Thoughts - Feelings

Irrational thinking causes and sustains emotional disturbances. Rational thinking contributes to feeling good.

I have to feel the way I feel. And that's it. That's just me. I have no choice in the matter.

In any situation, I can choose to feel the way I want to feel. I do have a choice in the matter.

I can't accept myself without the love and/or approval of those I want it from.

I can accept myself without the love or approval of anyone.

If I don't do everything exactly right, or if I'm not the first, that proves I'm a worthless slob.

I can calmly accept myself regardless of whether or not I behave the way I want.

Other people or things outside of me make me feel the emotions I feel.

I, and I alone, cause all my emotional feelings so I'll just cause me to feel as good as I want.

If I don't like a job or the people or institution that requires me to do the job, they have no right to be mad at me or to punish me if I mess the job up or refuse to do it all together.

If I do well the jobs I don't like I'll keep myself out of trouble and help myself get some things I want.

My way is the only "right," "correct," or "just" way to do things.

My way is just that, my way. Other people have their way and have a right to their way just as I do.

I should use all my abilities fully and achieve as much as I can. If I don't, I should feel guilty.

I freely choose to develop any of my abilities and to pursue any personal goals that I think I may enjoy.

The way I act tells me what type person I am. (If I act foolishly then I am a fool.)

I am a human being.
Our behavior does not define who we are

I have to feel bad if the person I love leaves me or dies. My willingness to suffer proves how much I loved that person. If I don't feel bad, that proves I never really loved that person in the first place.

My being upset over a loved one leaving me or dying only proves that I have upset myself. My being upset has nothing to do with how much or how little I loved that person.

I can't accept myself unless I'm married, have friends or am loved by really worthwhile people or unless I'm involved in a cause that's greater or more worthwhile than I am.

I can calmly accept myself regardless of who I am, who I'm married to, going with, or who I know. I'm with other people just some of the time. But I can't ever get away from me.

I just have to be upset if people (especially those close to me) don't behave the way they should.

I can calmly accept the fact that each person should follow his or her own mind because that's all they can do. If others disagree with me, then I can try to influence them to change their minds and I'll usually do a much better job of influencing them if I refuse to get upset, angry and depressed. I don't have to get upset if others don't change their minds.

Source: Not sure. Possibly Dr. Maxie Maultsby.