Eight Words That Will Improve Your Life

There are eight little words, used in four simple phrases, that can help solve most of the interpersonal problems we encounter every day They can end arguments, settle disputes and even bring peace Sadly, most people are too proud to use them as often as they should, so they continue to suffer from needless strife and turmoil
Two of the four phrases contain two words; two have three words Two words are repeated Before we read on, see if we can put these eight words together into four short phrases that can help bring an end to our conflicts with other people: I, me, you, am, forgive, love, sorry, thankyou. Did we come up with the four phrases that can help bring peace? What are they?
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also we were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15) People with independent or self-reliant attitudes can find it hard to express gratitude They do not like to acknowledge their need for help, and sometimes even resent others’ kindness toward them Parents have often seen their little children exhibit the immature attitude, "I wanted to do it myself!" As adults, we should understand that people need each other, and we should express appreciation for others’ kindnesses We ought to be grateful, even when people care enough to correct us (Proverbs 15:5) The first phrase we should always be ready to use is: "Thank you"
"If we really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ we do well" (James 2:8) In our Western society, it can seem a little weird or uncomfortable to tell someone other than a close family member that he or she is loved Satan has so distorted our view of natural affection and friendship that even in many marriages today, these words are rarely expressed Yet God commands us even to love those who may hate us "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use we and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44) When we show through our actions that we care about another’s welfare, even if we do not speak the words, we are in effect saying: "I love you"
Pride often stops us from expressing remorse People do not like to admit that they are wrong But if we stubbornly deny our mistakes—and fail to apologize to those we have hurt—we will only fortify their resentment "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Proverbs 18:19) One of the best ways to "pour oil on troubled waters" is to say, sincerely: "I am sorry"
We know we are supposed to forgive others, but how often does our pride stop us from realizing our own need for forgiveness? "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits" (Proverbs 16:2) When we think of ourselves as righteous, we are not considering our need to be forgiven "For we all stumble in many things If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2) When we stumble, it takes humility to go to those we have hurt, and to ask them: "Forgive me"
Using these words, when appropriate, is a symptom of Christ living in us "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18) We will improve our relationships when we string together—and use whenever we can—the words that form these phrases: "Thank you," "I love you," "I am sorry," and "Forgive me"
Are we an “if only” person?
For most, failure has become a way of life, a hard habit to break; fueled by our social clime that has given us high expectations, but our social conditioning has given us low morale. It’s a vicious cycle. To be successful, we have to understand that success is basically no more difficult than failure. Simply put it is a different kind of mental programming, to which the subconscious mind is not inherently opposed.
Every failure involves intricate combinations of circumstances? Else why do we miss perfect opportunities, misfire every time we attempt something, avoid meeting the people who can help us on our path of success, dismiss our ideas as useless when they could lead to something worthwhile, and to continually repeat the motions that lead to defeat.
The main reason for failure is that we have already failed, or believe they were unsuccessful in the past. With each new setback the feeling is reinforced and it undermines our self-confidence.
Why have we failed until now? Maybe we wanted to fail — at least on some level, possibly subconsciously. If the success we are entitled to always slips through our fingers, then we need to ask ourselves why we have condemned ourselves to mediocrity. We need to reassure ourselves that even the strongest, most powerful negative programming can be changed quickly and completely.
I have a list of inexhaustible excuses I have heard that thwart our success.
If only it was the good old days.
Every single day this lame excuse is proven wrong. The negativists harp and drone about unemployment, downsizing, and out sourcing, whereas scores of small businesses start and flourish every year. The world is opening to free trade! Give a thought to the movies produced, the books published, and the new opportunities in computers, science and Internet media! Becoming successful is not only possible today; it’s actually easier than it used to be. The entire world is ours to offer our new ideas, products, services, whatever gift we have to give. Success depends far less on outside circumstances than on our mental attitude, our beliefs about us and the world. Worldwide millions become millionaires each year!
If only I was not so young.
There is an old saying: “A youth with a single aim in life arrives early at the harvest.” Youth is more often than not an asset. Lack of experience can be compensated for by boldness, daring, instinct, and originality. History shows that most successful people started out completely inexperienced and learned as they went along. What about Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, who made his first million when he was twenty-three, his first ten million at twenty-four, and his first hundred million at the age of 25.
If only I was not so old.
Age is irrelevant. Our years of experience, even if we have failed, are priceless to us. Work does not kill. Idleness, on the other hand, is often deadly; people who take early retirement often die younger than those who keep working. Napoleon Hill’s survey of the wealthy showed that many successful people don’t reach their goals until midlife and beyond. It could be that this is the time of reaping the benefits of a series of earlier efforts. The fact remains that many people begin a second or third career, sometimes the most successful of all, late in life.
If only I had the capital.
Capital is not necessarily essential when we start out. A good creative idea or business idea and a positive mental outlook are essential. Each one of us has been blessed with at least one talent, one passion, one hobby that can become profitable if applied correctly. Contrary to popular belief, there is no shortage of money in the world. The money for launching ideas and furthering good in our world is always available. Poverty as a tradition is a way of life for far too many, like an inherited trait, passed down from generation to generation. The thought that one day they can become rich is unimaginable. The image we get of ourselves and of life in general is often tinged with hopelessness and pessimism, and the role models that surround us are not always very inspiring. There are exceptions though like Charles Chaplin, one of history’s wealthiest actors who spent his youth in poverty. The humiliations of poverty and early contact with life’s harsh realities have in many cases spurred people on to great achievement.
If only I was educated.
Ah well, don’t we have many an example of High School dropouts? Thomas Edison left school before the age of sixteen. Microsoft’s Bill Gates is a college dropout. Even though many successful people weren’t educated in the formal sense, they did acquire an in-depth knowledge of the industry in which they made their fortunes.
If only I had any special talent.
We talk ourselves into believing that we lack an inborn talent or what it takes to change our lives. We go to great lengths to justify our lack of success. But in reality, everyone in the world has some talent, some kind of gift. Once we discover our own unique gift, it becomes our purpose to develop it, and doing so leads to our success.
If only I have the energy it takes.
Every action we take requires some level of energy, especially mental or psychic energy. Low vitality inevitably breeds low motivation, another inescapable vicious cycle. All it takes is a tiny spark to ignite the resources of energy that lie dormant within us. The potential energy we all have is enormous. In many people, it is dormant, waiting to be activated. Reflect on the energy we have and how time flies when we are involved in our favorite project. When we do what truly interests and motivates us, the energy flows easily and effortlessly.
If only I was not afraid of failure.
We take birth with the fear of falling and loud noises. All other fears are acquired. But rather unfortunately the fear of failure is powerful and widespread. Often paralyzing and deeply embedded within us, as resultant of our past failures, from lack of confidence, and general negative, short-sighted thinking.
If only my boss would notice me.
If only I could come up with a good idea.
If only I had had more talent, ability, time, money, or luck.
If only I had been born in different circumstances, or under another astrological sign. Sounds familiar?
If we have never tried anything, chances are we will never fail. But then, we are not likely to succeed either. Success is not a miracle. It is always the result of concrete action and a positive mental attitude. I am not advocating failure, but I know through experience that every personal defeat can be an education in itself, at least if it is accepted with an open mind.