We’re still in this just past New Year’s stretch of time when many of us take stock of where we are in our lives. We think about what may or may not be working, what we want to let go of, and where we want to go. The one question that probably gets to the heart of all of this pondering is “do you love your life?” How many of you can answer this with a whole-hearted yes?
I bet most of our cats would. They seem to have the lock on the purrfect recipe for a happy life: play, cuddle, eat, sleep. What’s not to love, right? But more importantly, cats have figured out that one of the secrets to living a happy life is to live in the moment.
Since we are human with all the flaws of the species, we may need a little help to figure out how to be able to answer the question of “do you love your life” with a resounding yes. The fact is, happiness is a mindset. Happy people don’t necessarily have different lives from the rest of us; they just live their lives differently. Happiness comes from the choices we make, and how we respond to the inevitable challenges life throws at us.
People who love their life consciously choose happiness.
1. They practice gratitude.
Gratitude is a critical component of happiness. I can’t stress enough how transformational keeping a gratitude journal can be. List three things you’re grateful for first thing in the morning, and again before you go to sleep each night. You’ll be surprised how powerful this simple practice can be.
2. They don’t try to make others like them.
Happy people tend to be self-confident. They like themselves, and they don’t really care whether others like them. Ironically, chances are that they’re some of the most loved people in your life.
3. They don’t try to change others.
Trying to change another person is a waste of energy. People can change, but only if they want to. Happy people accept others for who they are. They prefer to spend time with positive people, and avoid energy vampires.
4. They live in harmony with their values
Happy people do what feels right to them, and what is in tune with their value system. They are honest and transparent, and they don’t play games.
5. They live in the moment
Happy people have worries and dreams just like the rest of us, but they don’t allow themselves to dwell in the past or get lost in dreaming about the future. They know that life happens in the present moment.
If you can’t answer the question “do you love your life” with yes just yet, try to adopt even just one of the habits listed above, and watch your life change for the better. When in doubt, look to your cats for inspurration.
Great post Ingrid. I need to work on some of those myself. My kitties teach me a lot of things about life.
Thanks, Sue.
Thanks for this, a great reminder. I’m doing way better than I thought but still need work. “Life” is after all a work in progress. *s*
It’s all about the journey, Amy, isn’t it?
Those are all great suggestions. I really need to work on not trying to get people to like me. I am 45 and need to stop worrying about that-thanks for the reminder.
I love this post. These are simple things that we often forget. Thanks for reminding me to start my new year off on a more positive note.
Excellent philosophy of living a happy life by just observing our cats behavior. If you always think that “THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE” then happiness will forever evade you in your life. Learn to be content with whatever you have in your life and never ever compare your lifestyle or living standards to those of your contemporary’s , friends or people from other Country’s.