Good Morning,

Yesterday's message was all about you making yourself happy: of getting rid of the stress and finding joy in simple pleasures. 

This is a profound message, in and of itself, because most of us look outside ourselves for happiness.

It may not have occurred to you that you have anything to do with how you are feeling. Someone said something cruel to you and made you feel bad, someone did something to you; an incident occurred... it was all out of your control. Things just happen. Of course you feel bad!

Actually, perhaps these things did occur, BUT you, being at the receiving end, are the one that made the decision to let it “get to you.” No one can “make” you feel anything.

You made me feel bad - this can never happen, you chose to feel bad. You took the insult to heart and it hurt - this is your reaction.  No one has the power to make you feel anything.

You know how some people; usually those related to you- like your parents and/or your siblings, seem to know exactly what to say to get to you? They push your buttons, and you react to it in the same manner each and every time.  What was said struck a chord within you, touched that tender spot full of past hurts and resonated with it; and you reacted with pain. Remember,

only YOU can make yourself happy, or angry, or frustrated...  You are in control; no one can do it for you or to you.

“No one can take advantage of you without your permission”

Eleanor Roosevelt

If you don’t want to feel bad, if you don’t want to react as you always have, then don’t. It is really that simple – once you are aware of what gets you going, once you are conscious of it, you are able to simply change your reaction. It will take a little work, but just by being aware of it, you can alter the future.

“What other people think of you is none of your business”