HAPPINESS - PART 2 OF 4

Welcome back and I hope you all had a good week!

I thought it would be good to start off with feedback from some of my clients and family members on what happiness means to them. Here are a few of their responses:

This is from my client, Michelle:

‘Happiness is the essence of authenticity. Being true to yourself; your hopes, your fears, your dreams and those around you.’

This is from my Father, Tim:

‘First and foremost happiness is inward; it is peace of mind and heart with contentment;

Happiness is to see and make people that I meet both laugh and smile;

Happiness is my reward; knowing that I am partaking in and being able to impart higher energy;

Happiness is living in good health;

Happiness is being able to partake of and commune with nature’s wonderful energy;

Happiness is being free of fear and worry. Knowing categorically that death has no hold on me;

Happiness if thankfulness for my present life without any regrets or wishing I could have changed any aspect of it;

Happiness if freedom – being free of guile, jealousy and malice – especially being free of the compulsion to have to control other people’s life;

My happiness is NOT influenced or affected by how others perceive me;

Happiness encompasses so many other and even more important permanent fruits topped by love.’

Now visualize what makes you happy. Write down the things that will bring your inner and outer success in life and things you need to do to create a happiness check list. Start with the little things you know you can do each day that will bring you joy. Then move on to accomplish greater things on your happiness check list.

I said I would share The Happiness Test results with you. My score came to 82 and here are my results:

'Score of 68 to 83 points: Getting there – This is a healthy score. If you want to take your happiness score to the next level, you need to recognize the difference between chasing after happiness and choosing happiness. Happiness is not outside you; it’s not a destination; and it’s not about “getting there.” When you stop chasing happiness, you allow yourself to be more present, more available and more open. This way you find happiness wherever you are.'

How did you score? What are your thoughts about your results?

For me, the above hits home. I am reminded to be even more present and have parameters in place to maintain my happiness. With that in mind here are some simple tips that work for me and I hope they help you as well.

-       Develop positive HABIT’s, (refer back to my blog on HABIT’s.) Commit to one; notice the results. That sense of accomplishment will boost self-esteem, motivating you to acquire other good habits.

-       Choose your attitude. Choice is a powerful thing. Set an intention to be happy today. Decide to make today even more enjoyable than you thought it was going to be.

-       Be grateful. Appreciate what you have and not what you think you want.

-       Relax and remember to have fun! We get so caught up in everyday pressures, we forget the meaning of relaxing and having a good time.

-       Look after yourself and your well-being!  Exercise. You'll sleep better and worry less (it's hard to fret when you're focused on lunges). Keep it up to increase your endorphins for a sense of well-being.

-       Remember to live in the present. Not the past or the future BUT NOW! Savour the everyday and your views on life will become more positive.

Next week I will share with you how fitness has been an integral part to my happiness and how it’s formed who I am today.