Recommended Reading: Stop Thinking Start Living – By Richard Carlson
Your past is only a figment of your imagination and so is your future. The only moment that actually exists, that is real, is now.
Your life is not responsible for your happiness or unhappiness – you are.
Happiness is not a result of what happens to us in our lives. It is a moment to moment choice that each of us makes.
Choice points
| Healthy Functioning | Overthinking |
|---|---|
|
Letting Go |
Hanging on |
|
Happiness rather than being right |
Being right is important |
|
Not dwelling on an issue |
Dwelling on an issue |
|
Choosing love and forgiveness |
Choosing anger and fear |
|
It’s OK |
It’s not OK |
|
Seeing the truth and moving on |
Trying to get to them bottom of things |
|
Little analysis or interpretation |
Over analysis |
Live in the present moment. If we spend our time waiting to be happy until a certain set of conditions are in place, when we are richer, when the children grow up, when we can retire then we give u our right to be happy in the present and that somebody may or may not come and even if does it is unlikely to create the feelings we hope! Don’t attach conditions to your contentment – I will be happy when XYZ!
| Healthy Functioning | Overthinking |
|---|---|
|
Living moment to moment |
Living in the past or future |
|
Focus on enjoyment |
Focus on improvement |
|
Mind is clear and free |
Mind is consumed with worry and concern |
|
Happy with what is |
Obsessed with what could be better |
|
Experiencing life |
Analysing life |
|
Learn from mistakes |
Dwell on mistakes |
|
What you can do |
What you can’t do |