Happy is and Happy does.

Are we truly happy and what is happiness? I find most of us live in a state of frenzied shock. We are scurrying around like little field mice trying to complete 26 hours worth of "must do's" in only 24 hours. We get some of it done, wonder why we don't have those extra hours and then end up losing sleep over the rest. Every so often we all need to sit down take 5 deep breaths (don’t be lazy FIVE breaths, one won’t cut it) and reset our importance roster. You have time to be happy, to do what you want to do and spend time being happy and not run down and tuned out.



momAgenda Day Planner

Step one: plan more, pace less. We spend entirely too much time pacing around worrying about getting things done and we spend far too little time putting pen to paper and planning what needs to be done. Plan time to play. If you love to read then I suggest you write "meeting" in your schedule every day at the same time and then read. Have you wanted to go to the gym, but feel like there is no time? Pick up that calendar and pencil in time. Then when Aunt Suzie calls to ask if you can make 1500 cookies for the bake sale, you can refer to your calendar. "I'm sorry I'm actually in meetings all week."



Rembrandt-The Return of the Prodigal Son

Step two: apologize and forgive. Do you have someone that you have wronged and feel avoiding them is a much easier task than clearing the air? I assure you, we live in a very small world. You can’t hide forever. Go build a bridge that you have torn down; you will live a happier, healthier life. Do you have someone you feel needs to apologize to you? Forgive them first and move on. They may never apologize and harboring hate will not fix the wrong they have done. Anger and bitterness are the easiest ways to destroy our own health and happiness.

Step three: live unabashedly. Now, come on you are making this stuff up! Unabashedly: live without frustration, poised and ready without concealing or disguise. When we try to be people we are not we are constantly in a state of watchfulness. We never allow our defenses to come down in fear someone will see the real us. It’s ok to be you; the real dirty, broken, healed, loved, hated, spoken to and about, high fived and back handed. Own it. Learn from it, love it and grow from it. You will live free, you will carry less of a load and be happy.

Step four: be nice. For some of you this one will be the hardest. We walk into the grocery store with a sour puss face on expecting “great customer service” and then are shocked when the clerk is curt with us. Be nice, it’s contagious. This includes smiling at passers-by, holding the door for man or woman (let’s let go of women’s lib for a few moments on this one), allow someone, who  appears to be rushed, ahead of you in line. Look for ways to be nice. You will find them and when you do take the chance. You will be shocked at the happiness you will bring yourself as well as others.