So often I hear people say, “I’m in such a bad mood and I don’t even know why” I must confess to having felt that way before. This can be a rather perfect scenario for being happy. Now you may be wondering if I have completely lost my mind. While that has yet to be determined, at least let me explain my last statement. When it comes to adding more joy to your life, as with any worthwhile goal, one of the greatest challenges lies in just knowing how. Let’s face it, if there was a simple step by step plan to a happy life, wouldn’t we all follow it? One of the greatest challenges I have had in both putting together both this website and my book is people are different. What makes one person happy, well it may not work for the next person. So how can we discover what truly makes us happy and develop a formula to continually accomplish that? I have two suggestions and they are complete opposites and involve thinking backwards. Now before I loose everyone completely, let’s take a step back. Here is the first method. Even in the darkest of lives there are moments if not days when things just seem to be going your way. Think back have you ever had one of those days where you are just happy with the world? Here is a suggestion, try retracing your steps. What do I mean? Simple, start from how you are feeling and work back through your day. Perhaps you had completed a project you were working on? Maybe you brought a smile to the face of a friend or even a complete stranger. Maybe you just finished listening to one of your favorite songs on the radio, or working out. It will be different for everyone, and there may be a few things in there that just seem kind of crazy, but if they lead you to happiness…who cares! The point here is to look at what makes up a great day for you. Perhaps write them down on a list, or in a person journal (more on that in later in the week). Ok, so perhaps you haven’t had one of those days in a while? Maybe you can’t remember what made you so happy, or just want to enjoy the feeling without trying to figure it out. Fair enough. Even if you find yourself having a miserable day, it is cause to get excited! Why would feeling miserable be anything to be excited about you may ask. This is why, it works the same way as being happy. If you’re having a bad day, stop and think about all the things that transpired to bring you to that point. Make a list of those things too. Not only will you come up with a list of things you would do well to eliminate from your life, but if you look at the opposite of those things, you have the seeds for what will make you happy. So even knowing what you dislike can be a very healthy thing. If you were to say, I dislike all the negative people I run into. You will know limiting your exposure to negative people might be something you wish to work on. You may also phrase it as “adding more positive people to my life would make it better”. So as this week continues, try thinking backwards and form a plan for your own happiness. A plan that would be as unique as the person writing it!
Tag: Books
THE POWER OF ONE…
I am a big fan of simple random acts of kindness. I am also a fan of surrounding myself with positive books, cds and other inspirational items to be enjoyed at any given moment. That is why I am happy to tell you about the book ‘The Power of One’ by Steve Maraboli. In this fabulous book there is simply 365 things to try to bring kindness to the world. Presumably one per day of the year. Of course you could do more than one a day, or do one a week. The important point here is that there are several good ideas for bringing kindness to others. If you are unable to find or afford this book, fear not, I am going to be sharing a few of these ideas in the coming days. I do recommend picking up a copy of you are able to as it is also sprinkled with great uplifting quotes and inspiration. The principle the book is based on is ‘one kind gesture, one person at a time, one day at a time’ It may seem like a small idea until you realize how many ‘ones’ you see every day. Imagine if every person you saw on any given day would do just one kind thing and you can begin to get an appreciation for the power of this idea. Speaking of ideas it may also be fun to form a list of your own ideas. Simple ideas of selfless kindness you can do for others. You’ll be amazed at the power of one, especially when you realize the one is you.
HOW DO I BEGIN??
Confession time. I have a terrible flaw. When beginning any project I tend to think ten steps in advance. I worry about what will happen months, sometimes years down the road. On several occasions this overwhelms me to the point I fail to even begin. On my road to self discovery I am learning to address and understand that as time goes on. In fact, had I not this blog would not exist. Which, some of you tell me would not be a good thing and I thank you for that.
The point of this confession? Is that I can understand when people tell me that in today’s world it just seems to difficult to achieve, much less maintain a positive outlook. What do they do about all the crabby people they encounter(more on that in another post) or how do they balance being informed without subjecting themselves to the negativity of their local paper or the evening news (also a subject to be addressed later this week) “It seems just to hard and hopeless I don’t even know where to begin” one lady recently told me. Well, thanks to some wise words from a dear old friend I was reminded of a great place that makes it fun and easy to start. One of my favorite books I have read in the last few years. Don’t worry for those of you who do not like to read it is also available on audio book. Even better, there is also a dvd! What is the title of this collection? “The Secret” I’m sure several of you have heard about it, and some of you may have not. personally if you can I recommend picking up all three as there is something to be gained from each different format. If you are not sure, or do not have the time or funds to dedicate to all three I strongly suggest starting with the movie. Imagine sitting down with a big bowl of popcorn, or your other favorite snack, putting in dvd, relaxing on your couch and in a mere two hours you can be on your way to beginning a more positive life. Now the movie is more about the law of attraction, but once you watch it you can see how close the topics of the law of attraction and living a positive life are connected. It also does a fine job of explaining why feeling good is so important and offers suggestions to help you to that end. I encourage you to watch it with at least one other person if you are able as it could become a fun and interesting conversation for years to follow. If you are unable to find a friend to watch it with you feel free to discuss it here with myself or other followers of this site as we are all here to help each other on the path.
WRITE YOUR EULOGY
You may wonder what such a title is doing in a blog about living a positive and rewarding life? Throughout the course of my life I have read a great deal of self-improvement/law of attraction type books. A lot of times ideas and thoughts are repeated in slighty different ways. Which is good. It let’s you know what seems to be working for a great deal of different people. Once in a while, however, you come across a fresh idea which you haven’t heard before. This is one such time. Do you ever wonder, “Is this what I should be doing with my life?” or “How do I know what the right path is for me?”. I know I have. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a way to see if what you are currently doing matches your values and priorities? There is! I prefer to call this ‘Keeping the end in mind’. Sit down and prepare to write your own eulogy. What would you want said about you at your memorial service? Was it that you were a good parent and raised your children in a loving fashion? Then family would be a great value to you. Perhaps it is that you showed kindness to everyone you met. Then compassion would be a trait that is of great importance to you. Truth is, when we decide what legacy we would like to leave behind it gives our lives purpose and us a sense of direction. If a eulogy seems a bit to dark for you, then try imagining what they would say at an awards presentation. personally I like the eulogy as it also serves to remind us that time is one of the most precious commodities and we should spend it doing what we love and what bring joy and love to the rest of the world. So ask yourself, “what would I want them to say about me?” You’ll never wonder if you’re on the right path again.
ATTRACT MONEY NOW!!!
This is a title of a book by Dr. Joe Vitale. You may remember him from the movie “The Secret”. This is not a blog about making money, but about living a more rewarding life. Well it is true money can’t buy happiness, let’s be honest, it can make life a lot less stressful. The reason I mentioned this book is that the author has agreed to make the online copy free to readers of this blog. The book itself is filled with both practical and metaphysical ideas for attracting abundance to you. I encourage all of my readers to check it out. At the price of free, what do you have to lose? Please let me know what you think. It is another great tool to lead a positive and rewarding life!
THE OPTIMIST CREED
Quite often I am asked if there are any “quick fixes” for starting or maintaining a positive rewarding life, well here is something I believe can truly help. First published in 1912 in a book titled “Your Forces and How to Use Them” I encourage everyone to print this off and read it every morning upon waking, and every night before retiring to start and end the day on a good note, with good focus.
THE OPTIMIST CREED
Promise yourself…
to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the bestl.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deads.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
weather you take a line a day or try to do it all, this is a great tool to help us all remain positive and bring light and love to the world!
SECRET 2 AN AMAZING LIFE 