Here’s
a recipe for permanent misery...
a) Decide
how you think the WORLD SHOULD be.
b) Make
rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.
Then,when
the world doesn’t obey your rules,get angry!!
That’s
what miserable people do!!
Let’s
say you expect that:
Friends
SHOULD returns favours.
People
SHOULD appreciate you.
Planes
SHOULD arrive on time.
Everyone
SHOULD be honest.
Your
husband SHOULD remember your birthday.
These
expectations may sound reasonable.But often,these things won’t happen.So you
end up frustrated and disappointed.
There’s
are better strategy.Don’t heve so many demands.Instead,have preferences!
For
things that are beyond your control,tell yourself:
“I
WOULD PREFER “A”, BUT IF “B” HAPPENS, IT’S OK TOO!”
This
is really a game that you play in your head.
But
if you make the game a habit,you have more peace of mind...
You
prefer that people are polite...
But
when they are rude,its doesn’t ruin your day.
You
prefer sunshine...but rain is OK!!
In
other words,you practise flexibility.
To
become happier,we need to either a) change the world,or b) change our
thinking.It is easier to change our thinking.
IN A NUTSHELL
It’s not what happen to you that determines your
happiness.It’s how you think about what happens to you.
Nota kaki: Sangat praktikal!!
By:Andrew Matthews
