7 Magic Words to Happiness
7 Magic Words to Happiness
- By Ted Nicholas
There is a definite link between happiness and
success in this sense. The happier you are, the
more successful you are likely to be. In this
issue of The Success Margin I will further
clarify this point.
Are you ready to accept the greatest gift I or
perhaps anyone else has ever given you?
Today, dear reader, I'm going to offer you some
magic words that have the power to change your
life. I know that's an incredible promise. And if
you are skeptical, I wouldn't blame you. But I
can assure you the magic words I will give you, if
used, will bring you a lifetime of happiness. And
nothing less!
First, a brief background.
As long as I can remember I've been intrigued by
the mystery of how to achieve happiness. Some
would even say I've been obsessed by it. Why? I
have always wanted to become a happy, positive
person myself.
What intrigued me was this simple observation.
Nearly everyone I've ever met, including my
friends and family, is sad and unhappy most all
the time. Indeed, the most popular conversation
amongst all people I've been with consists of
complaints and negativity about life.
Think about your own life. I'd bet the truly
happy people you could point to are few and far
between. If you've known more than a handful
of such people, I feel you have been truly blessed.
Individuals who are happy, optimistic, positive
and self-confident are definitely the rarest of
humans.
Does happiness come from achievements? Or
special events in life?
Clearly, happiness does not come from business
success. Material possessions. A certain amount
of money in the bank. A terrific family. Or even
a super romantic relationship.
I know millionaires and billionaires with every
blessing imaginable who are depressed and
unhappy. And a few individuals who have almost
nothing resembling the above who are happy,
content, and optimistic.
You can be miserable in a huge mansion. And
happy in a modest apartment.
What, then, is the secret to happiness?
I've pursued my own happiness with diligence.
I'm going to reveal the most important lessons
I've learned.
I submit that all happiness is a result of our
self-talk. Our internal dialogue is the key.
It's all in the words we use.
It matters not what happens to us in life, but in
the words we use silently to "frame" it in our
minds.
Our emotional state--happiness, depression,
anger, joy, etc.--follows from the words we use
with ourselves.
The subconscious mind, which is many times more
powerful than our conscious mind, gives off
signals which are translated into human emotions.
You may have read the profound poem which
illustrates this point so well:
"Two men looked through prison bars. One saw
the night, and one saw the stars."
We humans can be happy even in a prison, or in
poverty, if we learn how to talk to our
subconscious.
Think for a moment about the incredible
implications.
Of course, I'm not alone in discovering the
amazing power of the silent words we use in
our self-talk.
Numerous studies have been made which link
self-talk with not only our emotions. But also
with measurable physiological effects in our
bodies. Your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle
tension and level of stress are all impacted, or
even controlled by, your self-talk.
Meditation based upon self-talk and its effects on
the body has undergone years of study. So has
the effects of self-hypnosis, also based on the
impact of words upon us.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming has shown us many
of the effects of positive self-talk as well as
the important role of physiology on our emotional
state.
So, while you might rightfully expect this
scribbler to discuss marketing and copywriting on
these pages, I can tell you this.
The most important copy you will ever write is
that which you create and print each day on your
own subconscious.
The words you say silently to yourself as well as
out loud to others result in all your emotions.
I'm going to present you with new alternatives.
New magic words. And other tips which I use in
my own life.
The most powerful phrase I've ever used I
happened to hear a few months ago on the Larry
King T.V. program during his interview with the
comedienne Carol Burnett. Carol was talking
lovingly about her late daughter Carrie. And
what an inspiration she was, even while suffering
from lung and brain cancer. But she lived each
day to the maximum.
She was known for using this seven-word phrase
herself and teaching it to all her friends and
contacts in their self-talk:
"Today I'm going to love my life."
These words impacted me so much. I tried them.
Then I added them to my own favorite self-talk
phrases.
The impact of this very simple phrase has been
astonishing.
Try it yourself right now. Say it silently. And
now say it out loud.
"Today I'm going to love my life."
You will be delighted with how you feel.
Especially when you use these words upon rising.
Even if you are experiencing some frustrations,
disappointments or even tragedies, as we all do in
life, use these words.
You don't even have to believe them when you
say them. Your subconscious will integrate and
use them anyway.
Even if you are experiencing, e.g., unemploy-
ment, business or financial setbacks, a family
crisis, major relationship issues, an IRS audit,
a serious disease or even crippling injury, use
these 7 magic words.
Trust me. You'll be surprised, even over-
whelmed, with the power of these 7 words.
Once again:
"Today I'm going to love my life"
** Other helpful tips **
-- Meditate once or twice a day for 20 minutes.
This powerful exercise will make a huge
difference. A good book on the topic is The
Relaxation Response by Dr. Herbert Benson.
-- Physiology is also important. The experts say
the way you use your body can account for 54%
of your emotions. For some simple-to-follow
instructions, use my affirmation exercises
(available upon request--ask for the "Yes"
exercise). I use these affirmations, which also
include physiology,every day. Especially when
I'm about to perform tasks such as writing copy
or making an important speech.
-- Breathe deeply through your nose, exhale
through your mouth. Do this for at least two
minutes.
-- Walk at least 30-60 minutes 4 times a week.
-- Smile as often as possible. Practice in front
of a mirror. You'll feel better yourself and
will be thrilled and delighted with how much
better all your relationships will be.
-- Avoid negative people. They can wear you
down and cause sadness and depression. Don't
walk away from them. Run!
Spend as much time as possible with positive,
cheerful, enthusiastic people. Happiness is
contagious.
** Common phrases make a big difference to
your emotional state **
The words you say out loud to others also have
as strong an influence on your emotions as your
silent self-talk. Your spoken words have a
cumulative effect on your subconscious.
When you use negative words and phrases they
drag you down as well as the person to whom you
are speaking.
When people ask you how you are, avoid these
common responses:
-- I've been better
-- Not bad
-- Do you really want to know?
-- How much time do you have?
-- Fair to middlin'
-- So-so
-- I'm O.K.
-- Comme ci, comme ca
Often such replies are just bad habits.
So, here is my normal reply and what I
recommend to you.
When people ask, "Ted, how are you?", I say:
"Better and better!"
At first it may feel a bit odd when you say it. But
persevere and it will become a habit.
You are dedicated to the relentless pursuit of
excellence, are you not? You probably wouldn't
be a subscriber to The Success Margin unless you
were.
Achieving happiness is the best example I know
of the one powerful attribute that only humans
possess. Our ability to choose. This attribute
makes us human beings.
Happiness is a choice. And so is misery and
unhappiness. Which do you choose?