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