This is Tip #4 of a 5-part series on how to lead a happier and more fulfilling life:
- Tip 1: Treat Your Body With Respect
- Tip 2: Random Acts of Kindness
- Tip 3: Take Baby Steps to Improve Yourself
- Tip 4: [You Are Here] – Choose to be Happy – Happiness is a Choice
- Tip 5: Live Life to the Fullest
In the previous tip, we have seen how we can put steps into our daily routine to improve ourselves, and how these conscious improvements work to make us a better person. We can integrate these steps we have put in place to become a better person into our overall choice to be happy. Making these improvements to yourself will increase your self worth and your self esteem.
We all know how it feels to have a bad day, to feel like someone somewhere has a vendetta against us, and everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Days like this can make it difficult for us to see through the negatives and look to our bright future. Whereas we will never be able to change the bad things that happen, our outlook on life and the way we perceive the circumstances we are dealt with, is a choice. It is our choice.
The Rainbow
Take a rainbow for example, one of natures most beautiful creations. Rainbows occur because of the water in the sky refracting light from the sun, seperating the colours for all to see. Water vapour in the clouds gets released as rain, and almost all of the time when you see a rainbow, it will be raining. It is your choice to see the rain as opposed to the rainbow. It is also your choice to see the beautiful colours light up the sky, as opposed to being disheartened by the rain.
Consider yourself a rainbow. A rainbow cannot occur without water, however it also cannot exist without the sun. You are the product of all the good things in your life, and also all of the bad. The person who you are today is influenced by those positive and negative occurences. They all contribute towards your decisions in life, and the path you choose to follow. You can manipulate the effects that these circumstances have on you by choosing how you view them.
Turn That Frown Upside Down
When you feel like everything is against you, take a moment to think of one positive outcome from your day so far. It may even be something as small as your local shop having your favourite fresh bread in stock! Concentrate on those small aspects of your day, focus on them and extract every ounce of joy you can. Use these positives to reflect the negatives and restore balance to your day.
Sometimes it is difficult to find the positives, but work at it. Make a conscious decision to allow these small moments to instill happiness in you. Become over excitable, it means you are always excited and happy because of the insignificant things around you. It becomes easier each day to find these moments, and it gives you peace and joy when the world does its utmost to bring you down.
Change Is Your Choice
The path that your life takes is entirely your choice. If you are unhappy, take a moment to reflect on the reasons why you feel this way. Sometimes, we feel so overwhelmed by life that it can be hard to see clearly. However, your life is your choice. If you are unhappy in your job for example, it becomes your choice to address it at work and see if improvements can be made, or if it is time to find a new career.
Let the phrase “change does not happen by chance, it happens by choice” empower you. You are never stuck in your situation, although you may feel that way. Only you can implement steps and enforce change into your life. Don’t be frightened by change, be intrigued by it, welcome it. Change keeps our lives fresh and exciting. Don’t be put off because it may seem hard, the best things in life can often also be the hardest.
Take charge of your life. The steps to happiness are made by you. Your life could be exactly what you want it to be if you make the choice to be happy, and have the inner strength to make change.
5 Steps To Choosing Happiness:
1. Envisage your ultimate self
Who do you want to be? Where do you want to be? What do you want to be doing? What gives you joy?
2. Make steps
What steps do you need to implement in order to achieve the life results you are looking for? How can you achieve the aim of your ultimate, happy self?
3. Be strong
Be strong enough to carry through your decisions. Have faith in yourself that you are working towards a better you. Be strong in the knowledge that you have a bright future, and it is your choice where you go.
4. Alter your outlook
Focus on looking at the positive aspects of your life, make conscious decisions to take the goodness out of the small events that happen in your day, and extract as much happiness as you can. Focus on this happiness, and let it keep you strong against any negativity that may creep into your day.
5. Change is not by chance, change is a choice
Whether it is dramatically changing your life, or simply changing your outlook on life, remember, happiness is your choice.