society tells you you "should," and discover what truly makes you happy.
You don't have to have breast cancer (other cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc.) to learn what I learned. Practice letting go of your attachments to outcomes, change your thinking and you will change your life.
Karin Ireland, author of the award-winning Learning to Trust Myself: Lessons From Cancer and Other Life Dilemmas and 10 Practices That Will Bring You Peace, Confidence and Success: The Workbook is a popular speaker, workshop leader, and personal coach. Visit her at http://www.irelandcommunications.com
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareChange your attitude, change your lifeIn my experiences, I've found... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
I encountered several interesting people that really taught me something.... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
Are you driving under the influence of impaired emotions?Dateline: December... Read More
There is a growing volume of research that shows' staying... Read More
I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More
Many people who suffer from low self-esteem would give anything... Read More
Gail's StoryGail is a friend of mine and she was... Read More
When I teach private Yoga sessions, sometimes, I become aware... Read More
No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More
The surge of emotions.During the middle ages, the court jester... Read More
There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More
There are always explanations for why things to you or... Read More
The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More
Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After... Read More
The most dangerous thing is illusion. ~ Ralph Waldo EmersonFailure... Read More
Imagine what your life would be like if you could... Read More
Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More
1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design.... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More
You've probably heard this idea at one time or another.... Read More
One of things that Charismatic people share is an unshakeable... Read More
Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More
Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More
"You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine You Make Me... Read More
The only thing between you and your desire to be... Read More
A balanced life not only leaves you feeling more fulfilled;... Read More
Keep focusing on the fullness of your life: Keep remembering... Read More
Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More
For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
It really doesn't matter what your objectives are in this... Read More
Whether it's the other kids making fun of you at... Read More
One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
It took me a long time to realise the benefits... Read More
It has been said that CHANGE is THE only constant.... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |