FIVE THOUGHTS ON BEING HAPPY
Happiness can sometimes seem rather elusive. So here are some
thoughts, based on borrowed wisdom, on how to feel happy - and
how to realise you can actually be happy right now.
"In our minds, we must see that it is not happiness that makes
us grateful, but rather gratefulness that makes us happy." ~
Albert Clark Every day write down, or say out loud, ten things
for which you are grateful. What we focus on expands, so focus
on the good things. Acknowledge and be grateful for a whole
range of things - your eyesight, health, friends and family, the
sunshine, the clothes on your back, ability to drive. Life is
good!
"Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you
have; it depends solely on what you think." ~ Dale Carnegie
Monitor your thoughts for a few days. What self chatter is going
on? Do those thoughts serve you, make you feel good? No? Then
begin to say positive supportive things to yourself, and choose
to stop paying attention to the negative thoughts that cross
your mind. You wouldn't say negative things to your best friend
- treat yourself the same way.
"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your
thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." ~
Andrew Carnegie Have something specific to work towards - some
purpose in life that really fires you up. Achieving it will feel
fantastic and fulfilling - and working towards it will also feel
great. Have some focus, some meaning in your life.
"Every day, the happy person does at least one difficult thing."
~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Try something new, something that
stretches and challenges you. Join an evening class, jog an
extra mile, write to a long lost friend, achieve something
different - surprise yourself!
"You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace
that is already around your neck!" ~ Jalal-Uddin Rumi Instead of
thinking you will be happy when you change jobs, move house,
meet that new partner, realise that you can choose to accept and
experience happiness now - it is not conditional on the external
factors you are seeking, but is already inside you.