Louise Hay’s 12 Commandments For Happiness

1. STOP ALL CRITICISM.
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept
yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize
yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your
changes are positive.

2. FORGIVE YOURSELF.
Let the past go. You did the best you could at the time with the
understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now you are
growing and changing, and you will live life differently.

3. DON’T SCARE YOURSELF.
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It’s a dreadful way to
live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately
switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

4. BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT.
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself
as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would
someone you really loved.

5. BE KIND TO YOUR MIND.
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don’t hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

6. PRAISE YOURSELF.
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise
yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with
every little thing.

7. SUPPORT YOURSELF.
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to
help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

8. BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES.
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are
finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release
the old negative patterns.

9. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order
to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of
exercise do you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

10. MIRROR WORK.
Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have
for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Talk to
your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least
once a day, say “I love you, I really love you!”

11. LOVE YOURSELF… DO IT NOW.
Don’t wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job,
or find the new relationship. Begin now—and do the best you can.

12. HAVE FUN.
Remember the things that gave you joy as a child. Incorporate them into
your life now. Find a way to have fun with everything you do. Let
yourself express the joy of living. Smile. Laugh. Rejoice, and the
Universe rejoices with you!