Today is the 2nd UN International Happiness Day. I thought today would be a great day to share my 5 keys to living a happy life.
[getty src=”177983273?et=fcHO-rLXjUqx-O3XkIlKwg&sig=gSVfVsAL_IKeE1-vavBbNGX9SCfTr-ZNANMGWhaBXDw=” width=”507″ height=”407″]Key #1. I learned a long time ago that the only person who is responsible for my happiness is ME! I don’t rely on other people to make me happy. My happiness comes from within. You also shouldn’t make yourself responsible for someone else’s happiness. That is an unfair burden in any relationship.
Key #2. Don’t be so quick to allow someone to steal your joy. My friend sent me an awesome photo yesterday that said “don’t let people pull you into their storm…pull them into your peace!” It resonated with me. I am sure you can recall a time that you were having a great day and then someone comes over and dumps all of their problems into your lap and it immediately changed your mood. Instead of willingly accepting the invitation to that person’s pity party, respectfully decline to attend. Stay positive, tell them you will pray for them and keep moving forward. I know it sounds a bit harsh but as a counselor once told me, if a person knows that they can continue to dump their issues on you, they will continue to do it instead of working to change their situation. Both of you will be miserable in the process. As we all know misery loves company.
Key #3. Do more of what makes you happy. I have found a few simple things in my life that I can do to instantly change my mood if I am feeling a little down. Praying to God, creating something, writing on my blog, and trying something new are just a few of the things I like to do to boost my mood.
Key #4 Change the things in your life that lead to unhappiness. I had one nursing job that I absolutely hated. I dreaded getting ready for work. I called in often because I couldn’t bear the thought of being there. When I arrived, I would sit in the parking lot debating whether I even wanted to go in or if I just wanted to turn around and go home. Some days I would even sit in my car and cry because I absolutely did not enjoy what I was doing. I felt stuck because I knew I needed a job to survive but my emotional health was being sacrificed daily in the name of security. If you know me personally, you know that happiness is one of my top priorities. So one day I decided that I was going to give myself a month to find another job but either way I was going to quit my job by the date I circled on the calendar. I went home everyday and filled out applications and prayed about finding something else. On days off I would call the HR departments and check on the status of my application. I even put in a notice for the date I circled as my last day. A couple of weeks later I got called in for an interview and a few days later I got offered a new position. I was beyond happy. I learned from that experience that it is necessary to work diligently to change things you are not satisfied with to help restore peace and happiness in life. No one else can fix your life for you. You and God have to work the kinks. If you don’t like your job, look for another one. If you are not happy with your financial situation, make a plan and work hard to fix it. If you don’t like where you live, explore new areas and make a plan to move. You get the point. Don’t just settle. I know people who are extremely unhappy because they set in their ways or they are too lazy to change.
Key #5. Choose to be happy! Everyday that you wake up is a blessing. We all have 24 hours in a day to make choices about how we will live that day. I urge you to keep God at the forefront of your life. Wake up with a heart filled with gratitude. Approach each day with positivity. Take time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, great relationships, and nature’s beauty. Find joy in every day because I guarantee you that there is someone in the world who wasn’t granted the same opportunity. Don’t waste your precious life being unhappy. You only have one life here on Earth. Make the most of it.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM&w=560&h=315]What is your key to happiness? Share it in the comments below. Happy International Happiness Day to you all 🙂
love this post! So much truth in it ♥
Thank you Tianna!
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Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any helpful hints for rookie blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
First, thank you so much for your kind words. I would write you a long comment but I feel that your question deserves a dedicated blog post. I will try to post my advice by the end of the week. Thanks for reading!