Joy is a Very Serious Subject
It's easy to get down in ordinary times. Right now it seems like it takes all the focus I can't muster...not to focus on crap that I can't fix.
I stumbled on this YouTube video this morning. (I'm gonna have to ditch YouTube along with the sugar if I keep getting distracted like this.) Still, it had such a great message...maybe it was a good thing to get distracted by.
The title was: "How to Be Happy - The Top 10 Habits of Happy People". I didn't expect anything revolutionary but I feel like it's a good idea to follow the path of 'happy' whenever it crops up.
Here's the short video, if you want to check it out, or I made a summary of it below to hang in my office.
Some Great Reminders
I was right about the lack of huge, revolutionary, new information...but it was a nice mix of old information, that I can always stand to be reminded of.
It seems like I'm really good at one or another of these at any given time...but I'm not sure I've ever felt I had all the categories wrangled at once. It goes to show you don't have to be a Zen master to be happy. They're probably working on one or another of these goals all the time too. Always room for improvement.
My Top Three
There are three habits that are helping me be happy the most right now.
#3 Practice Self Acceptance
This has always been a tricky one for me. I recently realized that I have basically spent the past 55 years of my life...waiting for everyone I've ever met, to get together and decide that I'm okay. I've spent a lot of time putting out fires with people I struggled with. It's like I thought: "If the election were tomorrow...I would definitely not be getting this person's vote, so I'd better figure out what they want me to be, and hurry up and be it."
That looks pretty pathetic when I write it down.
That's probably because, well, it's a pretty pathetic way to think. Still, that's how it's been.
Michael and I were talking last night about the genuine benefits of getting older. This is certainly one of them. We re-committed to spending time only with people that we don't have to jump through hoops to please. Saves a lot of time, angst, and events you dread going to.
#5 Pursue Meaningful Goals
This is the thing keeping me going these days. As a side benefit, it helps me with #2 (Focusing on Things I Can Control).
Choosing goals that are meaningful to me, and setting mini-habits to help me get to these goals is keeping my head in a positive place.
#10 Make Health A Priority
Nothing makes me feel bummed out faster, than eating a lot of junky food and not exercising. The happy brain chemicals go away, and the yucky ones appear with a vengeance. And that's not good when I'm looking at projects I'm procrastinating on, and wearing clothes that feel tight and uncomfortable.
These are lessons I learn over and over. Almost on a daily basis. But every single, stupid, time I rediscover them, I'm grateful:
"Eureka! I worked out and ate a healthy lunch and I feel amazing! Who'da thunk it?!?!"
Daily Hits of Happy
-Sweet notes from friends...with spices! (Thanks, Cynthia! I made coleslaw for lunch at Mom and Dad's yesterday and the ground caraway does make a difference. Yummy!)
-Beautiful artwork from a beautiful friend! (Thank you, thank you! I love her!)
-My daughter-in-law is on Week 2 of 'Sweat'. I told her I was doing it and she saw the results, but I've never really talked it up to her. I'm excited to have someone new to talk about it with!
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