Consciously create the stories we tell ourselves

Consciously create the stories we tell ourselves. If the story makes you feel badly, change it.

How to spot a story:
Check how you are feeling. Thoughts are followed quickly by an emotional reaction to them.
Ex. I feel trapped. (What are you telling yourself that leaves you in a bind. Either you must do this or you must do that. What beliefs do you have about what you "must" do?)
Ex. If you get angry. (What are you telling yourself to get that reaction? They were disrespectful. What do you make of that? They don't value me. Or.... you don't feel valued, but that is not coming from outside of you.)

After spotting a story, you can bring your intellect on-board to help you devise another way to think about the situation. Taking back conscious control of your thoughts helps you create a life where you have some say. You spend less time reacting, spinning, and being in the throws of it.

For more check out: Change your Thoughts, Change Your Life: The Wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer