How many of us spend the vast majority of our day worrying? We relive and analyze situations and conversations to no end, all the while becoming enraptured by things that may happen even if we have no hard evidence to this effect.

We worry about our children's grades, what to make for dinner, mortgage payments and bank statements. We wonder endlessly about what others think about us or how they feel about us, all the while choosing to take a trip down misery lane.

Pay attention - you have a choice about what you choose to believe and how you interpret the world at large.

Worry is derived from a belief system and thought process that is in complete agreement with the worst possible outcome of any given moment, circumstance or event.

We go to class or work and know for sure that this or that is going to happen, and we never even take a moment to question our own thoughts.

Do you prepare to go on an outing of some sort with stories rolling around in your mind about how awful it is going to be because so and so will be there? Or because you will be tired the next day?

Do you loath doing the laundry or homework because you just know it will be such a drag and take forever? What if you took this moment as an opportunity to go beyond the usual and actually listen to your own self talk?

Beyond that, what if you could catch yourself and decide to take a soft left and walk the path of happy avenue? This is simple. Just turn around every worry-filled and negative though to its complete opposite.

As an example - "Gee, what if I have a great time at the dinner party and meet someone really interesting and wake up refreshed, energized and loving life?"

This can also work for teens dealing with school, friends and even parents. For parents, the same goes for work, business, money and health.

You receive what you believe, and you only see the world through your own eyes. Give it a try for 30 days and then let me know how things went - I love happy stories.

Jasmine Iwaszkiewicz specializes in youth counselling. Her website is www.beingu.ca. Questions for her can be sent to mirror@simcoe.com.