I have two beautiful crepe myrtle trees in my backyard. Crepe myrtle trees are the official Texas state shrub (the photo is of one of my crepe myrtles). Whether I look out my window at them or wander in the yard they make me feel good. I am grateful for them. I am grateful for eyesight to see their beauty. Sometimes, we don’t have go any distance at all to feel good.
I wake up feeling happy. I wake up telling the day to get ready because here I come ready or not. I find things usually work out for me. I think it’s more in the attitude I take toward life than in my DNA. I begin and end each day in gratitude. I try my best to connect with other people. My recipe is this: Smile frequently. Lend a helping hand where you can. Constantly talk to yourself feeding yourself with positive talk. Pray with a grateful heart. And, stay away from folks who stay angry and only see one side of a coin. And, don’t pay too much attention to the talking political heads. C’mon, you know it’s going to be a good day. It’s the only one we got.
Thunderstorms rolled through the area last night. I enjoy the roll of thunder and the driving rain. I thanked God and expressed my gratitude for the rain in this south Texas area. Being grateful sent me off into dreamland. When I awoke, the storms had past, I was well rested, and ready to go after the day with all the energy I can muster. I think being grateful gives one a peaceful heart, especially in the turmoil that surrounds us.
“Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.”
Celebrate the fact that you are alive. Take a few moments every morning to simply enjoy a few minutes over a cup of coffee or tea and breathe in the aroma, feel the warmth, and enjoy the comfort. Give thanks for the day that is coming your way. When you begin your day with a sense of gratitude and celebration, you are bound to have more joy for the rest of the day.
Note: Make the start of your day unhurried. It may mean getting up a bit earlier; however, it will be worth it. Moving slowly through the early part to our day tampers the stress down and allows us to focus on what is important, the people we live with.
Being happy is a state of mind and an attitude. It is being content with the current situation, taking ownership of your life, and feeling satisfied and fulfilled. To be truly happy, it is important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Spend time exploring activities that bring joy and pleasure to you. Find ways to give back to your community and help others in need. Spend time with family and friends, practice gratitude, and focus on the positive things in your life. Being happy is a choice and it is something that each of us can work on every day.
People often think things like money or luxury lead to happiness, but research indicates some healthy life practices may actually be the key. . . . Here are five ways you can boost your happiness on a daily basis.
