Have you ever been in the presence of someone who simply radiates happiness? Do they have a unique “happy” gene? Do they have a perfect life? No problems in life? Chances are they have the same troubles and problems as you. However, they live life differently than those who let life down.
Try using these simple techniques and become a more vibrant, happy and content person.
1. Count your blessings: no matter how many problems you have, start counting on your blessings. /a> for your questions. Often where our focus is, there our heart will be. Focusing alone (or too much) on the pain and troubles in our lives tends to overshadow and bring us down. Consider starting a blessing journal. Then, as Irwin Berlin’s popular song from A White Christmas says, “When I’m worried and can’t sleep, I take my goods for sheep, and fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll gets low I think when I had nothing, and family friends – neighbors – celebrities in the news. The effort is in vain. We can always find someone who is smarter, prettier, thinner, richer, or more talented – but does it matter? But the matter does not matter. We need to live OUR lives – given gifts and talents.
3. Focus on relationships rather than materialism: We come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. But we can leave this world affected by the people we love and the way we choose to live. According to Bronnie Ware, who does her “Top 5 People’s Deaths“, two of the most common death laments are working too hard. hard and does not stay in touch with the people Ask yourself: Are you too focused on accumulating wealth and “being enough”, leaving little time to spend with the ones you love? “Stuff” typically doesn’t make us as happy as being with loved ones. So stop buying those lottery tickets thinking that they will solve all your problems and make you happy. It probably won’t, and it will make your life worse.
4. Give yourself up: Start making life about others instead of focusing inward on your own problems. Think about the causes you deeply care about. Individuals give their time and efforts to causes that make a difference in the world. They have something important that drives them to get up and out of bed every day, no matter what other troubles they are dealing with in life. You could serve at a soup kitchen once a week, volunteer at a local elementary, serve on non-profit boards, or preferably at your church to be involved Why not use the time you have to make a difference? Soon your troubles and pains will seem lighter.
5. Look for opportunities and challenges: Life will present challenges to all of us, although certainly some will seem to have more than their fair share. But it is how we choose to respond to those challenges that makes or breaks us. Five years ago, my husband and I went through some difficult and scary times as we learned about and dealt with his cancer diagnosis. Instead of drowning in depression, we wanted to learn more about the disease and share our findings with others. We looked at this as a memorial that we live every day, that it is a gift, and that we should cherish each day.
6. Play and have fun: Play games – put on some silly music and dance – be childish . Growing up and getting old doesn’t mean we need to be heavy all the time. Remember what it’s like to roll in fall leaves. Or they make angels in the winter snow. What about having sumber-parties with your girlfriends – when you’re in your 50’s. Why not! Even the land of life. So put aside the books and the sorrows for a while, and give back that childlike quality of your youth. Yesterday, my husband and I taught our little 2-year-old grandson how to do the hokey-pokey – fun at its best! Try to build FUN into your life again. As you will find, it becomes a lot easier!
7. Focus on your faith: For those of us who have a relationship with God, our faith gives us strength and hope in the tough times of life. No matter how strong you are, sometimes life simply becomes too difficult to handle on your own. Do not turn away from God and prayer in those difficult times. Focusing on your faith, and giving some of your burdens to God to handle, may the people of faith find comfort and consolation. Many faiths, including mine, acknowledge that pain can be “offered” for the benefit of others. “Take up your cross one day and follow me.” (Luke 9:23
8. Be good: Life is full of temptations, and it’s easy to be “thrown” into thinking it’s okay to make bad choices. You watch the nightly news, and you see the horrible crimes, making your “little” indiscretions look smaller in comparison. But living a life of great importance, and making healthy ethical and moral choices in all situations will give you peace of mind and conscience. We need to get around where we measure right and wrong, not whatever “feels” to us by chance. For my faith surrounds me.
9. Know that you will not always be happy, minute by minute: Acknowledge that you will be happier on other days. Well and normal. But not all days are sad. Recognize that struggles and difficulties are a normal part of life. Look at it this way – hard days make great days that much sweeter!
10. Change what you can change: If you don’t want your life, is there anything you have the power to change? I’m sure sometimes great minds change. If you don’t like your profession, consider learning a new trade. If you are a “yes” person and find yourself overcommitted, consider saying “no” sometimes! It’s not always “stuck” with the life you’re living. You have more control and power than you know to change your life.
We live in the space of time, in the context of eternity. So make a conscious decision to live happily, as you navigate through some of life’s tougher hurdles. Celebrate all that life brings, blessings and challenges, by using some of these simple techniques. You may just find that the struggles don’t reach you as deeply. When life gives you lemons, try making lemonade.
http://www.tectrendafrica.com/2011/05/31/the-top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbeds-2/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-26-lotteryluck_x.htm
