The first time I heard these words come out my dad’s mouth, I was four.

My dad’s not the cliché type; he’s not a philosopher nor a counselor. He never quotes anyone, let alone Einstein.

But, for some reason or another, defining insanity was to him, one of the most valuable pieces of life advice he could share with his children — so he did, often.

For a long time, I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, so I would just smile and nod in agreement. After all, if my dad said it, it must be true.

I never questioned his catch phrase until he used it against me. It was my 9th birthday, and I was insistent on inviting the boy who lived two houses down from me to my party.

This was the same boy who avoided me on the school playground, told others not to play with me and had his mom lie for him when I rang the doorbell to ask if he wanted to play outside.

My dad looked at my proposed guest list, took the pencil out of my hand and erased his name from the list. He said, “Adalay, you can’t do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result — that, my love, is the definition of insanity.”

I angrily snatched the list from his hands and ran to our orange bubble Apple computer. Within a few minutes, I had all the proof I needed: The definition of insanity is madness, or the state of being seriously mentally ill.

My dad was wrong, and being the stubborn 9-year-old that I was, I was ready to shut down this insanity business.

I told him, “Dad, I have consulted my sources and the definition of insanity is not [in air quotes] ‘doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results,’ so I would like you to stop saying that, since it is a lie. I think it’s insane that you keep lying and expect people to believe you.”

My small research project didn’t stop him, though. Since that day, I’ve had the term “insanity” defined to me a 100 times.

When I moved out of my parents’ house to go away to college, I found myself reciting the lines mentally in the absence of my dad’s advice.

Why do I do things over and over again and expect different results? Why am I disappointed when the same actions don’t produce the outcome I desire? Why don’t I change my actions? Why do I do things I know will make me unhappy?

I’m not insane, but I can be irrational. My actions are often innocent and well-intentioned, but my expectations are foolish.

For the most part, no one wants to be unhappy, and yet many of us continue to be the only common denominator in our unhappiness. We let negative thoughts carry us away; we engage in activities that lead us to feel upset or guilty, and we avoid situations that could bring us a greater sense of happiness.

I always overlooked my dad’s warning. “Insanity” refers only to the seriously ill, and I am luckily I’m not in such a circumstance or state.

But, it’s the small negative things we do and say — the seemingly insignificant and unnoticeable — that become damaging patterns in our lives. We let them happen because they seem harmless; we’ve forgotten that hurting ourselves means we are hurting someone.

I point fingers; I blame my past; I shut down my goals, and then I go home and lie in bed and wonder when things are going to change for me.

Nothing is ever going to change for me. Thinking so is, well, insane.

It has taken me 21 years of hearing my dad’s favorite epigram to realize the insanity lies not in my mind’s mental state and capacities, but the fact that I willingly sabotage myself.

I sabotage myself, and sadly, it happens more than I’d like to admit:

1. I complain about my weight while eating cookies and ice cream.

2. I compare myself to everyone and anyone.

3. I say I am a realist when I am a negative Nancy.

4. When I am overwhelmed or upset, I take it out on others.

5. I do my hair when it is raining outside.

6. When I am upset, I don’t allow myself to do anything but think of the negativity at hand.

7. I refuse to acknowledge my positive traits and accomplishments.

8. I forget I am allowed to make mistakes.

9. I don’t make an effort to keep in touch with my friends and family.

10. I leave things for “tomorrow.”

11. I get upset with my reflection.

12. I don’t go on dates or give guys a chance, and then I complain about my love life.

13. I set unrealistic goals.

You can read the remainder of this fantastically useful list by CLICKING HERE NOW.    Thanks to Elite Daily!