“If you truly want to master happiness, go ahead.”
— James McPartland
Happiness is not an amorphous state outside of our control, it's a trainable skill. Most of us look to the future when seeking happiness when it is right here in our own backyard.
Do you want to know the secret to attaining (and sustaining) that seemingly elusive happy place? Will you accept a challenge? Take these three steps for 30 days... c'mon, just do it:)
The 3-Step Happiness System
1. Exercise the muscle of GRATITUDE - 10 repetitions in the mornings and evenings:
> 5 things you are grateful for in your personal life > 5 things you are grateful for in your work 2. Free yourself through FORGIVENESS - a weekly to monthly to quarterly activity:
> Choose the people you believe are in need of forgiveness, including yourself > Recall the moment or the event > Feel the pain > Choose to feel compassion > Ask what it was that you were supposed to learn from the experience > Give thanks for the lesson 3. GIVE - do something for someone who can't repay you > Create a list of people and your idea > Be open to ways of giving yet be specific as to what it will be and for whom > Don't talk yourself out of it - just act > Look for the next opportunity Finally, create a compelling vision for your life. Be clear on where you are starting from as you step towards that created future. Recognize and leverage your unique gifts and talents, enroll others in the journey, and ask for their support. Set yourself up to win.
Life is about progress. When we are grateful for what we have, forgive when we need to, and do things to help others, we can trust progress is being made and that we are on a purposeful path. Creating something bigger than ourselves and allowing ourselves to be stretched in the pursuit of it, opens up new realms of possibility!
I leave you with this, friends: Don't focus on how far you have to go. Instead, look back from time to time, and recognize how far you have come. This practice is bound to restore your gratitude and make you happy each and every day.
