Happiness from the Inside Out

By Loretta LaRoche 

What truly has the power to make you feel good? 

Some advertisements show us how we can enhance our mood if we drink alcoholic beverages. We are not often shown the hell that many families, friends and the person themselves have felt instead of the haven of delight that was promised. Our culture strives to find happiness from the outside in rather than the inside out. But no product or substance can bring us true happiness. It comes in the opportunities in each moment we are given in every day. It is not an easy concept to embrace, but it needs no exotic packaging, nor false promises.

1. Joy comes from inner peace, the power to give and receive, and the ability to appreciate. It's a feeling of gratitude for the gift of life.
2. If you think the worst and get the worst, then you suffer twice; if you think the best and get the worst, you suffer once.
3. Create an appreciation inventory, and review it whenever you feel out of control and overwhelmed. It helps to put things into perspective.
4. Try to watch a few funny movies every week. It will give your brain a natural high.
5. Take time to remember how many times you have survived your own life, and what strengths you used to do it.
6. Have fun as often as possible. It makes life feel playful rather than plodding.
7. Whenever a situation tries your patience, find "the bless in the mess." It will help you create resiliency.
8. Try to discover your own inner sitcom so you can laugh at yourself more often.
9. Become more enthusiastic. Being enthusiastic helps fill the air with bubbles of joy, just like the ones we saw as children that streamed out of bottles filled with magical soapy water
10. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. It allows you to be true to yourself and less likely to feel guilty. And haven't we all had enough guilt, the gift that keeps on giving?
11. When you find yourself criticizing yourself, ask, "what's the point?" Is there an opportunity for me to change it? If it's simply about something like being too short, then move on…and just think tall.
12. Don't wait till everything's done to have fun. You could run out of time. And frankly, I've never seen a tombstone that read, "Did Everything, Died Anyway."
13. In order to be fully alive, you first have to be awake and aware. Otherwise you're simply sleepwalking.
14. Be fully present with your friends, family and co-workers. Nobody wants to talk to someone who's mentally planning the future while pretending to listen.