Don't Worry, Be Happy

Don't worry, be happy...easier said than done.  If we find ourselves wondering if we will ever be happy we need to keep something in mind.  Being happy takes practice.

How do we practice being happy if we don't feel happy?  We can start by attempting to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  Does this mean we stick our head in the sand and pretend everything is perfect in our world?? No, this means we recognize that we are having difficulties, but instead of falling into despair over the situation, we look for something positive to focus on and that is what we hang on to.  We fill our mind with positive thoughts and visions rather than negative frightening ones. 

We may have to make a real effort to cut down on the negativity we are exposed to in our world.  Look for positive, uplifting people to be around,  cut back on our exposure to negativity on TV or radio stations, read books that help us to feel better and uplift us or help us to learn something. 

They say misery loves company.  If you don't want to be miserable, don't keep company with those who do.
We can continue to love and support negative people, but we don't have to get down and play in the mud with them....in other words, don't join in with their negativity or buy into it.

If we have to be in situations with negative people on a daily basis, such as at our job and can't avoid it, then WE should do our best to be the positive in the situation. Instead of falling in to being angry at the person who is negative or judgmental towards them, we can send them love and try to point out the positives we see to contradict their negatives.  It may have no effect on them what so ever, but WE will feel better for not falling into our own negative thoughts.

Most importantly we should start looking for what helps us to feel happy and we should do it.  Find a creative outlet for ourselves.  If we love to write, write, if we enjoying painting or knitting, do that, if we like to plant flowers or build wooden bird houses, put puzzles together, do that.  Find something constructive and healthy that brings us joy it doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming it can be as simple as cooking or coloring in a color book.

It would also be helpful to connect with other people.  Find a way to reach out to others in some way.  Say hi to the people we meet on the streets.  Start up a random conversation with someone in the grocery store.  Make a small comment to the person who takes our money  at the gas station. Show the people around us that we see them, wish them a good day and give them a smile.  It will brighten our day and theirs too.  If someone responds in a negative manner, we shouldn't be offended, we should just smile to ourselves and remember we totally understand how it feels to be grumpy and closed off and send them some extra love vibes.

It's important to get outside for at least 10 minutes every day.  We could take a slow walk, sit on a bench or our steps, do anything outside for at lest 10 minutes a day.  Our bodies need the fresh air, sunshine and connection to the earth.  Get out there and smell those roses!

We also need to remember to take good care of our bodies.  Make sure we are eating healthy foods and most importantly drinking plenty of water. Get plenty of rest.  It will be easier for us to be happy if our bodies are well cared for.  If we treat our bodies like garbage we will feel like garbage.

We have to remember to not judge ourselves and to be gentle, kind, loving and accepting to ourselves as well as those around us. 

It's time to give ourselves permission to have fun and play.  Let's dance through life enjoying it instead of trudging along waiting for it to be over!

Find something to do just for YOU today.