I wouldn’t even call these things glitches – they are just features which can bring good or troubles, depending on how skillfully used. It’s like with a gadget indeed: if you know how to use it for your own good, it works properly; if you don’t, well, it works… somehow. So you’d better read the instruction first, not to set your “house” on fire or whatever ;)

Nice post, a good reminder of the things often forgotten, and actually a hyperlink to some more good pieces of advice:

A good use of the first and the third ‘glitches’ is here.

A brilliant quotation and some smart tips to add to the second ‘glitch’ are here.

I have just one question concerning the latter: when asking for someone’s judgement, how can you define that this someone is credible enough, or has an independent opinion? How to make sure this is the right person for YOU? Even their own success might not be a guarantee…

Also – I had a wise minister who once stated simply “The first step in getting mud off your shoes – is getting out of the mud”! Often one emotional step out of a situation gives one a fresher prospective.

I would add one thing which, I believe, is vital for strengthening immunity. Charging yourself with positive emotions.

The good mood is most important for growing. Only here you can open your eyes wide enough to clearly see your goals, and your actions become inspired, not something forced by your will or the feeling of inferiority. It softens the effect of bad news and helps to look at possible crises constructively.

I see two ways to do that.

First, via waking up previous experiences – recalling something good from the past (a way to make it live with you longer too), or just looking back at your day, as it goes by or before going to sleep, and spotting what made you feel good, to any degree, in any respect. And here comes the coolest thing – the chain reaction: one nice thought wakes up another one. (Works perfectly both ways, so not to try with those of the opposite kind! :P)

Second – via your present actions: noticing and intentionally doing things that make you feel happy and thankful. Att least something every day. E.g. something of this. In some exquisitely blue moments it may seem that nothing works… Haha, this means it’s right the time to try more ways! Something will work for sure, and you’ll end up with a box of new tools to use in future, and not only for yourself.

The important thing here is consciously fixing this state in your heart and mind every time you feel it. Like ticking your inner box ‘Now I’m happy’. Being consciously present in this state helps you to fully savour and get the most of it.

Somebody said, ‘You are a king of your life if you can rule your mood’… Experiencing and fixing positive emotions makes it easier to summon them when needed. Ideally, this should become an autopilot. And I believe this is the best shield. This is actually the immunity. Surprisingly, in my darkest moments at some point my mind drove me to most precious things in my life, and that was what kept me going.

P.S. The question ‘Who are all these people?’ has in fact been partly featured here: http://www.howtolivewow.com/2009/08/26/you-are-as-the-people-you-hang-out-with/

Partly – because it could be also read like ‘WHO are all these people?’ How well do we actually know people who surround us, even those whom we see every day?.. We are tempted to judge by first experience and make possibly fast conclusions – because it’s the easiest. Such thinking is also encouraged by modern technologies which tend to simplify every process. Well, that’s the environment we live in… However, in someone who’s right by your side there might be a world seeking expression! And – just think about it! – you might actually be the first one to explore that world, which, perhaps, will be a discovery to this someone as well… And, just like this, someone might discover the world in you – something you couldn’t even imagine…

As to ‘Where am I?’, this question is a stair to the next one, ‘Where do I want to be?’ – and that’s here: http://www.howtolivewow.com/2009/09/17/describing-your-best-possible-future/

Aiming for our highest potential is definitely the only way to live a fulfilling life.