An amazing life

I spent the past 31 days reciting a positive affirmation each morning. I practice Bikram yoga, attend church, volunteer my time, share laughter with friends and family, work in a field I’m passionate about and engage in fulfilling hobbies. I wake up every day and choose happiness, yet I seem to be missing something. Through Family Share and its 15 steps to ensure an amazing life, however, I discovered a few missing links.

1. Connect with yourself and others
2. Live in the present
3. Always create
4. Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”
5. Choose a mentor wisely
6. Give your body the gift of rest and relaxation
7. Eat for happiness (skip processed foods, enjoy healthy fats)
8. Cleanse your body
9. Cleanse your mind
10. Cleanse your spirit
11. Establish healthy boundaries
12. Let go of anything that doesn’t serve you
13. Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely)
14. It’s a practice, not a perfect
15. Help others

Where do you miss the mark?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Living with intent

[Image credit: samarttiw]

 

In my post A recipe for happiness, I list three essentials to happiness in life: something to do, something to love and something to hope for. With that in mind, I began my 30-day happiness challenge a week ago, each day seeking out one thing that makes me happy. I’ve discovered that 1) it requires me to live my life with intent—purposing to keep my eyes open and look for happiness; 2) it’s sometimes hard to pick only one thing that makes me happy  (not a bad problem to have) and 3) the “things” I attribute to my happiness aren’t always tangible. One morning I volunteered my time and I was “high” with happiness all afternoon and evening. Another day I spent several hours networking at a writer’s convention. What I look forward to the most upon waking is first I set my intention to be happy, and then I allow that attitude to carry me throughout the day.

In what ways do you live with intent?

A recipe for happiness

 

[Image Credit: digitalart]

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are
Something to do, something to love,
And something to hope for. ~ Joseph Addison

With April 1 around the corner, so are two 30-day personal challenges I’ve set up for myself: make a different salad every day and do something [new] each day that makes me happy. I’ve been reflecting on the latter and drafted a quick list for starters. Although subject to change—depending on my mood and the circumstances—here’s what happiness looks like to me:

1. Iced green tea latte with soy.
2. Volunteer my time.
3. Practice Bikram yoga.
4. Read something for fun.
5. Plan a trip.

The beginnings of a simple list, really. One that makes me realize how easy it is for happiness to become a regular habit. As long as I have something to do, something to love and something to hope for, I’ve got my recipe for a lifetime of happiness.

What are your essentials to being happy every day?

Surviving the holidays

[Image credit: digitalart]

Last December I celebrated my birthday over the course of 12 days (the 12 days of Chrissy).  Each day I did one thing to honor the day of my birth.  For example, one evening I soaked in a bubble bath while reading and sipping on a glass of Choco Noir.  Dinner and live music one night and a lunch date with my co-workers also contributed to the fun.  I thought of doing it again this year, but I’m considering trying something different.  Like volunteering my time.  And instead of spending a lot of money on Christmas gifts that we either end up returning or don’t really need to begin with, I think it would be rewarding to adopt a family who requires assistance.  Usually I enter this time of year — birthday and Christmas — with mixed feelings (the commercialism doesn’t help).  But this year I’m actually looking forward to the holidays.  Maybe it has to do with taking the focus off me.

What’s your secret to surviving the holidays?