Top Ten Ways To Keep A Positive Outlook On Life
I was reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s comment that, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”The following are my Top 10 Tips to increase happiness and peace of mind in your life:
1. Decide to be a happy person. As Lincoln observed, most people, most of the time, can choose how stressed or happy, how troubled or relaxed they want to be. Choose to be happy.
2. Watch and Read less news. As a recovering news addict, I know this can be difficult because the stock market fluctuates, politicians politic, and sports teams compete. But, most of the time, you don’t need the stress. So, just don’t watch. I think it was Henry Thoreau who noted that if you’ve ever read about a train wreck, you understand the principle and don’t need to know any more.
3. Practice the Attitude of Gratitude. We all have so much to be grateful for but it’s easy to take for granted. If you are reading this – most likely your lifestyle would be considered one of luxury compared to how more than half the population lives.
4. Take Time. Noticing the sights, sounds, and smells in the yard, about being relaxed. Eat when you’re hungry, nap when you need it.
5. Laugh everyday. Hear a joke, tell a joke, laugh at yourself, laugh with your friends and family and co-workers. There are very few medicines as powerful as laughter, and I don’t think you can over-dose, although it is addicting!
6. Love well. Express your appreciation, friendship to those around you, and they will almost always respond in the most amazing ways! Be generous…it pays great dividends! Also, one of the things I learned from one of my mentors is that love isn’t this weird “mushy” thing but having and maintaining a positive perspective on things versus always trying to see the negatives in others or situations.
7. Work hard. This one comes as a bit of a surprise, but there is tremendous satisfaction in being competent, and joy in completing our daily objectives. Why else would you have a daily list to cross things off of. One of the great sources of happiness is to do work that is worthy of you, and to do it well.
8. Learn something new, everyday or every week. AND teach others. To be happy, most of us must also be growing, expanding, learning and challenging ourselves. Read, listen, adapt and stretch to accommodate new ideas and new information. I am currently learning how to shoot video for my blog and it’s definitely made me learn a host of skills. I am also trying to teach my mom how to text message. But I don’t think she really cares! LOL (that’s fine too)
9. Use your body as it was designed. Walk and run, stretch, throw things, and lift things. Dance! Exercise is good.
10: Avoid toxins. I prefer writing positives (things to do) rather than negatives (things to fear), but reality says there are negative people and there are bad chemicals, stressful noises, and unsafe places. Don’t go there! Avoid poisons whenever possible. It seems to work out better that way.
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