| It's the dream of many to live happy and | | | | |
| contented lives. The truth is that life | | | | 3. Invite friends over for some play time. |
| happens and with the good comes the not so | | | | Organise paper, crayons, paint, and coloured |
| good. Some become skilled at getting into | | | | pencils, whatever you can think of and do |
| the zone and ride the wave of life learning | | | | some drawings or paintings. You could also |
| from each wave that washes over them. Others | | | | ask each person to bring along a plate of |
| live life with a 'que sera sera' (whatever | | | | food. |
| will be, will be) accepting kind of attitude. | | | | |
| Then there are those who find themselves in | | | | 4. Spend time with nature, go for a walk down |
| the dark place and need a little guidance to | | | | the beach or park; observe wildlife in your |
| again see the light. | | | | area or visit a plant nursery. Notice your |
| | | | mood when amongst the spirit of nature. |
| Happiness is a 'now you feel it, now you | | | | |
| don't' emotion. I know this from personal | | | | 5. Take something with you that gives you |
| experience and from hearing of the | | | | great pleasure such as a book, journal for |
| experiences of others. Sometimes I'm very | | | | writing or your MP3 player and sit and 'Be' |
| happy, other times, sad, joyful, contented, | | | | under the canopies of trees for a few hours. |
| frustrated, and sometimes very neutral. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Learn something totally new such as |
| Several years ago I had no reference point | | | | another language; pottery or painting or |
| for the word happy. I knew technically the | | | | start your meditation, personal or spiritual |
| meaning of the word, however the experience | | | | development program. You're only ever |
| eluded me. Joy I could do, happy for some | | | | limited by your own imagination. |
| reason, no. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Join a club or group that you have an |
| One day during a workshop the word happy was | | | | interest in. You can then expand your |
| demonstrated to me with much laughter from | | | | friendship base with other like-minded souls. |
| the audience. Now I not only get 'happy' but | | | | |
| remember it also as a fun experience. | | | | With any of the above activities assess what |
| | | | and how you're feeling as well as where you |
| There are many small things that can make me | | | | feel the emotion and how much are you |
| happy as well as give me endless joy. I've | | | | laughing, grinning, or smiling? Remember |
| listed seven simple ways toward experiencing | | | | them totally by living the experience and you |
| a happy moment, but first check you have a | | | | will then be able to recall this memory when |
| reference point to the word happy. Find out | | | | you want to. |
| what happy really means to you? | | | | |
| | | | Include to memory your experience colours, |
| 1. Remember or create a 'happy' moment. When | | | | smells, sounds and tastes - all the better |
| you live the experience of 'happy' your mind | | | | for remembering your happy time with. |
| and body will remember. Feel the happiness | | | | |
| in all parts of you, expand this feeling if | | | | Quiet time spent alone can open the door to |
| need be. Practise this daily. | | | | the possibility of connection to that most |
| | | | amazing and magical part of you that is your |
| 2. Access the Present moment. Notice what | | | | true self, the spirit within. |
| happens to you when you're totally focussed | | | | |
| on a comedy show on television, when you | | | | From my experience the key to a happy life |
| listen to light hearted music or when you | | | | begins with remembering who you are, know |
| dance - even if it's on your own. I | | | | what gives you enjoyment, be present, and |
| sometimes groove to a tune in my office when | | | | know that regardless of your circumstances |
| no-one's looking - it makes me feel good, | | | | no-one can take away your thoughts or dreams, |
| cool, gives me a break from what I'm doing | | | | they are yours to keep for as long as you |
| and I laugh at myself! | | | | wish. |