Remember that song?
Do you need more happiness in your
life? About a gazillion books, articles,
podcasts, etc. have been written to give you advice about how to go about
getting that. This past year, I think,
has taught us that our happiness can be snuffed out by things outside our
control. And if you listen to the news
media much these days, it seems we hear more bad news than good...that the
world (or at least our country) is spinning in the wrong direction. Of course, if we dwell on that too much it
can sap every ounce of happiness we can conjure up. Many people have been in a state of
depression and some still are due to all that has been happening around us.
I am trying to learn to find happiness in even the small things. We don’t have to drown in stress and sadness...there are things we can do to turn our frowns upside down, big and little things that we can do to find the JOY in life that each of us needs.
How about these little things?
*GET OUT IN NATURE
Take a walk...or a long hike if you are up
to it. Dig in the garden...and use those
earthworms you find to go fishing. Take
your child, grandchild, or dog to the park or a playground...and play on the
swings while you are there:) Spending
30 minutes or more a week in green spaces can help lower blood pressure and
depression, according to a 2016 study.
*FIND TIME TO BE WITH Y-O-U
*COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Be grateful.
Studies have shown that being grateful actually has health benefits and
leads to a feeling of hope and happiness.
We can be thankful for the BIG things...like our families, our homes,
our successes. But there are SOOOO many
“little” things we can find to be grateful for:
wildflowers along the side of the road, a rainbow, a good cup of coffee
(or a bowl of ice cream which would be my choice), finding a penny on the
ground. The more we look for positive
things in our lives, the more we will see them.
*EMBRACE RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness)
Research has shown that performing RAKs can
help us feel happier and more satisfied with our lives...have you ever wondered
who comes up with ideas to research things like this (or who pays for
them)??? Thank the cashier for her
service, compliment a co-worker on his spiffy bowtie or her new dress, bake
cookies for the mailperson (trying to be politically correct here) or the trash
collector, or send a friend a gift card anonymously (of course, this could
drive them nuts trying to figure out who sent it:)
Most of us could use a little more JOY and a
few more SMILES in our lives. Try some
of these ideas...you might like them!
Wishing you so much HAPPINESS you “bust” at
the seams!
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now!
