Work on other people's happiness

[Guest guest]

Thought: It's my responsibility to make everyone happy about living with me.

1. Is that true? Feels like it.

(What is the reality of it? What are the facts?)

Sometimes some people have been happy, sometimes some people have been

unhappy.

(Whose business is other people's happiness?) Theirs and their highest

good's business.

(Whose business is living with me?) Mine and my highest good.

2. Can I absolutely know this thought is true? No.

3. How do I react when I think that thought?

(How does it feel inside?) I feel worried, sad, hopeless; under a heavy

leaden blanket; my neck and legs cramp up; My brow knots up; if I relax, I

feel anxiety.

(What do I do?) I second-guess everyone's reaction before I do something; I

frown; I figuratively tip-toe around; I get irritated when they complain.

(What's the worst thing that would happen?) Someone would yell at me or move

out. If they moved out, I would have to pay all the rent until a replacement

arrives, and I wouldn't know where the money will come from.

(Reason behind the thought?) The story that I control who comes to live with

me, and if they stay or not.

(Is there a peaceful reason to keep this thought?) NO

4. Who would I be without the thought that it's my responsibility?

It's hard to imagine...but freer, safer, larger, kinder, warmer, lighter;

Someone who's taken care of; Someone with one less thing to worry about.

Content.

TAs:

It's everyone else's responsibility to make themselves happy about living

with me...and they will or they won't.

It's everyone else's responsibility to make themselves UNhappy about living

with me...and they will or they won't.

It's not my responsibility to make anyone feel happy about living with

me...there's no real way to take care of their business for them.

It's my responsibility to make myself happy about living with them...because

it's my business and nobody else's.

It's my responsibility to make myself happy about living with me...it's

nobody else's job.