I'm really happy and seem to be able to live in this state of joy recently thanks to many daily practices. Mindfulness has contributed significantly to my well being and just letting things 'be' and they sort themselves out :).
Making a conscious effort to be positive, not gossip, say kind words has really improved how other's respond to me......much more cheerfully and positively.
Sharing stories of what went right on the weekend and not the things that didn't go quite right - in the end the mission was accomplished and I couldn't have wished for a better team to work with. Thank you Da, Phet, Pao, Na, Boula, Dr P, Bossy and all the girls, teachers, principal, village head and parents. You have enriched my life so much.
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This article has most of the daily practices that I feel I have incorporated into my life, especially over the last 12 months.
I'm not perfect but I find joy in small things, I smile a whole lot more than ever before, I am way more grateful
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/choose-happy/
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” —Abraham Lincoln
Happy people realize happiness is a choice. They are not held hostage
by their circumstances and they do not seek happiness in people or
possessions. They understand that when we stop chasing the world’s
definition of happiness, we begin to see the decision to experience
happiness has been right in front of us all along. Research in the field
of
positive psychology continues to reinforce this understanding.
But simply knowing that happiness is a choice is not enough. Fully
experiencing it still requires a conscience decision to do so each
day. How then might each of us begin to experience this joy?
Consider this list of
12 Intentional Actions to Choose Happiness Today. Embrace one new action item… practice all of them… or simply use them as inspiration to discover your own.
1. Count your blessings. Happy people choose to
focus on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative. They set
their minds on specific reasons to be
grateful. They express it when possible. And they quickly discover there is always, always, something to be grateful for.
2. Carry a smile. A smile is a wonderful beautifier. But more than that, studies indicate that
making an emotion-filled face carries influence over the feelings
processed by the brain. Our facial expression can influence our brain
in just the same way our brains influence our face. In other words,
you can actually program yourself to experience happiness by choosing to
smile. Not to mention, all the pretty smiles you’ll receive in return
for flashing yours is also guaranteed to increase your happiness level.
3. Speak daily affirmation into your life.
Affirmations are positive thoughts accompanied with affirmative beliefs
and personal statements of truth. They are recited in the first person,
present tense
(“I am…”). Affirmations used daily can release
stress, build confidence, and improve outlook. For maximum
effectiveness, affirmations should be chosen carefully, be based in
truth, and address current needs. Here is a list of
100 daily affirmations to help you get started.
4. Wake up on your terms. Most of us have alarm
clocks programmed because of the expectations of others: a workplace, a
school, or a waking child. That’s probably not going to change. But that
doesn’t mean we have to lose control over our mornings in the process.
Wake up just a little bit early and establish an empowering,
meaningful, morning routine. Start each day
on your terms. The next 23 hours will thank you for it.
5. Hold back a complaint. The next time you want to
lash out in verbal complaint towards a person, a situation, or yourself,
don’t. Instead, humbly keep it to yourself. You’ll likely diffuse an
unhealthy, unhappy environment. But more than that, you’ll experience
joy by choosing peace in a difficult situation.
6. Practice one life-improving discipline. There is
happiness and fulfillment to be found in personal growth. To know that
you have intentionally devoted time and energy to personal improvement
is one of the most satisfying feelings you’ll ever experience. Embrace
and practice at least one act of self-discipline each day. This could be
exercise, budgeting, or guided-learning… whatever your life needs today
to continue growing. Find it. Practice it. Celebrate it.
7. Use your strengths. Each of us have natural
talents, strengths, and abilities. And when we use them effectively, we
feel alive and comfortable in our skin. They help us find joy in our
being and happiness in our design. So embrace your strengths and choose
to operate within your giftedness each day. If you need to find this
outlet outside your employment, by all means, find this outlet.
8. Accomplish one important task. Because happy
people choose happiness, they take control over their lives. They don’t
make decisions based on a need to pursue joy. Instead, they operate out
of the satisfaction they have already chosen. They realize there are
demands on their time, helpful pursuits to accomplish, and important
contributions to make to the world around them. Choose one important
task that you can accomplish each day. And find joy in your
contribution.
9. Eat a healthy meal/snack. We are spiritual,
emotional, and mental beings. We are also physical bodies. Our lives
cannot be wholly separated into its parts. As a result, one aspect
always influences the others. For example, our physical bodies will
always have impact over our spiritual and emotional well-being.
Therefore, caring for our physical well-being can have significant
benefit for our emotional standing. One simple action to choose
happiness today is to eat healthy foods. Your physical body will thank
you… and so will your emotional well-being.
10. Treat others well. Everyone wants to be treated
kindly. But more than that, deep down, we also want to treat others with
the same respect that we would like given to us. Treat everyone you
meet with kindness, patience, and grace.
The Golden Rule
is a powerful standard. It benefits the receiver. But also brings
growing satisfaction in yourself as you seek to treat others as you
would like to be treated.
11. Meditate. Find time alone in solitude. As our world increases in speed and noise, the ability to withdraw
becomes even more essential.
Studies
confirm the importance and life-giving benefits of meditation. So take
time to make time. And use meditation to search inward, connect
spiritually, and improve your happiness today.
12. Search for benefit in your pain. This life can
be difficult. Nobody escapes without pain. At some point—in some way—we
all encounter it. When you do, remind yourself again that the trials may
be difficult, but they will pass. And search deep to find meaning in
the pain. Choose to look for the benefits that can be found in your
trial. At the very least, perseverance is being built. And most likely,
an ability to comfort others in their pain is also being developed.
Go today. Choose joy and be happy. That will make two of us.
