7 ways to create happiness and joy in your life

I recently bade a sad farewell to a very dear friend who had been the epitome of happy thinking and contented living who spread childlike joy like confetti wherever she went.

 

We giggled often about how we make our own happiness by choosing to be happy taking the view that life is 10% What happens 90% How we react to it.

 

It’s really empowering to recognize circumstances, however daunting or overwhelming, do not create your life. You are the one in control of your attitude and together we conjoured up a list of 7 ways to cultivate happiness and lighten our days.

 

Historically we were both familiar with life feeling like an endurance test and how constantly regurgitating fearful thoughts stripped us of our clarity. How imagining the worst is like a one of those magnets you see in the cartoons – helplessly drawing you ever closer to what you don’t want.

 

However, as complementary health practitioners bathed in the joys of EFT and energy medicine we happily absorbed the scientifically proven premise – When you choose to look on the brighter side of life, natural mood enhancing, feel good chemicals like Serotonin, Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Endorphins flood into your bloodstream and literally make you feel like a different person.

Your inner beliefs are a reflection of what you alone need to focus on.

 

So even when not feeling your best – remember –

[bctt tweet=”Begin looking for your best and expecting the best (even if you don’t believe it at first)” username=”SallyCanning”]

will lift your thoughts and consequently your energy.

 

If you can’t think of a happy place imagine your most fortunate place. Take a mental snapshot. Feel it. Focus attention on it and enjoy your body’s natural response.

 

 

1. Always, always, always appreciate

 

Appreciation is a mindful concept – it’s about being able to see clearly and acknowledge what’s going on in your life right now, whereas, Gratitude is about being thankful for what you have.

 

Both Appreciation and Gratitude are instant ways of shifting your happiness vibe in an upward direction.

 

 

2. Bliss builder

   – keep photos or your mementos of your most memorable moments in one folder – keep expanding it and keep it handy for easy access.

 

It’s a wonderful to lift you up on blue days and a great reminder too. It’s so easy not to remember how awesome some of your achievements or special moments have been.

 

3. Cheer

 

Make a diary of your Daily Delights from every day experiences.

 

This is so much fun. Even if it’s just for a day record the little things that delight you and make you smile … the little things that when truly notice them are more than you thought – like the sound of birdsong, children’s laughter, sunshine. Do it all day long. Read through it at the end of the day – how does it make you feel?

 

 

 

4. Generate Gladness

   – be the cause of cheer and scintillation

What can you do to lift your own heart and/or make someone smile today?

 

 

5. Laughter Ledger

 

– Keep an account book but rather than credits and debits put moments of mirth and merriment.

Have you ever actually noticed what makes you smile and brings you moments of happiness?

 

 

6. Positive People – Surround yourself with them

 

It makes a massive difference to how we feel as well as what you’re able to achieve. There’s nothing like having a community of cheerleaders to spur you on in moments of doubt.

Apparently you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

So as Oprah says “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher”

 

 

7. Peaceful Practice – Prepare for a more peaceful existence

Limit your access to the news and tabloids. Instead choose uplifting publications and recordings. Watch your mindset and well being flourish.

 

 

I totally acknowledge that life is often a challenge but it’s up to us to recognize and seize opportunities for daring adventures. Choose one or more practice from the list. Play with them. See what suits you best.

 

Remember it’s your story, your book.

 

Your life is your script

 

Every word, every actions you do or don’t take is what you make of it.

You can say “I am leading my life” or “I am letting my life lead me”

 

Share in the Joy.

Do it for yourself

Pay it forward.

Do any of these appeal to you?

How do you create or share joy in your own life?

 

An edited version of this article first appeared on

www.sixtyandme.com