“Too often we expect happiness to come as a result of our relationships rather than as a premise upon which to build one.”
-Iyanla Vanzant
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
Happiness, what’s your expectation? Think about that for a moment...
happiness /noun/
-a state of well-being and contentment : joy.
-a pleasurable or satisfying experience.
A basic term, happiness is. We know what it means... I believe many take happiness for granted. We wait for it to come. Vansant's quote is a reminder, a wake-up call that finding happiness requires some intentional effort and action.
14 Things That Make You Happy And Enjoy Life More
(charterisglobalsearch.com)
1. Start with a Good Dose of Gratitude: Being consciously aware of what you’re thankful for can actually change your level of happiness.
2. Make Sure You’re Giving Back: There’s something about giving that allows you to receive more in return besides just the awesome act of giving to help others. When you give, you’re sending a message to the Universe that you know everything’s going to be all right.
3. Laugh Every Day (It’s Better than Money): When you laugh, you release a happy hormone called oxytocin. It’s a hormone that uplifts us as we share experiences with others. Even just making yourself smile will put you in a better place.
4. Foster Good Relationships with Family and Friends: Happy people don’t spend large amounts of time alone. By spending time with people you like, you forge supportive relationships that help you in times of stress.
5. Take Some Alone Time: It’s important to step back and take some time for yourself, by yourself. You can recharge your spirit and find a little peace in a little bit of silence. Taking some time away and being alone can do wonders for your mood and outlook.
6. Do What You Love: Doing things that you love to do–and even better, getting paid for it–are good ways to boost your levels of happiness. When work feels like play, you’re more likely to enjoy other aspects of your life better, too.
7. Volunteer Your Time: When you give of yourself, either by time or talent, your focus shifts from your life to that of others. This can help you realize that your own problems may not be that bad. You invariably forge new relationships and experience an uplift in your spirit.
8. Get Enough Exercise: Humans were made to move around and the body works best when it does what it was meant to do. As you exercise, you release those same feel-good hormones as mentioned above. When you take some time to exert yourself, you reduce your stress levels.
9. Avoid Regrets: We all make mistakes in life–that’s part of the human condition. Learn to forgive–yourself and others–because everyone else just trying to get through life the best they can, too. They’ll make mistakes, but the trick is, moving on from them.
10. Take Time to Meditate: Sitting down, lighting a candle and doing some deep breathing for 10 minutes are all it takes to relax your mind and body. In doing so, you get in touch with your inner-self, and invariably, you’ll get to know yourself a little better. That’s definitely a booster on the happiness scale.
11. Deal with Clutter: Are you overrun with books and papers piled everywhere? Too much mail sitting on the hall table? Why not tackle a small task each day for a month in an effort to de-clutter your life?
When you’re not running around looking for items you can’t find, when everything has its place, you’ll automatically be less stressed and in a better mental state.
12. Get Enough Rest: Many of us are suffering from sleep deprivation which can lead to higher levels of stress and edginess. After a good night of sleep, you can tackle your daily tasks in a more calm, alert way. Your body will thank you, too.
13. Eat Healthier Foods: “You are what you eat.” It’s true. How can you look and feel your best if the foods you eat are not good for you? By eating better, you’re not only taking care of yourself, but you’ll also feel more vibrant and energetic. You’ll literally be healthier from the inside out.
14. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others: If you can condition your mind to focus on the good that you are doing and the good things in your life, you’re not going to be tempted to focus on how others are doing.
Today's Challenge: Commit to discovering your own happiness:
Start the conversation about happiness in your professional or social circles.
Analyze for yourself your own expectation of happiness and how you can begin to encourage more into your life.
Ask yourself the following questions: (from Iyanla Vanzant)
What work are you going to create your own happiness? Think about this seriously and write down your answer...
What can you do today to accelerate the process or the experience? Now: Make a plan and get to it!
What are you willing to do to create more happiness in your life?
Don’t miss your opportunity! Be intentional... Encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#freedomfriday, #behappy, #beabetteryou,#learnandgrow, #yourchoice, #yourjourney, #ittakescourage, #confidence, #justdoit, #responsibility, #accountability, #selfawareness, #faceyourfears, #honoryourself, #commitment, #intention, #youhavearighttoyouruniqueness, #shareyourgifts, #learnthelesson, #powerforward, #bepresent, #leadbyexample, #leadershipdevelopment, #leadershipcoach, #lifecoach, #letsgo,
References:
Vanzant, Iyanla; Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color. Atria, New York, NY. 2020
14 Things That Make You Happy And Enjoy Life More
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