Changing the Stars - in the beginning

Life is difficult for everyone in some way or another - I always say this any time it fits. It tends to fit in most cases.
When we don't like our circumstances, we have a bad habit of generalizing them. A bitter frustration about financial circumstances turns into "I hate money!", dissapointment over body image becomes "I'm so ugly!", and before we have thought too closely, it has all become an inexplicable mess of spiteful behavior and daily pain.
Change your mind, and you will change your life - it is logical and powerful. It is also easier said than done, especially when we are unaware of our own feelings and motivations.
It can be done, as the first step in changing our stars, by following some basic daily disciplines.
Mindfulness - starting out the day with focused meditation can only help you to remain present and cognitive through the entire day. On the days that I wake up and spend at least ten minutes simply focusing on myself and mu surroundings, I manage to do more, as well as do it more efficiently.
Make clear short and long-term goals. Even if your goal is "survive the day" on some days, eventually you will move beyond that. Set a goal, even if it seems silly. Make task lists, even if they annoy you. Cross off the tasks completed, make your progress visual. Look at it every day and soon you will find that you want to make more goals and achieve higher levels. This is a beautiful thing.
Seek and accept support. We all KNOW that the company we keep is important to our success. Some of the people I have known in my life would accuse me of being "fake" because of this. I assure you that there is nothing further from the truth in this. I don't want anyone to deny their roots, I want you to accept them and transcend them. It may mean losing some connections, but in the long run, those connections that are lost were never true to begin with. The people who want to help you succeed are doing all that they can to help you already - meet them in the middle by asking them to be there for you. If they refuse, then find someone else. No man needs to be an island.
Plan for tomorrow. Every night before bed, remind yourself of what your goals are and set out the things you will need to help reach them for the day. Taking weight loss as an example - you know you're going to want a snack. Prepare something healthy that will help you lose weight, not gain more. Set up an appointment with yourself to work out. Make sure your walking shoes are just where they need to be.
These are places to start off at,and I will never be the one to tell you it is easy.
At the moment I am keeping a daily journal of events. It took me the whole weekend to remember to write in it at all. Some things I forget to write about, even though I need to note each and every thing I do in order for the journal plan to be effective.
My journal plan is simple and yet profound. For a few weeks, I will make an honest and simple account of my every activity. All the food I eat is included, as I want to lose weight.
After two weeks have passed, I will read the journal and decide how I can begin to change my daily habits in order to reach my goals. Seems pretty basic, doesn't it? Not everyone will need something like this. Some people can decide to make a new habit, set to work on it, and with some struggle, finally succeed. I'm not that kind of person, and it took a great deal of self-examination to understand that.
Humans are a complex animal.
I am now willing and able to look at my own behavior and say "This is not good enough." That hurts, but at least I follow the statement with"I'm ready to change it." I'm taking action to improve my thoughts, those electrical impulses that become feelings, words, actions, and solutions.
This is how I control my mind, and begin to change the constellations in my mind's sky