Although I realize it is impossible for anyone to be happy all the time, I have come to the conclusion that many of us spend more time then we should worrying. We worry about finances, health problems, what careers to choose, what clothes to wear, are our lives fulfilling?, do we fit in? etc....... I am not saying we should not be prepared or set future goals. I am saying that some of the things we worry about on a daily basis keeps us from enjoying the present.
Someone wise once said, "Live every day as if it were your last." Personally, I find that a bit extreme but I agree with the general philosophy of the statement.
Lately, I have become a strong advocate for "mindfulness." Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you are mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience. "The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety," provides excellent guidelines to do just that. It demonstrates techniques to help focus on the present so that worries, anxieties, and fears are no longer barriers from moving forward. I have been sharing this book with my groups but I have found it helpful in my own life.
Another bit of knowledge I find useful is self care. Even when confronted with obstacles such as financial stress, family health issues, and constant shedding of animal hair, it is important to find something to make life pleasurable. I want to stress that when I say pleasurable I am talking about healthy activities that will not cause harm to self or others. Activities can range from exercising, spending time with family and friends, listening to music, volunteering, writing, reading a good book, getting a massage, soaking up the sun, watching a movie (with Robert Carlyle in it in my case), or 101 or so other things.
The point is happiness comes from within. Find it, live it, and enjoy it.
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