Happiness Simplified

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Most of my posts/blogs recently have a common thread how being happy is simple.  Simplify your life.  Simplify your stuff.  Prioritize your happiness.  I had a few people tell me that it is not that simple!  That life is complicated.  Yes, it can be, but that is usually because that as humans we have made it that way.  We have this wonderful thing called Free Will.  This means that in any moment we can change the direction of of lives.  It could be a tiny change or a complete overhaul!  Your choice.  It could be emotionally, spiritually, physically, or all three.  I came across this great post on a blog called Marc and Angel Hack Life.  This post is by Marc.  You can find the original post HERE.

He boiled it down to 10 actions that will bring happiness every time.  I could not find a way to disagree with any of them.  Here is his list with a few add-on comments from me:

Starting today…

1. Appreciate what you have. – If we counted our blessings instead of our money, we would all be a lot richer.  Happiness is there if you want it to be.  You just have to see that it’s wrapped in beauty and hidden delicately between the seconds of your life.  If you never stop for a minute to notice, you might miss it.  Read The Happiness Project.  DC- And he is not talking about stuff.  We are talking relationships and experiences here!
2. Focus on things that truly matter. – The simple fact that you are even here, alive, on this planet is a divine miracle, and you should not spend the time you have being busy, being miserable.  Every moment you get is a gift, so stop focusing on unhappy things, and spend your moments on things that truly matter to your heart.  DC- Again, experiences and authentic relationships, not stuff.  Be present today.  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow!
3. Define your own meaning of life, and pursue it. – What is the meaning of life?  Whatever you want it to be.  Don’t fear failure; fear a lifetime of mediocrity due to lack of effort and commitment.  There are so many people out there who will tell you that you CAN’T.  What you need to do is turn around and say, “Watch me!”  DC-  The naysayers are the ones who have already given up on their own dreams.  Run, don’t walk, as fast as you can away from these people (see #7).  Your idea of an ideal life does not have to conform to anyone else’s expectations for yourself.  Not your parents, kids, friends and family, etc.  Only yours!
4. Embrace life’s challenges. – You may think that taking a detour in life is a waste of time and energy, but you can also see the detour as a means of learning more about who you are and where you are heading in your life.  Being off the beaten path may be disorienting and confusing at times, yet it challenges your creative spirit to discover new ways to build a stronger YOU.  In the end, it’s usually the tough situations that feel like your tomb that actually become your cocoon.  Hang in there.  You’re coming out of this stronger and wiser.  DC-Through adversity comes strength and growth.  Do not be afraid to fail gloriously!
5. Find the balance that allows you to be who you truly are. – Your worst battle is between what you know and what you feel.  One of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make is when to stay put and try harder or when to just take your memories and move on.  Sometimes you have to step outside of the person you’ve been, and remember the person you were meant to be, the person you are capable of being, and the person you truly are.  DC- Trust your journey.  Follow your heart.  Life is a wonderful combination of fate/destiny and free will to make choices along that path.  You will get there.  Keep moving forward!
6. Love your body enough to take care of it. – You’re beautiful; but keep in mind that not everyone is going to see that.  Never be ashamed of yourself because you are born into one skin.  You can scar it, stretch it, burn it, mark it, tan it, and peel it.  But you are always in it, so you might as well take care of it and learn to love it.  Read The 4-Hour Body.  DC-  Your body is your vessel for this 100-year journey through this life.  It is capable of amazing things.  Treat it well.  Use it.  Feed it clean wholesome foods.  It is the only one you get!
7. Limit your time with negative people. – You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.  So protect your spirit and potential from contamination by limiting your time with negative people.  DC-  I will go a step further.  Do not limit, ELIMINATE your time and exposure to negative people.  Choose to spend your time with people who share and embrace your positive energy and enthusiasm for life.
8. Treat others the way you want to be treated. – Be conscious of your attitude and your actions.  You may be on top of the world right now – feeling untouchable.  You may have all the tools at your disposal to do and say whatever you want.  But remember, life is a circle – what goes around, comes around eventually.  DC-  Karma baby!  Everyone you meet is fighting a battle on some front to be their best self.  Show them all kindness.
9. Set a good example. – If you want to empower others in your life, you need to start living the most empowered version of yourself first.  You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.  Believe in what you want so much that it has no choice but to become your reality.  And don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else; stay focused on your own journey and leave footprints behind.  Read The Four Agreements.  DC-  You never know who you may inspire by your actions.  Think about the people who have inspired you.  Let them know how they impacted you positively.  Happiness and inspiration are contagious.  Pass it along!
10. Accept what is, and live for the possibilities that lie ahead. – Never waste your time wondering about what might have been.  Get busy thinking about what still might be, and trusting that however it plays out, it will leave you glad that what might have been, never came to be.  DC-  Be present in this amazing gift of a day you have today and have a positive expectation for all tomorrow and your future can be.  Aim high, dream big, set your course, and make it happen!  Be flexible along the way trusting that you will arrive where you are meant to be at the right time.  Embrace all the sweetness life has to offer.

Me.  Happy!

So there it is:  Some tenets of happiness simplified.  Do a quick self-inventory of your own actions and attitudes and see where you can improve on any of these.  Pick just one for today.  Happiness is a choice, an intention.  Live you life with a purposeful intention to be happy!