The Principle of Feelings

I am reading again a book called YOU CAN BE HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT  by Richard Carlson, PH.D.  You have probably read his book DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.  In this chapter I am reading it talks about our feelings, this is what he says... "You have at your disposal a foolproof guidance system to navigate you through life. This system , which consists solely of your feelings, lets you know when you are off track and headed toward unhappiness and conflict, away from healthy psychological functioning. Your feelings act as a barometer, letting you know what your internal weather is like.

We recognize the powerful connection between our own thinking and our experience of life.  When we think, we immediately feel the effects of our thoughts.  It happens in an instant and, for most of us, without awareness that it is happening"

I could go on but I will let you read the book yourself if you like. I just think it is vital for all of us to learn to be in control of our thoughts. In counseling, when someone continues to get depressed and can't feel much happiness at all... we call that a DOWNWARD SPIRAL, one that you really need to get a handle on, before you can't see the forest for the trees. I love the quote..."YOU ARE ONLY ONE THOUGHT AWAY FROM A GOOD FEELING" _____Sheila Krystal

I am so glad to know that our thinking is not REALITY, but only an attempt to interpret a given situation. I think this is vital to understand we can control our thoughts and learn to be happy. This is especially vital  for women, who touch lots of lives and hearts. I have to work on this principle every day to take a look at my thoughts and  how I am feeling. I like knowing I am in control, sometimes it feels like I don't have control over how I am thinking but ...I DO!

And sometimes on those occasions that I can't get control  like I want or need it, I am grateful for a Counselor that helps me puts things back into focus. I know that for some, to go to counseling is seen as a sign of weakness, but not for me...I see it as "I AM STUCK" and I need someone to help give me the tools or remind me of the tools I have, to get UN- STUCK, so I can truly enjoy every minute of my life.

So my thought or quote for today is... by Abraham Lincoln "PEOPLE ARE JUST ABOUT AS HAPPY AS THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS TO BE."

The last part of this book says...'IF YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING THINGS LIKE, "I'LL BE HAPPY WHEN," YOU ARE MISSING OUT.  HAPPINESS HAPPENS WHENEVER YOU TAP INTO YOUR OWN NATURALLY HEALTHY PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING. YOU CAN BE HAPPY RIGHT HERE , RIGHT NOW, IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO."

So I hope you have a great day and just THINK ABOUT IT!