Many people struggle these days with their emotions. Therapists are busy, rehabs are full, and drug dealers are thriving. Why such difficulty with living life on life's terms these days some may ask? It's a very good question indeed. More important than the answer to this question is what can be done about it. I will say that I believe that in this rat race we call life people have lost touch with the spiritual aspect of life in their quest to achieve and receive. Most people are too concerned these days with what they can collect monetarily in their short life and have forgotten about the things that really matter. Things like honesty, integrity, brotherly love, humility, are replaced with the long hours at work, the missed holidays, the new car, and other fancy stuff. It's really too bad, because if more people took the time to slow down and just appreciate what they actually do have rather than focus their energies on obtaining what they don't have, they'd be a lot happier.

And so, here are a few suggestions that I have come across that I believe can help you be happier, more content, and fulfilled.

1. Live in the moment, live for today. This does not mean that we don't make plans for the future, it simply suggests you take the time to remember the old saying: If you have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow, you're pissing all over today. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, but we will never have this moment again - so enjoy it while it's here!

2. Expectations are premeditated resentments! Again, it's ok to have expectations of others but do a reality check to see if they are realistic. If not you will be sure to be disappointed. The less we expect of others the more serenity we will find in the contentment of our own achievements.

3. Let go and let God. Even if you don't believe in God, this principle can work for you. We only have so much control over other people, places and things so doesn't it make sense to trust that maybe there might be something bigger than just our finite selves at work in this universe and turn things over to it's care when we can't handle it anymore. Try it, it works!

4. Easy does it! Here is a principle that has worked for me time and time again. So many of us are always in such a rush that we get terribly emotional about the littlest things. It's a good idea to remember this quote on those days when we are overwhelmed. The sun will still set tonight and rise tomorrow so why not take it easy and enjoy the show?

5. Live and let live. We get really caught up in relationships for many reasons. Lack of communication, past unresolved issues being triggered, waking up on the wrong side of the day. All we really have control over is ourselves, our actions, our life. So let people be who they are because they are going to be anyway, and start enjoying the one person you do have some control over - yourself!

Yes our thinking can affect the way we feel, but if we act according to these principles and others like them we are sure to live a life that will be much more happy, joyous, and free.