Making happiness a top priority in our lives means making better choices. Let’s face it; it’s not easy out there. We’re in a global recession and I can sense the tension in the atmosphere. Apart from the tangible changes such as a cut back on spending, the decrease in property prices and the inclusion of General Motors cutbacks in every edition of the daily news, there is a general sense of anxiety in the air. It seems that many of us are going through major change. So how do we survive? More than that how do learn to surf the waves? I see many clients going through major life changes and often they want to focus on changing the one thing they see as ‘making them unhappy’. “I need to change my job / weight / relationship…and so it goes before I can be happy. The truth it’s the other way around; we make positive choices when we feel happy. How do we feel happy in the midst of chaos? It’s in the little things. Today when I woke up I saw my cat Samwise I smiled. I went for a run and as I ran I just felt the wind cool on my skin, I watched the sun rise and felt alive. Standing in the hot shower afterwards soothed my bones and then as I walked to my car I noticed a whole bunch of white roses. I started this practice when I was going through my divorce. Although I was broke, in a job that I hated and felt completely alone in the world, I woke up one day and decided that I had to find small things in my life that made a difference. Looking at the roses was one of those things. Going for a run made me feel better about my then overweight body. Making new friends and spending time with people who lifted my spirit. The more I started doing these things the better I felt and the more I made decisions that were in line with my true vision for myself. And so I started to piece my life back together and before I knew it I had a new job, a new home and new friends.
We often feel like we have to be productive 24-7 but the truth is taking a little time to ‘be’ happy each and every day has the most profound effects on your productivity. So when you wake up tomorrow ask yourself how can I find happiness and joy in my life today? And if it means scheduling in time to take a hot bubble bath or even just a walk then do it. The only moment we truly have is now. Until Next Time Stay Connected Lisa
