Spreading Sunshine All Along the Way!

What does it mean to be truly happy? I believe it is different for every single person. One persons happiness might not be the same as what another would percieve as true happiness. I came across an article from Susan M. Heathfield titled, "Top 10 Ways to Be Happy at Work". It had some inspiration not only for the workplace but for life in general. This is the abridged version:

1. Choose to be happy.
2. Do something you love every single day.
3. Take charge of your own professional and personal development.
4. Take responsibility for knowing what is happening.
5. Ask for feedback frequently.
6. Make only commitments you can keep.
7. Avoid negativity.
8. Practice courage.
9. Make Friends.
10. If all else fails, smile.

Happiness for me is like being a child. Children are masters of happiness; it doesn't take much to make kids happy. They'll smile and laugh at the silliest things like bubbles, boxes, animals, when they see someone they love, and a million other things. They do things that make them happy. Seeing a child in a happy mood is very contagious.

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Another way to be happy is to just laugh and be silly. Even if you're blue and don't feel like laughing, do it anyways. Even if it's a fake laugh, you will begin to really laugh since a fake laugh sounds so darned silly. I remember in college going to see a comedian and a man two rows behind me had the best laugh! I was too busy enjoying him laughing then to really pay attention to what the comedian said. Laughing raises endorphins and makes you feel more alive and energized. My children make me laugh every day and they really keep me in check to what makes life worth while.

Here is my own personal happiness list:

1. Seeing my children happy.
2. Smelling fresh baked bread, rain, and spring lilac bushes.
3. Enjoying where I work. (I have the best boss in the world.)
4. Taking time for myself for a bath, a good book, or a favorite cheesy girlie movie.
5. Knowing the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and living it's teachings.
6. Loving the people in the Lost River Valley. I'm amazed by how many people in our small community reach out to help and take care of each other.
7. Spending holiday's with family.
8. Having a husband that loves me unconditionally.
9. I'm happy on the rare days when my body is healthy and I feel more alive. For all the other days I'm just grateful that I don't have anything worse.
10. Forgetting my troubles and just letting go.

I hope this blog helps spread some happiness and gets you thinking about what truly makes you happy.