Happiness is a state of being. We all know that but our feelings of happiness feed off our experiences. We all have a tendency to look to our partners, our parents, our friends, etc. to make us happy. Happiness is not merely a moment of pleasure. It is a long-term experience that will inevitably come from what we put out there. I mean this: what we put in the world is what we will get back!
My son and I are struggling to hear each other on this one. I told him yesterday that if you act happy (even if you are faking it) it will rub off in others and on himself! I reminded him much fun it is to be around positive people and not so much fun around negative people. I’m not sure he hears me. He’s got those teenage tapes going in his head that are telling him how his parents and siblings (and almost everyone else in the world) don’t understand him.
I asked him to take just one day and try the four things: kindness, no blame, positivity, forgiveness and love – and put it out there to everyone…even strangers. It’s not perfect but I hope he will see what I’m talking about.
1. Be Kind: It’s easy to be kind to those people who are kind to us. But the key part is being kind to those who are not kind to us. Ever wish that when you are admitting a mistake, the other person would embrace you and thank you for coming forward – being kind about the apology rather than hammering again? Kindness breeds more kindness.
2. Don’t Blame: It’s not easy to take responsibility for one’s actions. So, instead we find ways to push the good person down so that we feel better about ourselves. However, there is no bigger waste of energy then trying to avoid that which you should admit.
3. Be Positive. There is nothing better than truly positive people. Not the fake, syrupy kind of people. Those “real” ones. You know who I am talking about!
4. Forgive and forget. Moving forward and being happy requires forgiveness of others and yourself. The latter is as important as the former.
5. Love. It’s a feeling you can project to anyone and everyone. As simple as a real smile to a stranger.
Thankfully, every day is new and we can try again and again until these notions become a habit. I believe that it will happen for my kids … Work in progress. Finally a good addiction!
Have a great day!
theyearof50 