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Be Happy - Sounds Easy Enough
By Christina | May 5, 2009
Happy people certainly do seem to fare better than unhappy people. Have you noticed that a happy person is jovial even when life hands them the proverbial stack of lemons?
If your idea of joy comes from what you have or what you can achieve, you may find in these days of economic hardships that happiness is eluding you. Many of us have discovered that a fancy dinner, new car, or bigger house no longer determines our outlook on life. It is this realization that helps us to understand that true “joie de vie” emanates from within.
Here is a simple 5 step (think 12 step to alcohol addiction recovery) plan to living a life filled with inner zest.
1. Smile – TYPICALLY, when you smile at someone they smile back. I say typically because I have smiled at people who snarl back. Try smiling throughout the day. Smiling releases the neurotransmitters serotonin and endorphins into our system which are important in regulating our sleep, mood, and behavior.
2. Appreciate – Be thankful for things you should have like food in the ‘fridge and shoes on your feet. How about thanks for having friends who truly love you? We often give thanks for the big things in life. Stop and appreciate the little things.
3. Forgive – Release anger that is harming your mind and body. You have to start with you – forgive yourself for not being perfect – it’s ok. You can only create your life from the present, and when you aren’t forgiving, you’re living in the past. Forgive and move forward.
4. Allow – Accept everyone as they are. You may not want to have everyone in your life, but if they are, accept them “as is”. Let others be who they are without judgment. It’s time to stop thinking other people are wrong if they don’t see the world like you.
5. Stop watching the news – Constantly watching misery and hardship will affect our mental state and shut off our happiness energy.
Topics: General |
