Take Charge of Your Happiness...

Sitting in a conference one day, I caught an alarming statistic:

Adults smile 15 times a day while
children smile 400 times a day.

What a stark contrast that is. We can come up with all kinds of reasons…or can I call them excuses…that adults would choose to smile less. Yet, if I am truthful with you, I would tell you that

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

In thinking about how to help people take charge of their own happiness, I thought I would share a few simple but profound points from an email I received from a friend and colleague. I’ve added some personal observations as well. Forgive me if you have read this before, but for those of you that haven’t, I encourage you to take some time to ponder.

1) Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Those numbers don’t tell the real story.

2) Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3) Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop & dull living’. Experience new things...get out.

4) Enjoy the simple things. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful. Stop to smell the flowers. Get up to see the sun rise. Listen to a child giggle.

5) Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath...

6) The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. Life isn’t fair but it’s still good.

7) Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8) Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9) Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country if you must, but NOT to where the guilt is. No matter how you feel…get up, dress up and show up.

10) Tell the people you love that you love them…at every opportunity.

You’ve heard it said before…life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. What’s keeping you from smiling more and taking charge of your happiness? Start today by embracing one of the above suggestions and see if you feel better. Take charge of your happiness. Let me see you smile!

Do You Need a Jumpstart?

The frigid temps outside made me wonder if my car would start the other morning. My vehicle usually does not sit outside overnight but that night I stayed at a hotel. As I walked out to my car the next morning, I notice the vacant lot; most everyone had checked out. While holding my breath, I turned the ignition key. The engine hesitated, groaned and then ever so slowly came to life. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was not prepared for an event requiring jumper cables. Truthfully, even if I had jumper cables with me, I would still need assistance. Our AAA auto club membership roadside assistance would have served as a good backup plan. Although my experience went smoothly I learned something valuable. Think about this:

When we need a jumpstart in life, it requires assistance.

Jump starting my vehicle would require the help of another person regardless if it is the Auto Club or another hotel patron offering his vehicle…and a set of jumper cables in my case. The point is that there was no way possible I could get my van running by myself, no matter how great my efforts or determination. Bottom line…I needed help.

So why do we expect that we will be able to ‘jump-start’ our life by our self? Back in college I struggled with being overweight. I hit my all time high and made a decision that I needed to change some things. It did not take more than a couple days to realize that I needed someone to help me jump-start my endeavor. A dear friend chose to workout with me; she pushed me when the going got rough. Since I am a horrible morning person, I needed her to kick me in the seat of the pants and get me moving. Because I asked for help and she willingly stepped up, I lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for more than twenty years.

In what area do you need to ask for help to jump-start things?

Do you need to ask a good friend or personal trainer to exercise with you?

Do you need to ask a trusted person for feedback on a new logo you are creating for your business?

Do you need to ask your current customers for referrals?

Do you need to ask someone you admire to mentor you?

There most likely is something that you want to accomplish and know you could use a jump-start. The first step is to ask for help.

When we need a jumpstart in life, it requires assistance.

“You create your opportunities by asking for them.” ~ Shakti Gawain