There are three philosophies of life: Romanticism, Intellectualism and Realism. Romanticism is when we believe that our feelings are real. Intellectualism is when we believe that our thoughts are right. Source: Realism, Romanticism, Intellectualism, Mental Health Through Will Training chapter 5, page 75 Romanticism and intellectualism are forms of self-deception. “Your feelings deceive you.” Source: Feelings Are Not Facts, Mental Health Through Will Training chapter 28, page 118 “Temper is an effort to deceive oneself into the belief that somebody is right and somebody else is wrong.” Source: Tantrums Have Much Force but Little Feeling, Mental Health Through Will Training chapter 19, page 184 “A person who endorses feels secure.” “Self-endorsement is so important because the sense of security which it produces makes for sure and determined action. In order to take positions of security, I must have the disposition to think of myself as a trustworthy person in general.” Source: Self-Endorsement and Predisposition, Selections from Dr. Low’s Works page 46 “Gertrude had about the same type of experiences as her co-workers. But whereas Gertrude indicted her basic functions her coworkers put the blame on some phase of their conduct only. Basically, they approved of their behavior. … What she will have to learn is that to get well means to become again an average nervous person who has implicit confidence in the trustworthiness of her basic functions.” Source: Selections from Dr. Low’s Works, Nervous Patients and Nervous Persons pages 8, 10 Note: All page numbers in Mental Health Through Will Training are from the 1997 edition.

Our goal is to develop a philosophy of balance and humility, which is Realism. When we become realists, we develop balanced habits. We become our best selves, and when we are our best selves we relax.