A simple meditation can be a powerful tool in behavioral modification.

Try this one: 
I am beautiful

I am powerful

I am happy

*Say it nine times and mean it! Then take a deep breath and believe it!

Here is another:

I have all that I need.

Everything is falling into place.

I love my life!

*Repeat twice, slowly, then sit and smile for five whole minutes without thinking about anything else.

What really makes us happy?  A sexy lover and gobs of money?   Wrong! Yes, those things are nice when we have them, but happiness should come from who we are, not what we have.  Life will always change.  Don’t wait for all your wishes to come true.  Be happy now!  It takes a little work for those whose self-sabotaging thoughts are strong, but just keep at it.

Life is a road.  Often we are so worried about getting to the finish line that we forget to stop and smell the flowers.  I’m sure you’ve hear the quote: “Life is a journey, not a destination.”  Whether your journey is more like a smooth sailboat or a wild rollercoaster, if you are not enjoying the ride, then what’s the point?

No one wants to come to your pity party.  With a little focus and concentration you can stop sending those negative messages to your brain.  Sometimes, yes, the *stick* hits the fan.  You lose your job, you are racking up debt, your kid gets suspended, etc…  What are you going to do? Tell all your friends and everyone you talk to about all the problems you have? Get depressed? Do the poor-me dance? Overeat? NO! Try to find something positive that arises out of a negative occurrence.  Is there a better job is waiting for you that you might not have looked for?  Are you learning a valuable lesson from your debt that will help you make better decisions for the next 30 years?  Was this the only way that you were going to be able to get your kids to open up to you?  There is always a silver lining somewhere if you are willing to look for it.

Put things in perspective. You are not that fat!  We usually never use the word “fat”, but say it a hundred times and get over it! YOU are not that fat!! You are not that poor!  (You might be in a little debt, but just be grateful that credit cards exist!) Your life is fantastic and more than a million people in this world would trade shoes with you in a second. Some people don’t even have shoes.  You actually have SO much, that you could even help others with less.  For a shocking, yet powerful video that can help you put things into perspective check out this story about the half-ton man.

Adapt.  Look at our economic crisis now.  It has been said to be the best and the worst time in history.  Yes people are suffering and struggling, but on the same note people are helping each other out more than ever.  People are growing their own vegetables and riding bicycles to work to save gas, actions are finally being made to protect the environment.  Now I’m not saying this crisis is a good thing, but good things are coming out of it.  We all have to learn to adapt to our situations.  Make the catastrophes work for you!  You have the power.

Laugh it off.   When all else fails.  Make a joke about it.  Lighten up and don’t take yourself so seriously.  Things are never as bad as they seem.  Step out of your own shoes for a second and make fun of yourself from your best friend’s point of view. Your life is good!  It is only your attitude that needs to change.