PART II - YOU

Are You In Your Own Private Hell?

(The following may apply to you, or you may be suffering as the spouse of someone it does apply to.)

If someone is chronically unhappy, odds are that he/she has developed a distorted view of the world, themselves, and/or their spouse. They torture themselves and often lash out at the ones closest to them, blaming them for their misery or, because they take those closest for granted, or see them as extensions of themselves, use them as convenient targets for their rage and frustration.

Most miserable people feel trapped by their life circumstances.  Their world-view has been incorrectly formed and their lives just don’t measure up to what they think they should have or be.  They chase money, power, sex, and material things.  They abuse drugs and alcohol. This is done in pursuit of “happiness”, and it is always elusive.

We all have problems, none of us is perfect, and our life circumstances change over time, sometimes dramatically, and often well beyond our control. However, if we develop the correct attitudes and skills (see Part IV) for dealing with life and each other, especially our spouses, the mental states of happiness and joy will find us!