The "Happy" Test

* Do you find it hard to set goals for yourself?
* Does the future seem bleak?
* Do you prefer being alone?
* Do you have few hobbies?
* Do you dwell on the past?
* Do you rely on alcohol, caffeine and sugary snacks for a "lift"?
* Are you a pessimist?
* Would you like to change your looks or personality?
* Do you dislike your job?
* Are you in a bad relationship?

Count up your "yes" answers.

Score: 0
You are fortunate - you love life.

Score 1 - 3
Your life looks pretty good. You still need to make a little extra effort.

Score 4 - 7
Good start. You also need to do more to fulfil your happiness potential.

Score 8 - 10
You are generally unhappy. Reassess your life and lifestyle. Consider visiting with a counsellor. Gradually reverse your negative thinking processes.

Some things you might like to work with every day:

Accept yourself as you are.
Celebrate the good things about yourself.
Share some good news every day.
Look for good things in others around you.
Convert negative thoughts - reword them into positive sentiments.
Surround yourself with the colours: orange, turquoise, green, violet - these colours enhance your mood when you need an attitude -lift.
Exercise aerobically for at least 30 minutes every other day - trigger the release of your body's feel-good chemicals and endorphins.
Set yourself attainable goals. Reach them. Keep your aims small to begin with.
Dance more. Move your body more - to music!
Avoid eating sugary snacks - they give you an instant boost and then your body plummets lower than you were to begin with.
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole foods.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Sleep enough most nights.

Emotionally-skillful people thrive and have better relationships.
Contented people have a more fulfilling life.
Happy people enjoy their work more.
Cheerful people find more joy in their every-day life.

Become more optimistic and positive.
Apply more of these success-disciplines in your life.
Improve your general outlook on life - your life.

"Out of small persistent daily efforts proceeds great annual progress..."

Western Times - April 1999

Alcoholics, Addicts, Anorexics and Bulimics

"Alcoholicas and addicts tend to live long and miserable lives making those around them miserable. Anorexics and bulimics die young, they die hard."
Joanie - Guest on Dr Phil show

Success

"With every level of success there is a degree of failure."
Dr Phil

Emotions and Responsibilities

"Escape your emotions and you escape your responsibilities. Breathe. Think about your own emotions. 'My pain in my past is a motivator for today. Develop new and healthier passions.'"
Jason - ex drug addict - Oprah show

If You Are Serious...

"If you are serious about this (addiction) you programme your life for success!"
Dr Phil

Guilt, Shame and Fear

"Guilt shame and fear do a war dance together that leaves us with anxiety and feelings of emptiness, incompleteness and hopelessness... Because of fear we run from looking within ourselves, and we begin to look to people, places, activities and possessions for our happiness. It is... this extreme search for peace of mind... that pushes us towards our first steps in addiction."
- Lee Jampolsky "Healing the Addictive Mind" p9