Happy.
It's what most people would aspire to be in life. We don't lay on our death bed telling our family we wish we had more shoes, spent our life with smaller thighs or that we had worked harder so our home included a walk in robe.
We aspire to be happy.
For some people, happiness is a shack by the beach. For others its an apartment in NYC. Some people value time where as others value space. Happiness can be wealth, the opportunity it brings, especially if you're someone dealing with an ill family member who needs medical attention or the desire to travel the world. Happiness can also be the lack of money for some. It all depends on your outlook, circumstances and attitude.
Different people have different ideas of what constitutes happiness. But if you're someone who thinks they don't value happiness at the highest lever, you're probably on the wrong blog right now!
So, I wanted to give you some little tips that I find useful to bring more joy into my life. Some things that make my days a little brighter and make the difficult times a little easier to bear...
REGARD YOUR PROBLEMS AS OPPORTUNITIES
Instead of viewing your problems or hardships as something to be upset about, think about how you can use the issue as a challenge or project. My husband is amazing at this. When something isn't working he doesn't focus on the obvious change, he focuses on asking the questions that other people aren't. He creates solutions using what is already presented to him. Every time we come across a problem in business, love, home life or health, he takes it on like a new project. And we thrive.
AVOID EXCUSES
I used to always blame everyone for everything. I still do it occasionally (like saying I need energy from sugar because Harper kept me up all night, or that I didn't get my work done because of the construction next door) but what happens when I allow this to consume my reasoning is that I let go of my power. I'm happiest when I take responsibility for everything that happens to me and for me. I no longer allow my clients to blame their 'sugar addiction' for a binge, because this is allowing them to believe that they don't have control. If you have a computer or iPhone in front of you reading this, you're most likely lucky enough to be living in a world where you are in control of what is happening to you. Don't ever allow excuses to take away your power to be happy.
LIVE IN THE MOMENT
Being completely immersed in the present is something that we need to be retrained to do in this world we're living in. Getting caught up in watching the latest episode (or season) of 13 Reasons Why while checking your Instagram feed and eating some left over chocolate is the perfect example of doing everything and experiencing none of it. And on top of being present, take note not to live in the past or the future. Replaying negative events in your mind doesn't make them better or erase them, but focusing on what is happening and savouring the moment will definitely take your mind to a better place.
EAT REAL FOOD
This tip seems so simple but is by far the one that most people struggle with. For reasons like not knowing what to eat, not having simple family friendly recipes, not knowing how to food combine properly, not having time and all the excuses that go along with it, people are skipping real food and ingesting packaged junk in it's place. Eating real food doesn't have to be difficult! But you've got to know why you're doing it. Do you want to feel lighter, have more energy, digest better, look better? If you're really struggling to figure out simple ways to be healthier, check out the HEALTH HUB and get yourself back on track.
Happiness is your journey, it's individual to you so don't try to live someone else's life in order to find happiness. It doesn't work. Figure out what you need, what you desire, in order to be happier.
Then work on that.
Everyday.
