30 Happiness Boosters Part 2

1/22/2016

10 More Ways to Boost Your Happiness

In this blog series I share some of the ways I boost my happiness no matter the situation or circumstance. Try these out over the next several days and see what happens. This is part 2 of 3. To go back and read Part 1, click here.

11. Nurture friendships – Humans need human connection. Our whole evolutionary history reveals our deep association with community. There’s nothing like having really good friends. “There are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger and live just a little bit better.” – Unknown. “No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.” – Alice Walker

12. Organize & simplify – You’ve probably heard “as above so below” before. Well, a cluttered environment is generally indicative of a cluttered mind. “It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.” – Bruce Lee. “Clutter isn’t just in your home, attic, garage or office. Clutter is also in your mind, and distracts you from the amazing thigs you are meant to do.” – Katrina Mayer

13. Be savvy with your time – Some say “time is money” but they are so wrong. Time is infinitely more valuable than money. You can lose your money and earn it back. Once you lose time, it is gone forever. “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” – William Shakespeare

14. Be proactive – Don’t wait for the train to wreck. Do what you can ahead of time to avoid the wreck altogether. It feels good to get things accomplished and to make progress. Next time you write a “to do” list, cross things off the list as you complete them. Then, observe how you feel. “The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don’t like to do.” – Thomas Edison

15. Have meaningful and substantive conversations – People who can only have small talk are small people. Sure, small talk has its place, but we must move beyond tiny talks to the big leagues because the depth and range of our conversation is a reflection of the depth and range of our minds. The mind has an affinity for expansion. “The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.” – William Hazlitt. “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

16. Meditate – The mind has a tendency to be filled with noise of chatter. With all the noise, it’s difficult to hear the one voice we should be listening to. Meditation helps to the mind find quietness so we can hear better. “Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It’s a way of entering the quiet that’s already there – buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day.” – Deepak Chopra. “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” - Confucius

17. Play happy music – Make a playlist of all the songs you can recall that lift your spirits and put you into a good mood. Listen to it when you need a quick jolt of happy. There’s are reason that movies, TV shows, and commercials use music – it’s to evoke and emotion to get you to respond. You mind as well use this strategy on yourself to YOUR advantage. "The power of music to integrate and cure. . . is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest nonchemical medication." - Oliver Sacks. “Harmony sinks deep into the recesses of the soul and takes its strongest hold there, bringing grace also to the body & mind as well. Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order…” - Plato

18. Pick up a new hobby – Learning new things is how to exercise the brain. When you learn new things your brain builds neural networks and pathways that correspond to your learning. The more you learn and challenge yourself, the more networks you form and the more they expand. Your brain loves this stuff! “Unless you do something beyond what you’ve already mastered, you will never grow.”– Ronald E. Osborne

19. Have a gratitude attitude – Being thankful for what you already have and the experiences you’ve been through (and the ones you’ll still go through) lifts your spirit and adds to the delight life has to offer. "Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." – Aesop

20. Share the joy – Joy doesn’t result from selfishness, so don’t be stingy with it. We are connected to each other, so sharing with others is like sharing with yourself. What a feeling! “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

Stay tuned for Part 3 of 3 (#’s 21-30) coming shortly. If you haven’t read part 1 (#’s 1-10) click here to do so. These posts are in conjunction with the Golden Goals for 2016 free yearlong program – it’s not too late to sign up. To join the journey, click here.

Cheers to your HAPPINESS!!!

Damon

1 Comment