Happiness within comes with small things
Can you remember when you were a child, and life seemed to be weighed out in small sections? The nightmare of bath time was balanced by the joy of getting some candies or having a great hug. Is it me, or are candies a lot smaller now than they were then?
Sometimes, when we’re feeling weighed down by our problems, it pays to remember that happiness can be made, as well as found. It isn’t always the elusive light at the end of the tunnel, which will come to us if we sit and watch it for long enough. There seems to be a trick to finding happiness, which some people somehow know automatically, and manage to turn to their advantage.
Picture this: You’re feeling low, and there’s a lot of pressure in your life. I think you can make a choice at that point to do one of two things. You can either let yourself fall, and indulge the misery that threatens to overpower you. This is often the easiest option, and the one most of us choose, most of the time.
The other option is to be smart about your situation, and find some things to do which help happiness come to you. Here’s my strategy for helping things along:
Be kind to yourself. Often when we feel low, it can be tough to value ourselves. If this is happening, take some time out to spoil yourself. Have a long hot indulgent bath, with a glass of wine and your favourite music, or buy yourself something which you wouldn’t normally choose. It’s amazing how a bit of kindness can make your mood pick up, because this is your way of showing to yourself that you are worth the investment, however small.
Remember just how amazing you are. Whatever is happening in your life, and however you are being treated by others, you are unique and special in your own way. Think back to a time when you felt truly great about yourself, and try to recapture that moment. What was it about that particular time that inspired you? Get it back!
Discover the beauty that lies in small things. When did you last take a walk outside, and pause to really look at everything? Sometimes, happiness can come from the tiniest things, such as breathing in the fresh air, or looking up at the sun, or even just sitting for a while and watching the world unfold in front of you. Little things like a great cup of coffee or playing your favourite song can set you on the way to feeling great again.
Connect with people. It’s a sad fact that depression seems to make us want to hide from the world, but in truth this can be the most damaging thing we can do. Instead, get out there and find some company. Sharing how you feel with trusted friends and family can halve your burden, and if you can find your way to laughter things will start to look much brighter very soon.
The secret of happiness is not just one thing. There are so many different ways to reach it. It is a state we can arrive at, and maintain permanently, there are lots of little things we can use to be happy more often than not. Happiness is a choice and we have to find those little things that help us maintain our happiness within when need.
If you have any tips for people about how to beat the blues and stay positive, let me know and I’ll share them here.
Remember the small things and be blessed with happiness
Debbie
Debbie, good points here for increasing happiness.
I’m all in favor of genuine happiness. However, I think there are occasional times when we should let ourselves feel sadness, especially for big things like deaths of loved ones.
.-= John Soares´s last blog ..Google Page Rank 2 Just 28 Days After Creating This Blog =-.
John, I totally agree with you. When we are feeling sadness, because of a lose that is an emotion that must be felt. Have you ever been to a funeral where everyone is sad, but then they start talking about the person and remembering all the good memories and they can smile or laugh? Grieving is a process we must go through to keep our happiness. Sometimes we are happier if we have a good cry.
Thanks John for bring that up, because it is part of staying happy. Letting ourselves feel human emotions when needed.
Have a very Happy weekend
Debbie
Just did a one-day workshop about love and communication in San Francisco yesterday with my partner Stephanie.
Several people there had some major things going on in life — illness, impending or recent deaths of family members — and they were able to feel the sadness of these major events and yet feel joy and happiness about being alive just a few moments later.
.-= John Soares´s last blog ..Google Page Rank 2 Just 28 Days After Creating This Blog =-.
That is one of the big keys to happiness. Knowing that it is OK to feel other emotions, but still be happy. Feel the sadness these people were feeling, but then they could look at the positive side of life.
You and Stephanie must have done a really good job at the workshop. Good for you John.
Take care and may you always be blessed with happiness.
Debbie
I’ve actually been practicing the “connect with others” suggestion in you article for about a month now.
As a life coach, I connect deeply with clients everyday yet I’ve found more recently that I haven’t been connecting with the people in my personal life as much as I used to.
So, I set the intention to practice “sisterhood”, “community”, “taking an interest” and other personal values… My personal friendships are re-forming, I truly am feeling more connected… and indeed, happier.
.-= Susan Liddy´s last blog ..Coaching Tip: Quieting the Negative Those Voices =-.
Sometimes we do get so busy that we forget the most important people in our lives. We take them for granted. Glad you are getting that back in balance. Sometimes it can be really hard to keep things in balance.
Great job Susan, I like the way you keep looking forward to keep the balance.
Debbie
Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing this inspiring article. I am deeply touch with the message. It made me remember those happy moment in my life when i was still a kid. This made me also to realize that happiness isn’t expensive, they can even be found in the most simplest thing in our day to day life.
.-= vince @ bonnie and clyde costumes´s last blog ..Bonnie and Clyde Halloween Costumes =-.
Hi Vince and Bonnie,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is the simple things in life that make us happy. Happiness is just like the air we breath and we just have to take the time in breath it in.
You have a wonderful weekend and may happiness always follow you and yours.
Debbie
This is inspirational post, even small things or a simple things happen to your life you will treasure it, because God allow it to be happen. Great I like it.
Hi, Debbie thank you for sharing us good luck!
.-= Sam@Flatter Stomach´s last blog ..Get Rid Belly Fat – Green Tea And Belly Fat – Six Pack Abs On Women =-.
Hi Sam,
Thank you Sam for your kind words. I do believe I have found so much happiness in my life, because of God help, which I am very grateful for. Thank you for sharing and have a very happy day and all the days to come.
Debbie
While reading this article I just realized that I’ve been to serious in my life. Well I should say that I’ve found happiness in my life since I have a successful marriage and have a son but cannot compare when I was a kid. Those days where I thought that life is just having fun. Thanks for sharing this article. It started me to acknowledge that everyday we have blessed in so many things which make us to be happy.
Hi Dorothy,
Glad that the article was of help to you. Sometimes I even have to watch myself so I don’t take life so serious. Where I live we had some people in the mountains that just lost there houses, because of wild fires. These people have learned that what is important are the small things and the love of others. When it comes to kids these days I do believe that we need to let them have more fun instead of pushing them to learn, learn, learn. It is amazing what we learned just by playing outside and using our minds.
The blessing we have in our lives very day is what is important and makes for happiness.
Sounds like you have a beautiful marriage and family. May you be blessed with happiness always.
Debbie
Twitter: http://www.panicattacktreatment.net/
says:
One of the simplest and quickest ways to turn a negative and sour mood into a more positive one is to be grateful.
You are right when it comes to changing your mood. Gratitude will work every time. Thank you for stopping by.
Debbie
Hello,
we should be kind of ourselves and also for others….. and small things or a simple things happen to your life you will treasure it, because God allow it to be happen.
Jac Evans recently posted..5 Fixed Blade Hunting Knives Everyone Should Own
Hi Jac,
This is very true. There are many things that God allows to happen in a persons life and help them become who and what they are suppose to become.
We just get a little impatient some times to see the end result. It is amazing to me how God can and does work. Like little miracles.
thank you for sharing your thoughts. I do appreciate it.
Blessing to you,
Debbie