Happiness To-Do's

What's on your to-do list for today?

Probably chores, appointments and reminders to keep your life going.
Put yourself on your to-do list.
Make your own happiness a priority.
Send yourself a text, set up a reminder and shout it from the roof tops.

You can choose happiness.

It takes less effort to be unhappy.  

Sometimes we choose something else over happiness.  

Poor choices lead to habits that don't sustain good health.  

Negative attitudes sabotage our happiness levels.  

We follow the path of least resistance, 

try to control the uncontrollable and 

refuse to accept change.

Take full responsibility for your own happiness.

We all have a to-do list that includes many chores.  We won't be able to do what we want every minute of every day but you can choose to do more of what you really want to do.  

Work on something that matters to you and gives your life meaning.  If you want, it could maybe even make a difference and change the world.

Follow your heart.
Listen to your intuition.
The answer is in you.
Be who you are.
Design a life that fulfills you.

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; 

it lies in the joy of achievement, the thrill of creative effort.

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Creative effort will bring meaning into your day-to-day life.
Do one thing every day that makes you happy.
Add courage, commitment and discipline to your to-do list.

Create a better life.

Other People Matter

You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.

-Harvey S. Firestone

Last month my niece Laura, died.  

There was no funeral or service per her final wishes.  

Many people miss her. 

On Friday I attended a celebration of life for Roxanne, her battle with cancer is over. 

Roxanne was a wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to many.  

As we listened to stories of her life and love I pondered the meaning of life.

Life is short.

Life is sweet.

Life is good.

Life sometimes sucks.

Life doesn't wait for us to decide what kind of life we want.

We have all heard the advice of don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff and really doesn't matter.  You even get to figure out  what the small stuff is. The small stuff can drag us down and take away the moments in life we could be savoring.  Our relationships with others are a big part of our lives.  We often take for granted that the people in our lives will be there always.  They won't. 

Other people matter.

The science of happiness has many studies that indicate social connections are highly valuable when it comes to increasing our happiness.  George Vaillant, director of a 72 year study of the lives of 268 men says, "The only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people."  Research statistics from study after study proves this theory.

Other people matter.

When you hold the door open for someone, it matters.

When you look up and meet eyes on the bus and smile, it matters.

When you text someone an I'm thinking of you text, it matters.

When you choose to hold a grudge, be mad at a co-worker or gossip about a neighbor, it matters...but in the opposite way.  

Sitting at a funeral brings a different perspective to both life and death.  

Life goes by in the blink of an eye.  

Appreciate the moments.  

Those moments become your life.

Death can come in the blink of an eye.

Appreciate the life you have.

Or make it better.

Every day we decide who we will be and the kind of life we will lead, 

by the decisions we make every moment of every day. 

We can make a difference every day in so many ways.  

We can smooth the path of another with a smile or kind word. 

Other people matter.

What we do for ourselves dies with us.  

What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.

-Albert Pine 

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Money is important.

Having money is critical to your life.

However, having "enough" money is your choice.

How much money is enough for your happy life?

Basic needs are met... 
a rainy day savings fund makes us feel more secure... 
and then, finally dreams are next.  
Why are our dreams last?

Trade offs for more money sometimes come with denial and delusion.
We bargain with ourselves.
If I work late tonight I will:

• be in line for a promotion
• impress the boss
• catch up on my work
• go the the next game or recital for my children
• pick up dinner on the way home
• make it up to my family later
• prove that they can't do without my expertise

and on and on until it is obvious that this is not working out for your happy life.  
The message is not-don't ever work late or you won't be happy.  
Be mindful of the reasons and understand the costs and trade offs of your decisions.  
What will it "cost" to make that money you are using to buy happiness?

Money cannot always buy what you need.

You can buy a house but not a home.

You can buy medicine but not health.

You can buy a bed but not sleep.

You can buy education but not wisdom.

Money can buy time.

You can hire someone to clean your house then have more time to spend with family.

You can pay a babysitter for date night and strengthen your relationship.

You can contract a website designer, which may bring clients and increase income.

When you buy time, by not doing something else, you increase time for loving, being creative, something more important or maybe just pure pleasure.

You can spend or overspend on entertainment and it will take you away from life.

But what if you loved your life and didn't need to get away from it?

I believe you can buy happiness...if you spend your money in the right way.  

Every person will have a "right way" for their happiness.  

Money can create opportunities to serve the world by sharing our "wealth."  

You can invest in others.  

You can buy positive experiences. 

You can buy time.

What are some of your happiest moments today?

• Buying a coffee for the person in the car behind you
• Rocking your baby to sleep
• A phone call to your mother
• Eating dinner with the family
• Learning a shortcut at the Apple store
• Working out at the gym
• Closing the deal 

Money can buy a lot of "things" but not everything and not always what you really need.

What do you need to be happy? 

  

Honesty

Liar, liar pants on fire!

I believe in truth, being sincere, having honor, using fairness in situations, having a reputation for trustworthiness and being genuine.
Not everyone agrees with me.  
Integrity has its place they say.  
But...not everywhere or every situation. 
There are exceptions, special cases and extenuating circumstances. 

How honest should you be?
When can you tell a "little white lie"?
Does saying I was joking or just kidding take away from the truth of what was said?
What if you know about a lie but keep silent?

So where do YOU draw the line?

Half the truth is often a great lie.

-Benjamin Franklin

When you tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.....

• everyone knows what really happened
• innocent people are protected from being blamed
• it allows everyone to learn from what happened
• you usually get in less trouble
• people trust you more
• you don't have to remember to keep your story straight
• you will gain a reputation...for being truthful
• you will feel secure and peaceful

Be careful of when and how you use exaggeration, sarcasm  or irony. 
It can lead to "half truths." 
Be careful not to leave out part of the truth.
It can lead to nowhere.

Being honest means more than telling the truth.  
It means you're sincere, trustworthy and genuine.  
Outside to others and inside to yourself.

In trying to live a happy life it occurs to me that we could all use a little encouragement about being honest, fair and genuine.  Honesty is something to strive for, a worthy goal.  Look inside and know the truth.  Draw a line and make a stand. Live the truth. 

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

-Thomas Jefferson