The Jude Thaddeus Program - Chapter 10

Replacement

Through completing the first nine chapters along with the exercises for each chapter, you now should have a general idea of the person you want to become.  In this chapter we will help you to formulate the details of that image and give you a clear cut path on how to become that new person.

The diagram below (in the text) shows the two extremes of an individual’s thinking. On the left side are the negative, unforgiving, selfish, fearful thoughts and the results of those habitual thought processes. On the right are faithful, forgiving, selfless thought processes and their attendant results.

While at the retreat house we suggest you put great effort into changing your thought patterns and exhibiting the qualities listed in the right hand column of the chart. This column is characterized by extreme honesty, extreme faith, extreme love, and extreme positive thought. In reality, living life according to the values in the right hand column is not all that extreme. It might seem that way to you because you have lived counter to some or all of these values for many years. But ask yourself, why have you done this? Isn’t the answer because you thought it would make you happy? Yet here you are… The truth is the vast majority of people who lead happy and successful lives exhibit the positive qualities in that list, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Change requires you to actually do something. Are you ready to take control of your life? This chapter is a catapult to help spring you into action applying the basic positive thoughts that you have not employed in the past.

Success in the JTP is characterized by abstinence, happiness, joy and peace every day for the rest of your life. It is achieving your new self-image whatever you have decided that is to be. It is practicing the virtues on the right side of the chart because ultimately that is what brings people happiness and success.

Some guests, perhaps many, believe that most people in the world are dishonest and generally out for their own gain, but this is not reality. The truth is most people live relatively mature, stable and happy lives. The reason for your skewed perception is due to your personal perspective. People have a tendency to believe the rest of the world works as they do. For example, if you are dishonest and disingenuous, you believe that others must be as well. This is especially true in the substance abuse world. That lifestyle attracts like-minded, negative people.

As a selfless lifestyle begins to become intuitive, you will be amending yourself rapidly, instinctively. Remember, you are trying to rebuild trust with those you hurt and become someone new. Your main goal is to achieve consistent joy, and these daily reminders are a way to achieve this over the long haul.

It all comes down to mastering the basic principles of successful, goal-oriented living. Living on the far right of the chart is not difficult once you master the basic skills. It is learning the fundamentals that take a tremendous initial investment. Once you intuitively know each of the principles, it is nearly impossible not to live them as they will have become a working part of your daily emotions and thought processes.

Preview Chapter 11 - Life Movements, Happiness Lists