50 Ways to a Happier You!

Happiness. What is it? With well being and contentment to be glad, cheerful, lighthearted, joyful, joyous, satisfied. No matter how you define it, it's a state of "being" - a way to "feel". It's when those pleasure endorphins race through our bodies creating that euphoric state - our natural state of being. Why then, do so many of us race through life in pursuit of it…forever searching?nnnThe Eternal Search Why do so many of us keep searching for happiness and never seem to find it? Sure, there are those fleeting moments or events that bring us joy, but I'm talking about real happiness; the kind that comes from deep inside - who we are, not what we experience. That kind of ultimate happiness is right in front of us, waiting to be embraced again. But alas, we're blind to it. No more! That's about to change…nnnYouthful Joy Do you remember when you were a child, how happiness came so easy, so effortlessly? In fact, you probably didn't give the subject of "happiness" much thought at all. You just were happy. That kind of youthful joy is what I suggest is our natural state. It comes from inside us, not any external event or location. So what happened? As we grew up, we had "responsibilities" thrust on us and were taught to be "practical" and "sensible" and "cautious" - all those things that old, outdated ways of living will tell us we need to be. The problem is, we lose who we are in the process - the essence of where our joy comes from. When we're slotted into a life that doesn't fit with who we are, and what we're meant to be doing in this life (our purpose), happiness seeps out of us like the air out of the tire with a small nail in it. It's a slow leak of our life force, justified with the "that's just the way life is" attitude. It's not - life is meant to be joyous, fun and fulfilling. nnnWho Are You Do you feel like you don't know who you are anymore? If so, that could be the reason you're not experiencing the kind of happiness we're talking about here. But where do you start?

Life Purpose: We all have one. It's what defines our role in life and our way of contributing - another factor in happiness. It's a combination of our passions, talents and character; the calling of our soul. Living life on purpose means we're in harmony with what's most important to us. If you don't know what yours is, begin to explore what matters most to you and what you feel happiest doing. Take time alone to reflect and journal about your insights.

nnReclaiming Joy Ok, you get it. But you're not in touch with your life purpose … yet. What can you do to begin to experience more joy in your life right now? To get immediate relief and escape from stresses in your life…to have FUN! I call them the "50 Ways to a Happier You" Only you know what makes you happy. That unique combination of seeing, experiencing and doing that makes you forget everything else and just be in the moment. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Likely, you've stopped seeing, experiencing and doing those things that bring you joy. Let's bring them back now.

Make a list of 50 things that make you happy. They don't need to cost money, or involve others, or mean that you have to travel to get there - although they can. What's important is that you list the things, even the seemingly small things, that bring you joy. Here's a short list from others who have done this exercise:
• Readingn
• Enjoying my coffee on the pation
• Long drives on winding roadsn
• Fishing with the kidsn
• Taking the dogs for a walkn
• Listening to musicn
• Bubble bathsn
• Travellingn
• Garage sale shoppingn
• Painting

If you can't think of 50 things right now, that's ok. Keep the list with you and add to it when you recall another thing that brings you joy. In the meantime, do something from the list every day, or at the very least, several times a week. nnnnThe more you put yourself in situations that bring you joy, the less that stress takes over. The less stress and more joy, the easier you'll be able to get in touch with your life purpose. Living a life on purpose not only brings you back to happiness, but it's the responsible way to live - by example.