What Makes You Happy?

Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes you happy?

If you take the time to reflect on those things that make you happy, you may discover a new you.  You also might discover what you think makes you happy may not always work.  When one examines their life and takes the time to ask the most appropriate questions, you may discover a new path of happiness.

Questions like, “Am I happy?” are a great start.  As you continue to examine, you may ask “Is this an activity that I like?”  “Could I be doing something better?”

Looking at your ‘span of control’ may help you find that moment that makes you happy.  Since you have no control over other people, you should start with a core of happiness.

That core you should be looking at should start with you.  Stop trying to make others happy as you travel on life’s journey.  As you work on your core happiness, you will become a driving force of happiness for others to see.  Once they see your happiness, they will ask you “What makes you so happy?”

Once people start noticing your happiness, you will be able to show them your recipe for happiness.  At that time, it will become viral.  It will not stop there, you will have to continue to add and question each day.  As you continue to examine, you will discover the questions you’ll need to ask.   As you ask, you are examining, as you examine you discover.  As you discover, you find a path that you wish to be traveling on.

So where do you start?  I would suggest that you start with your sleep time.  Start going to bed 30 minutes early than normal.  Then set your alarm clock 30 minutes earlier than normal.  When you wake up start with some stretching.  Be very basic, get out of bed, stretch your arms, legs and back. 

Then find a place of peace in your home.  This place is an area where the radio or television are not on, and it is relatively quiet.  Then pray a simple prayer: 

“Dear God, give me the strength to face today, give me the peace that I need to approach everyone with dignity and love, give me the strength to handle all the tasks that I need to accomplish, and above all give me the ability to approach ever situation with a smile and a positive attitude.  All this I pray in Jesus Christ name, Amen.”

Then you should plan your day.  Start with some basic information on a piece of paper.  At the top, write “Breakfast”.  In the middle of the page, write “Lunch”.  Closer to the bottom of the page write, “Dinner”.  Then look at your calendar and fill in the meetings that you are required to have and any appointment that exists on your schedule on the left side of the paper. 

Then take a few minutes to ask yourself, “As I perform and accomplish these tasks, how can I do them with a smile?”  Be intentional about thinking how you can accomplish these tasks with a smile and how you can perform them with a happy attitude.

And one thing you should do.  Write somewhere on that paper, “NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I WILL NOT LET SOMEONES NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OR COMMENTS BRING ME DOWN TO AN UNHAPPY LEVEL.”

At the end of your day, take some time before your bedtime.   Schedule 30 minutes of reflection in that place you began this morning.  Turn off all the noise and sit there in peace and take your hand written schedule.  Examine how you did and ask, “Did I do everything with a smile and a positive attitude?”  You might discover your own questions to ask as you reflect on your day.

As you do this for a day or two, you will realize that you need to actually schedule this time everyday.  And remember, just because it is the weekend, it should not stop you from having the same reflective moments.

As you venture on your new path of happiness, remember that the task will not be easy.  You will not change overnight, neither will everything change on your first day.  Take your time and remember that after 30 days, you may notice some changes.