1. Look for What's Right Rather than What's Wrong
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Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky. ~Hafiz of Persia
When I wake up in the morning I can immediately find 10 things that are right in my world. I have hubs, who wakes up next to me. I have food, water, clothes, and shelter. My car runs, I have gas, family, friends and freedom. I have no reason to be unhappy.
2. Live Your Own Life
Reexamine all that you have been told in school, or in church or in any book. Dismiss whatever insults your soul. ~Walt Whitman
Forget what others want and expect of you. The beauty of your life is you choose who you want in it and what you want to do with it. Find your passion and purpose. Look for mentors. Create adventure through travel. Have fun. Be kind. Stay true to yourself.
3. Enjoy Your Journey
I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.
~Hafiz of Persia
In every difficulty or failure in life, there is a lesson and an opportunity. Look for the lesson and learn from it. There are a variety of life-enhancing tools at your fingertips. A therapist, a coach, support groups, mp3’s, books, and videos are great resources when you’re lost or confused. Life is precious and doesn’t have to be difficult. Find joy in everything.
4. Be Silly, Laugh, and Have Fun
It is a happy talent to know how to play. ~Ziggy
Hang out with people who bring out the best in you. Seriousness and intensity can steal your joy and cause anxiety. Observe children and follow their lead in laughter and play. Turn off electronics and spend time in nature, at the zoo, or enjoy an outdoor festival.
5. Love Everyone
This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet. ~Rumi
Everyone has a core of good that can never be destroyed. You never know what kind of personal war anyone is going through.
Send blessings to people who are hurting, imprisoned, or in pain. Everyone is doing the best they know how to do with what they have. We all want the same three things: to give love, to receive love and to know that we matter.
Help those who are hurting. We’re here for each other.
6. Be Generous
You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money,compliments, or publicity. ~Thomas Wolfe
Give of your time, talent and resources. Leave a large tip, donate to charity, teach someone to read. Go on a mission trip. Share your lunch, your books, your skills. Go the extra mile, give the benefit of doubt, give praise. Never hold back when you have an opportunity to share. Live to give.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
If someone in your life talked to you the way you talk to yourself, you would have left them long ago.
~Carla Gordo
Think well of yourself. Eat healthy. Do exercise you enjoy. Mediate. Write in a journal. Give yourself a break. See yourself with a loving heart and compassionate eyes. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself immediately. Learn to stand up for yourself. Never tolerate abuse of any kind from anyone.
8. Spend Money Wisely
That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.
~Henry David Thoreau
Choose to use less, save more and appreciate everything you own. Create a budget and stick to it. Only purchase what you need. Stop recreational shopping. Stuff doesn’t bring happiness. If we use only what we need there would be enough resources for everyone.
9. Live Out of Your Comfort Zone
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ~ Vincent van Gogh
Try new foods. Learn a new language. Introduce yourself to new people. Read the classics. Ask for assistance. Ask someone you admire to mentor you. If you took one risk everyday, think of where you’d be at the end of the year. When you risk, you grow. The world needs your gifts and talents. Don’t hold back. End of story.
10. Don’t Take Things Personally.
No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
A requirement of an addict, in a 12-Step Group is to find a sponsor, someone who will hold them accountable. One reason addicts fail to remain sober is because they think they can recover alone. A favorite excuse is, “What if the person I ask, says no?” The answer is: There are 7 billion people in the world. If one says no, ask another! It’s that simple.
It’s not about you. People are busy, weird, and lost in their own stuff. When things don’t go as planned, stay calm, be clear, get over it and move on.
11. Don’t Compare or Complain.
You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses. ~unknown
Children often compare themselves with siblings or friends and complain, “It’s not fair!” The earlier we learn life’s not fair the happier we can be.
Honest people go to prison. Babies are born mentally and physically challenged. Beautiful people are treated better. Some one with less skills will get the job you wanted. Bill Gates advises, “Get over it!”
Dream big, work hard and do what’s right anyway. And don’t whine about it. Attitude is everything.
12. Forgive everyday.
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. ~Peter Ustinov
Marianne Williamson says, “If you’re alive you have someone to forgive.” For example, the person who cuts you off in traffic, the clerk who is unkind, a child who failed, a boss that doesn’t listen. The list is endless. Forgiving people for the small stuff is as important as the big stuff. Big stuff includes, the parent who abused you, the friend who left you, the spouse that betrayed you.
Photographers: africa, tungphoto, Gregory Szarkiewicz, Ambro, africa, graur razvan ionut Pixomar, Filomena Scalise, Idea go,
Peggy Nolan, has a new ebook,The 30 Day Affirmation Challenge. She is donating the proceeds to cancer research.
What would you like to add to the list for more joy?
I see you, #soulsib.
Acknowledge beauty & give thanks for lessons teaching us how easy we have it…
I’m looking forward to meeting you on this crazy might fail roadtrip. 🙂