Shut up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life, Second Edition, Revised & Updated

CHAPTER ONE

SHUT UP!

“What? You just told me to shut up?”

Yes, I sure did. Someone needs to. Someone has probably needed to tell you that for a long time. In fact, maybe they already did but you were so busy talking you didn't hear them. If you're like most of the people in the world you are probably talking so much you cannot even hear what is being said. As my dad always told me: “You are broadcasting when you ought to be tuned in.” In other words, shut your mouth for a minute and pay attention.

That is most people's biggest problem, including yours. You have been so busy talking and making noise that you never stopped long enough to pay attention to what others were telling you. You probably missed all the important lessons that life was screaming at you because you couldn't hear them.

“Most of us are so busy running around creating the soap opera and drama we call our lives that we don't hear anything.”

—Louise Hay

In the New Testament there is a story about Jesus traveling in a fishing boat with his disciples. A big wind comes up, the waves rise, and all of the disciples think they're going to die. They awaken Jesus from his nap, whining and crying, and he says, “Hush, be still” (Mark 4:39 KJV). Then he goes on to talk to them about their faith. (But he first has to make the winds, the waves, and the disciples hush.)

When I was growing up, I was often told to “Hush!” I knew exactly what it meant. In fact, the word “hush” has been shortened to “shhhh.” (I bet you didn't know ...