You have the power within to move beyond your pains and fears.  Your personal actions and how you react emotionally to life's pressures will determine your success.  Practice the following steps to free your inner beauty and feel happier.
Push your comfort zone so that you grow.  Take reasonable risks in order to live life fully.
Speak out about your experiences with child abuse and neglect.  Use that as a further release of your pain and to encourage others to heal their lives.
Practice the three "R"'s: Respect for self;  Respect for others;  Responsibility for all your actions.
Pick someone you admire as a role model to emulate.  Find out how that person became successful and create a similar path for yourself.
Make a written statement of what you want to achieve.  Break that down into smaller, achievable steps and take the personal actions needed to reach those goals.
Use "positive self talk".  Make reassuring statements within your mind ("I'll be okay" etc) to help you stay on track to your success.
Write an inventory of your positive and negative traits.  Take action on what can be improved.
Live the "Golden Rule".  Do unto others as you would want done unto you.
Make a difference with your life ("reason for being").  Volunteer to help others.
Attend classes on new subjects to keep expanding your mind and experiences.
Attend author lectures at local book stores.  Browse the books and audio tapes for new ways to improve your life.
Once or more each month, go someplace you've never been before.
Get a pet or develop new hobbies to add more happiness to your existence.
Consider joining support groups such as "Co-Dependents Anonymous" (CODA), Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA), Emotions Anonymous and others.
Use Desiderata as a guide to having a more fulfilling life.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant,
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the
face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery
and broken dreams;
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.     Strive to be happy.


--- Max Ehrmann, 1927 ---


Desiderata has inspired several generations to lead happier lives.
I hope it helps you to discover more peace within yourself.
Enjoy the best of life,


Copyright 2004 - Donald Etkes, PH.D, All Rights Reserved Site by Calstyle Web Services