Do you hear yourself use words that are too self critical or too harsh? Do you hear yourself saying or thinking:

• "I should have been a better parent, spouse, child, provider, etc."
• "If only I had...,"
• "I'm no good at this."
• "I can't change this habit."
• "I never should have quit my other job."
• "I should never have taken this job."
• "I should be more organized."

Instead, you could choose to have happy and new EARS for 2015.

Here is an exercise for happy new ears. I invite you to do the following:

1. Tell someone of your plan for your happy new EARS and ask them to hold you accountable.

2. When you get a negative thought about yourself, switch to a positive affirmation such as:

• "I did the best I could with the facts I had."
• "I'm getting there."
• "I'm doing the best I can."
• "I can do this."
• "One step at a time."
• "I've overcome a lot more difficult challenges."

3. Remember be light and patient with yourself.

4. Create your own affirmation.

I really want to hear your affirmation. Sharing it with me gives it more life and you more power.