When was the last time you asked yourself: “Why isn’t my life different?” or said “I’ll be happy when…” How often do so many of us put off happiness because of self imposed limitations?
It’s been my experience that most people are unhappy, frustrated and unfulfilled. They “want” more from this thing we call life but aren’t sure how to get it.
According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health*, around twenty six percent of the US population suffers from some form of depression or an anxiety related disorder – and an increasing number of them teens and young children.
What is motivating this discontentment? I believe it is because people feel trapped in their current situations, unmotivated to change and stuck believing an old language that is full of negativity. A language of “you can’t,” “you shouldn’t” and “that’s not right for someone like you.”
It’s that language of old, lifelong conceptions imposed upon us by family, friends and our cultures that has frozen many of us in fear for so long and kept us resistant to change?
Well no more!
We’re learning a new language full of “Yes you can” and “Why not?” We’re now learning to trust ourselves and move forward to a life of being happy no matter what.
It’s quite amazing the impact these lifelong conceptions or languages can have on us. Often times these “languages” conveyed on us from birth don’t seem to fit who we really are. Perhaps they convey and idea or custom of an old world or culture that we no longer live or believe in. These languages can end up like chains around our ankles – dragging us down.
As a physician I often see peoples attempt at a solution to these languages play out in the acquisition of material possessions, strivings for a high position at the office or by individuals surrounding themselves with people of high society to make themselves feel better. All this is in an effort to prove to others that they have made something of themselves, essentially trying to escaping the label placed upon them by the “language.”
I actually believe the solution to escaping these languages and learning a new language for life is making a commitment to be happy, fulfilled and content no matter what life throws at you. I have found this new awareness and this new way of living to be exhilarating, freeing and empowering. Because when you change your views of yourself it changes your language. Instead of feeling trapped with the phrase of “I can’t” you are empowered with the idea of “I can” and “I am capable.” Essentially… you are in control of your own destiny.
But first have you identified your birth language? Do you know what’s been holding you back from happiness? Learning and identifying our past flaws that caused our failure is crucial for our success because, as in the words of Winston Churchill — “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
*Sources: NIMH http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYDIS_ADULT.shtml http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYDIS_CHILD.shtml
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