I recently read the children book The Giving Tree with my three-year-old son. It is about a tree who loves a little boy. The tree gives and gives everything to the boy. The Tree gives its apples, branches, and trunk to the boy in an effort to make him happy. I was amazed with my son when after we finished reading the book the first time and he looked at me and said "mommy, this is a sad book". At 3 he realized that giving everything selflessly is sad. He hears me say all the time no one can make you happy and no one can make you sad. No one has this power. I think he gets it! The tree can't make the boy happy! Only he has control over his feelings. Have you given up control over your feelings? Do you blame your job, your partner or your parents for your negative emotions?
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