Thoughts and emotions

Remember this: The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.

The situation, any situation, is always neutral. It is what is. Your thoughts, on the other hand, are often filled with inaccurate assessments and reactions.

Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the facts of the situation. Instead of making up stories, stay with the facts. For example, “I am ruined” is a story. It limits you and prevents you from taking effective action. “I have fifty cents left in my bank account” is a fact. Facing facts is always empowering. To a large extent, what you think about what is happening around you creates the emotions that you feel. See the link between your thinking and your emotions.

Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.