My list for a Happy Life:
1) Come to a realization of who you are, how special you are and how much worth you really have. Everyone is unique and special and has different ideas and energy to bring to others. Fill your mind with good thoughts of who you are, where you come from and where you are going. Hold on to your faith and seek out truth, light and knowledge. If you believe in God, Pray for His guidance and ask Him to help you know your journey and path.
2) Read uplifting books and materials. Fill your mind with good, positive energy through books, audio books, seminars or positive conversations with friends and family. You can't have positive thoughts if you have nothing positive in your mind. By deliberately placing in your mind positive materials, you'll be able to draw upon those phrases and words when you need them. Read the scriptures, inspirational talks, personal development books by uplifting authors and listen to good music with good lyrics to uplift your soul daily.
3) Spend time talking to friends and family, in person and/or on the phone. There's something that means more than sending and receiving text messages from family and friends. A phone conversation brings people closer, more connected. Why is it so difficult for all of us to answer the phone or to call someone? Technology is so quick and easy, but actually talking to a friend or family member will strengthen your relationship more than only sending social media messages back and forth. I love technology and love to Facetime my family and close friends. I enjoy an in person visit. I love to talk to loved ones on the phone. I do enjoy the occasional snapchat or text message filled with emoti-cons back and forth. Seeing my family post to Facebook and Instragram is awesome! But we all could stand to use the phone or visit in person more often.
4) Choose a hobby you love to do and spend time doing it at least weekly. I have many hobbies and I am really happy when I make the time to DO those hobbies! I love to play the piano, craft, make jewelry for family and friends, do decorative painting or paint and refinish furniture, sing, play the flute, dance, ride a bike, walk, swim, waterski, and bake. Make time to do something you love to do just because every week, even a little bit every day! YOU are worth the time to do what you love, it will help you feel rejuvenated and happy.
5) Take time to enjoy nature. We live in a beautiful world full of so many great places to see. Weather you live in the desert, the mountains, the coast or the plains, there is always something to enjoy. I love the bring my camera and snap photos of places I see that I enjoy. I live on the Oregon Coast so walking or hiking in beautiful places is very enjoyable. I love to visit the Beach and look for treasures and enjoy nature. God has given us so much to enjoy!
6) Spend time learning and improving yourself. Learn something new. Learn a new process for doing something mundane. Make things fun, enjoyable. Have the "I Get To" attitude, instead of the "I Have To" attitude. We "get to" do so many things. There are so many opportunities around us for improvement and for good. We CAN improve our circumstances by learning new skills and learning new processes and doing things better and better every single day. Progress is progress, small or big, progress is progress. Make progress towards learning every day.. It will give you a sense of accomplishment enjoyed by those who dream and make things better for themselves in all aspects of life.
7) Exercise: Move. Lift. Swim. Walk. Run. Dance. Ride a Bike. If you're only 'activity' is playing video games, that is a sedentary life. Get moving and get into action. You will improve your mood, your circulation, your heart health, your joint health, your whole physical body will improve overall. If you hurt when you exercise, examine how you are performing your activity. Choose an activity that you CAN do and you enjoy. Exercise will prolong your life and give you more energy!
8) Eat a nutritious variety of foods in the correct amounts. Have a plan for your nutrition for your physical well being. Avoid fast food and high fatty, sugary foods. Your heart health depends on a diet high in nutrients like protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy, natural supplements and whole foods. We do not get enough protein in our American diet as a whole. Choose healthy proteins that are both animal and plant protein. Choose whole fruits and vegetables, cooked at home or raw. Choose drinks that are healthy for you. Don't "drink your calories". Many fruit juices and drinks we buy in the stores are full of sugar and calories and just not healthy for our bodies. We feel sluggish and tired when we consume too much sugar and high fatty foods. Find a nutrition plan you can live with and be consistent with it! You'll experience weight loss and better health. Over 60% of men in America are considered overweight or obese! Let's get healthier together! 80% of your weight loss goals are a result of what you eat!
9) Sleep. You need sleep for overall good health. We don't sleep enough. Early to bed and early to rise really is a great health and happiness tip. Just like a child who is cranky when they don't have a full nights rest or don't have a nap, we can be very cranky and moody when we don't get enough sleep. If you are on a weight loss program, getting enough rest/sleep is crucial. Our bodies need time to repair and recuperate after being active for the whole day. A good number is 8-10 hours for adults, depending on how active you are during the day. The more active you are, the more sleep you need. Repair what has been worn out, torn down and depleted because of our workout schedule.
10) Love. Give your love to your loved ones. Serve others. Help those who are in need of help. Give to a charity or organization. Be available to your friends and family for service. When you see a need, don't ask if you can help, just help. Pray for others who need help. We cannot do everything, but the something we CAN do will make a difference for those we love and serve. Give time to your church or favorite organization in service. When you serve others, you are able to lose yourself. We aren't so focused on ourselves and our problems when we are serving others. This brings a feeling of peach and charity and is a great feeling! Love unconditionally. Don't expect a reciprocation of your service, just do it for the person you are serving without expectations of anything in return. We can love everyone without putting our stamp of approval for the way others choose to live their lives. We are all different and we all choose our way. We can love everyone without accepting everything everyone does as what we will do ourselves. Show love and respect no matter what.
This is my list of 10 things for happiness in this life. I'm sure there are more 'things' to add that would make us happy.. True happiness is found not in material possessions or trips or toys. True happiness is found in the impact we give and leave with our family and friends. It is found in the simple, human daily acts we perform daily in secret where the whole world does not see. In this day and age of social media and everyone calling "Look what I'm doing!" let's seek for the kind of happiness that is quiet and loving and simple. Serve others. Give love and I hope this helps someone. We may feel like we need to change to be happy. First, be happy where you are at, be grateful for what you do have and then move forward..make little changes that you CAN make every day and they will add up to big changes over a lifetime. The challenge is happiness. If you are seeking happiness and feel like you aren't happy, what should you seek to change? I believe that we can be happy no matter what our circumstances are. If we don't like our circumstances, change them. YOU have the POWER to CHANGE! We are human beings with intelligence and we CAN become what we want to become. Choose a path, look to those who have accomplished what you want and pattern your life after them. Choose a mentor, someone you love and respect and look up to and work toward learning what they did to have what you want to have, weather it is something spiritual or physical. We are here on this earth to seek every good thing. Everyone deserves to be happy and to find a joyful way in life. Leave a comment if you have anything to add.
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