Happiness: It's Your Choice : The Skill Development Theory for Successful Change

Applegate teaches that our actions and feelings are driven by our thoughts, beliefs and perceptions. When our thinking changes, so does our actions and feelings - it's kind of like a computer really. How many times have you thought that the boss was being a jerk? Your perception is that he is being a jerk, so your actions may to be cuss him under your breath or flame him with a co-worker - you feel resentment, hurt, anger. Then, what if you found out that his monther just died last night? Now you have a different perception and as a result, feel differently. When our actions don't match our thinking, our feelings are in tumoil. My belief is that should always tell the truth, so when I lie, I feel guilty. Our thoughts, beliefs and perceptions are shaped by many things such as experiences, childhood teaching, etc. But this just a tiny tip of the iceberg that Skill development offers.