Monday, November 22, 2010

How to achieve happiness

1. Happiness is not necessarily something you go out and find but rather something you make. We all have hopes and dreams and thoughts of things that we think will make us happier, but at the end of the day if you are not content where you are you will fail, because happiness is much easier to achieve if you do it now. If you can make happiness out of everyday living or even the worst of times, imagine how full your heart will be when God blesses you with what you are dreaming of.

2. Surrounding yourself with people who love you for you is crucial. Never try to be anything more or less than what you are just because you want someone to like you for you. I think that is a pretty simple idea : )

3. Instill in others what you believe to be right and true. If I have friend 1 over and friend 2 calls and says that they are in need of advice, a shower, a shoulder to cry on, or a bowl of soup I believe that it is better for me to mesh the two friends together not only to create a sense of community but maybe I will instill in others my own values. Don't be ashamed to build into others and to be built into!

4. Know what you believe...so important! AND defend it to the death. HAH ok a little dramatic...but really....it's so much better to just know what you believe and stick up for it, than to try to conform to everyone and try to make everyone else happy....IT DOESN'T WORK! (p.s. some of these I am still working on myself)

5. Know your place in the present season of your life. Sometimes we go through seasons where maybe we don't feel as heroic or useful even as we would in other seasons, but know that sometimes our place is to be served or to be still and learn something...or in my case raise children and instill in them the things I am trying to learn. If you are aware of where you are in life you can be content in that season.

6. Just knowing that life has seasons that come and go! You won't always be in the place you are...so if that happens to be a boring or sad place knowing you have hope of getting out will help you find the happiness you so desperately seek.

7. You can't buy happiness. Although money can make things much easier, they are not the answer to life's biggest problems.

8. Love....Just love everyone...because everyone needs it and you may be the only person giving it to them. Love unconditionally...especially the people who you have no choice but to be in your life. Like your crazy brother or husband : )


9. Forgiveness....believe me. As hard as it can be sometimes it will set you free to forgive the other person and get it off of your shoulders.


10. Lean on the Lord, at all times. Knowing that He has me where I am supposed to be and that He has a plan for my life are all such comforting things. Talking to Him and looking for His will in my life are crucial to myself being happy.


NOW you may be looking at this and thinking...that seems like a lot of giving and sacrifice in order to make myself happy. Believe me...giving is one of the greatest sources of happiness. Whether it be giving my heart, trust, love, joy, values, or faith....I know that these things are making me happier today and in the long run

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