Philosophy is a bit of a moving target, if you have to add in low self esteem, depression, and a history of being a loser.In theory you can start each day with a blank sheet of paper, but few of us ever do. Mostly we go on making the same mistakes. This is because we are human.
What's your issue then boshraver? Perhaps we can help.
In Raymond Holliwell’s book Working With The Law, the author suggests that our problems are mental in nature. They have no existence outside of themselves and it has been discovered that nearly all will yield up their solutions when subjected to a broad and exact analysis. Holliwell went on to suggest that you and I should have good and sound reasons for all of the views we hold. As we try to find these, many of our old time views will fall to pieces. We should form clear and definite ideas regarding our convictions as to why we do as we do, and as to why we think as we think. That is excellent advice.
Another author said essentially the same thing when he said, It ain’t what a person don’t know that hurts them, it’s what they know that ain’t so that hurts them. So true. More than 50% of people under 50 years of age believed that money and their jobs were the cause of their problems.
Those people should definitely follow Holliwell’s advice and examine their beliefs. They could eliminate much of their stress. Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our thoughts, not in things or circumstances. You and I possess the power to change our thoughts. It is our greatest power - the power to choose. If you are feeling stressful, choose to relax. Look at your problems as a stranger might. Then do something about them - NOW!