happiness
How to Find Happiness – In You
Sep 10th
I recently read “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner. One of the ‘take-aways’ for me was how important a feeling of connection is to our happiness.
We feel happiest when we feel like we belong, like we are part of something bigger than ourselves, like we have others to share our joy, our sadness, our peace and contentment with and that we are respected for who we are.
So how do we make those connections if we don’t feel like we have them right now? It takes being a little bit (or perhaps more than a little bit) vulnerable. If we are never willing to step out and reveal a little bit of ourselves then how do we let others in?
For many this causes some anxiety, uneasiness, FEAR. There are ways of dealing with fear. A great book by Susan Jeffers is Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.
Our relationships are so important, and fundamental to all relationships is our relationship with ourselves. This, I think, is often overlooked. In order to have positive fulfilling relationships with others – we need to believe that we are worthy of that relationship and all that it has to offer.
I saw a poster recently that read “If you treated your friends the way you treat yourself would they still be your friend?” We are so often harder on ourselves than we would ever dream of being on others. Some may see this as self discipline or holding yourself to a high standard but in reality it is more often a lack of self worth, self love, self respect.
In one of my monthly meditations I guide listeners through a visualization with the words:
Love is kind… I will be kind to myself
Love is patient… I will be patient with myself
One of the greatest joys in a relationship is doing little things for the other person, buying small gifts that are meaningful, making them a special meal they enjoy, performing small tasks for them… the list is endless and gives as much to the giver as the recipient. Why not do those thoughtful gestures for yourself.
When we find more inner happiness, we are more joyful to be with, and therefore our outer connections expand.
Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself and be bold, take the first step to creating new connections.
Happiness – Get Yourself Some Because it Beats the Alternative
Sep 10th
Do not look now, but your life is passing you by if you are not reaching for happiness. Happiness is withing reach for everyone as long as they do not get things in their life twisted.
So what do I mean by getting things in life twisted? It means keeping your priorities straight, in other words we were born to be happy throughout life. Instead what many of us have done is tried to find substitutes for our happiness.
For example, some people have watched a movie, television and or read the newspaper or a magazine that focuses on things in life. A big house, luxury cars, expensive vacations and recreational drugs and extra marital affairs. All of the things I listed represent unhappiness when life gets twisted.
Your happiness is on you when it comes to living a life with real purpose. A great example of living life on purpose is to keep life simple, in other words honor the unique life you have been given, believe in something greater than yourself, love your family, love your children, and have compassion. Why?
None of us is perfect and as a result of this, we will make mistakes throughout our life and the way to happiness is through living a life of simplicity. Purchase a house you can afford, not one to impress your family and neighbors. Purchase a vehicle you can afford without breaking your bank and get involved in your local community to help make it a better place to live.
More importantly love the woman you married and the children you created as a husband and wife. Life can really get out of hand when you subscribe to living a movie and or television oriented lifestyle. The reason a lot of people never find true happiness is because their happiness is caught up in the things of life, otherwise known as stuff.
Home mortgage foreclosures, job lost, credit card debt and unreasonable thinking causes people to become unhappy very fast. So what is one to do if they want to find happiness in their life.
First things first, take a step back, take a deep breath and take a personal assessment of where you are in life. Happy is just around the corner if you are willing to change your thoughts to change your life. Anything is possible as long as you are willing to change. I know you can do it, so get started today so you can live your life filled with happiness.
