Page 35 - Silverlakes December 2021

TODAY’S CHILD

negatively by others. This is not necessarily The only person you need to compare Stop thinking and just be. Over-analysing
a reflection of your failings; rather, it is a yourself to is the person you were yesterday. each and every situation does not add
reflection of where the others are coming The goal is to improve on yourself each value, it often compounds the problem.
from. People who have been previously hurt and every day. Be kinder, be nicer and
in life respond from a position of hurt and happiness will follow. Each opportunity we Acts of kindness
defence. These types of people often behave have in life affords us a chance to measure By encouraging acts of kindness, we allow
in the only way they know how: by hurting or ourselves against our own potential. ourselves to demonstrate kindness to others
manipulating others. – and to experience kindness ourselves.
Time heals almost everything
Recognising this can help you become a “Give it time” – this old adage remains true. Smile – you don’t own all the
little more compassionate towards others, In time, bad things get better. In time, hurts problems in the world
so you worry less about what others think heal. Therefore, when you are faced with We all have enough baggage to carry, so we
of you. However, we need to be cautious any issues or problems, allow the proverbial really do not need to add to it. Leave the
as it is easy to blame others for our own dust to settle first before engaging in your responsibility and accountability of other
failings. Therefore, this takes introspection counter-move. people’s problems to them.
and honesty.
By allowing for some time to pass, you will Believe big
The only person in charge of your gain insight into the fact that your initial Life is as wonderful as you make it, so why
happiness is you knee-jerk reaction may have compounded not believe big!
We tend to devalue happiness by not the problematic situation further – whereas
prioritising happiness. People forget about pausing allowed for more positive and It is important to be an enthusiast in life. If
happiness as they go about their daily lives. productive outcomes. Therefore, always you are interested in something, no matter
We forget to stop and smell the proverbial practise the pause. how big or how small, go for it at full speed.
roses. We forget to take time out for little Embrace it with a passion. If happiness is
pleasures – for instance, even as we see our Stop thinking so much what you want to believe big about, then
child overcoming their fears on the sports It is all right not to know all the answers. go for it! Lukewarm is not good enough –
field, we instead focus on the fact that he/ We overthink everything in life, from dinner you need to commit to fighting each and
she did not make the team. choices to the friends our children have. every day for the happiness you seek.

We chase superiority. We want to be better
than others at something. This leads to
social comparisons or the tendency to judge
yourself relative to others, typically with
regard to wealth, power, attractiveness and
fame. These all rob happiness from every
situation.

We need to realise that we only have
control over ourselves and our own actions.
Leave others to be in control of themselves o Marital, Couples & Family Therapy
and their behaviour. To do this we need to o Counselling Children, Adolescents & Adults
learn to develop an internal control over o “Teen” Challenges
our happiness. We need to be aware that
o Behavioural & Adjustment Challenges
we create our own happiness.
o Stress-Related Challenges
Do not compare your life to others; o Adjustment to Depression & Anxiety
comparison is the thief of joy o Subject & Career Psychometric Testing
There is no need to compare yourself to
others or to compare your children to For an appointment please call
other children, or your marriage to another
marriage. By learning to live in the moment 083 3761995
and enjoying the time you have with your Fees are charged according to Scale of Benefits
children, your spouse and your friends, you
Practice Address: 27 Fish Eagle Street, Silver lakes, Pretoria
will discover that any form of comparison Pr. Nr. 0860000114022 | Reg. No.: PS 0080543
is unhealthy.

INTRAMUROS DECEMBER 2021 | 33