Do you ever find that sometimes the same thing keeps showing up in your life in different forms and situations like it’s in a slightly different colour to everything else so that it will stand out and you take notice? Well, I’ve been seeing lots of amazing projects and meeting with lots of courageous, community and system changing people lately that have brought a number of things to me to ponder upon.
I’ve been reflecting upon what we seek out of our experience of being alive. Personal fulfilment, a feeling of connection, a perception of belonging, happiness and a sense of self-worth all seem vital components to living a happy life (securing a definition of ‘happy’ would take another article so please just see it to mean what it means for you).
I have learnt that there are many simple things that you can do so as to have these in your life, but here are a few to get you started.
- Pay it forward. I am continuously amazed at how the more I give, the more I receive. I seem to live on fresh air at times, yet me and my children have enough to meet our needs and a little more. I’m not sure how it works other than seeing it as an energy that flows around people who engage in this way of operating.
- Get involved in a project in your Community. Find something locally and become a part of a bigger picture to make a difference. In Oxfordshire, there is a new project just launching called The OTCN Oxhop Challenge. There are always things happening in your community and if you can’t find something, create it!
- When you stop to talk to someone, a friend, a colleague, an acquaintance, comment on how well they look, or how the colour they are wearing suits them, or pass on something good to them that you heard someone else say. It’s not hard to say something nice to someone but it can make the biggest difference to the receiver of the compliment and they’ll be left with a lovely feeling. The quote “People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel” springs to mind.
- Being who you are is actually all you’re meant to be….self-love is the cornerstone to everything! Remember that….
A lovely post and so true.
A major part of happiness is also counting your own blessings – think of what you’d really treasure in your own life if suddenly this was taken from you. You can’t buy happiness, it’s not the material possessions that affect our state of mind, but the little things – sunlight on your face, the love of your family, the dog’s wet nose waking you on a morning, dancing yourself silly to your favourite song…
Too many people live their lives comparing themselves to others and concentrating on what they haven’t got rather than appreciating what they have, or think they’d be happy “if only…”. So very sad.
Great post Lisa, I’m a big believer in the Law of Attraction so always trying to be positive in my thoughts and be grateful for what I have
Thanks for the lovely reminder of points to action or to re-visit if we have been slacking a little.
I have found those who I encounter who are living their lives to their values always seem happy and fulfilled. Making sure what you are doing adheres to your beliefs and values will undoubtedly make you feel happier as you are not then crippled by doubt, guilt, shame, or any other negative emotions associated with discordant choices.
Really good comments…gratitude, Positive thinking and living to your values. All of these support a happy and fulfilled person.
Thank you all for commenting xx