By E. Corinne Byrd
Most of us want to live a happy life, even though the world
around is anything but happy. We live on a fear-filled planet. Be
careful. Look both ways before crossing. We have fear of rejection,
fear of looking foolish, of being sick, of speaking in public.
By E. Corinne Byrd
Most of us want to live a happy life, even though the world around is anything but happy. We live on a fear-filled planet. Be careful. Look both ways before crossing. We have fear of rejection, fear of looking foolish, of being sick, of speaking in public.
But we can overcome fear. We can develop new thought patterns. We can make a proactive decision to move our minds in the direction of the powerful, the positive and productive.
Many of us suffer from this problem: I’ll be happy when or I’ll be happy if… I win the Lotto. I retire. I lose 10 pounds—whatever. What a waste! We can be happy now, and we don’t have to wait for the stars to line up in perfect symmetry. When you meet someone who is truly happy, it’s probably not because they’re rich or handsome or famous. More likely, it’s because they’ve made a decision to be happy.
What is happiness anyway? Susan B. Anthony said, “Happiness is independence.” Albert Schweitzer said, “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” The subject of happiness must be important if our country’s founders gave us the right to pursue it.
We’ll probably never be able to define happiness empirically, but we do know it when we see it. Happy people are friendly and compassionate. They reach out to others; they smile and laugh and have rewarding long-term relationships. They feel worthwhile and contented.
A positive attitude is vitally important; it can affect us in dramatic ways. Optimistic people are less prone to illness. A study of the National Academy of Sciences links “negative” brain activity with a weakened immune system. Furthermore, optimists most likely live longer. A Mayo Clinic study found that optimists have a 50 percent lower risk of premature death.
Optimists are often empowered to achieve more in life, since belief a goal is obtainable creates a scenario in which we’re more likely to attempt it. Here are a few suggestions to increase optimism and happiness: Exercise and eat well. Get plenty of rest. Reduce stress.
Eliminating stress may be the most challenging one on this list. Sometimes we’re faced with stress that goes on for years. If it’s not something you can change, learn coping skills, especially for times you’re feeling low. Have compassion on yourself. Move through negative feelings and blue days with the simple goal to feel better tomorrow than today.
Participate in activities that may make you feel better. Find a friend and go to a movie or a ballgame. Meditate, pray or go to a place of worship. Explore new areas of happiness. Make a list. How can I be happier this week? Do red roses make you happy? Buy some; grow some. Most of us never reach our happiness potential because we don’t do anything in particular to be happy.
Just for today, make up your mind to be deliriously happy. Life is short. Stay happy!
