H is for Happy


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama




     Happiness can't be measured, nor should it be. Is it a wave that comes and go? No one is happy all the time, right?! What makes you happy?

     Blogging, okay blog hopping makes me happy, my home, hobbies, my family make me happy. This order switches around daily, lol.  Family doesn't always like my hobbies, how messy I get. Dinner might be out on the deck, because I have tea dyed something on the table or have scraps of fabric and paper piled up. Right now, I have Poe on my table. He is tiny and in the shape of a ...you'll see soon enough ;D  

     My husband loves to fish,  I think of happiness like fishing. Sometimes we hook happiness and sometimes we don't. Sometimes it swims away rather quickly, but we can find it again. Taking time out to see beauty every day, lend a helping hand to someone, leaving a kind comment on a blog, call a friend, random acts of kindness to strangers, helping the neighbor with her groceries, these things make me happy.   I am a happier person when I help or create. I find my soul has time to get away from my life's routine.  Sometimes I find happy, when I'm striving towards a goal, reach it and move on to another one.
     I said, sometimes...my thighs aren't thrilled about my bike goal. I have completed 245.5 mls so far.
I think I need yoga to get the kinks out.

I found this article and thought I would share.  I 'm finding #1 difficult and #4 tough. My family doesn't  understand my desire to make art.  It happens sometimes...don't give up, find a way to express you~   What makes you happy and what numbers#  speak to you?   A hummingbird just buzzed by my window. They are back; I'm happy :D


Here are five steps to help you become the CEO of your own happiness:

1. Put yourself at the top of your list.

This means tuning in to what your heart is telling you on a regular basis, caring for your physical and spiritual health, and slowing down enough to allow yourself to receive and enjoy life. Doing this will enable you to offer your best self to others.

2. Set boundaries.

This means saying “no” more often than you may be used to. Saying “yes” to obligations that are not a fit for your emotional fitness or priorities will only lead you to feeling over-extended and stressed out.

3. Approach each day from a mindset of positivity and gratitude.

Work to get into this place as soon as you wake up each morning. This leads to endless possibility. Focus on positive thoughts and keep an eye out for open doors, open arms, and open minds.

4. Look closely on a regular basis at what you’re tolerating.

Ask yourself if there are changes you can make to reduce or eliminate things or relationships in your life that are draining your energy and dimming your light.

5. Remember that the people you spend the most time with have a huge impact on the quality of your life.

Choose carefully and then spend lots of time with them, especially the ones who make you laugh.
The truth is that it takes work and practice on a daily basis to create a truly happy life.  The good news is that the more you practice, the easier it will come. If you’re willing to commit, you’ll discover that joy, love, and inner-peace are among our most beautiful of renewable resources.  
This is a contribution by Kristi Blicharski
 

Comments

The third one is very profound. And we need to say no sometimes or we overstretch. Then no one is happy.
And that's a lot of miles - congratulations!
Emily R. King said…
Wonderful list! Saying no can be tough, but being honest about limits helps everyone in the long run.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
A great, positive post, kiddo......I love that you are making art on the dining table and eating on the deck. Eating on the deck is FUN!!!!! Keep making your art, you are talented. I love the Dalai Lama quote up top......
Sharkbytes said…
Art is good. Where you ate dinner doesn't matter. That you ate with your family does. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge blogs this month.
Daydreamertoo said…
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!~!

Lovely ...hope you are having a very H Happy weekend :)
Dorthe said…
Oh Ella, so many great-shout outs- all so true, and sometimes difficult to handle- but we are only humans...and surely not HAPPY alwayes. But as you say,practicing will make it easier--that ,as everything else.
Thankyou for your post-Hugs Dorthe
Unknown said…
Your post makes me happy! Yes, blogging makes me happy, but dinner's late so I probably won't be happy when people start telling me they're hungry! I'm going to try and put #3 into practice.
nutschell said…
That's a great list. I love #3>

Great A-Z post!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
A great list most enjoyable to read.
An excellent choice for H.
Yvonne.
Sean Vessey said…
Happiness is a great H
like Hope...
wow! Lots of miles! I need a goal like that . . .hmm. Love your happy list and advice.
What wonderful advice! :D


My A-Z
Jolie du Pre said…
Yep, everything you wrote is right on point.
Scarlett Clay said…
Yes!! Can't wait to see your Poe submission! Guess I'll have to wait for 'P'?:)
Ella said…
Scarlett-I wasn't going to do this challenge. Daughter came home talking about the Poe poem "The Raven" then inspiration struck. Funny, how that happens...Yes, you'll have to wait for P ;D

Jolie-Thank you :D I'll be by to visit you

Jaycee-Thank you, just wanted to stay upbeat, while I was in the eye of the storm. Everyone was home today and the internet kept going down. I can laugh, now ;D

Tyrean-Thank you! Yes, maybe my legs will thank me, but for now they are mad, lol

Sean-Yes, I saw a few Hope posts. They were really good~


Yvonne-Thank you! I enjoyed yours, too :D

Nutshell-They all have a learning curve ;D

Susan-ought oh! lol You are funny~
I hope they were happy they had someone make their dinner ;D One can hope...

Dorthe-I so enjoyed your post and you put in a lot of H words :D
One of my favorites is hug~ (((hugs))) to you

Bren-Thank you! I hope you did too!
I will email you soon~

Sharkbytes-I agree and there was food to eat, lol! I love your name ;D it makes me happy~

Sherry-Yes, easier that way. I did put art on the deck and it blew away! Never again, lol Hey, they need to be happy! I'd eat popcorn for dinner and be thrilled, ;D

Emily-Yes, #3 is tough, but we do a more damage to ourselves when we are over taxed. I know I fumble more and have a lot more accidents.
Best to do what we can...not easy, though~

Alex-Thank you! Yes, difficult, but necessary to be another H-honest! :D
In that I am cognizant. Cognizant of being able to see, to feel, to breath in the waft of the day, to listen to the wind, birds, music, etc.

To read, to witness the art and expression of those that can communicate it through brush or pen. This gives me joy and contentment.

Poe's 'the Raven' is coming to theaters. My understanding is that the narrative is more about Poe's mind.
Amanda Trought said…
Ella, Its funny family may never understand our passions, I try and compare it to something they really love to do - my son's is American football and husband - writing and tell them if they could no longer do them how would they feel. The list is great, I need to do all of them more. Blessings, Amanda
Ella said…
Hi Amanda-I know mine won't. They say they do, but I see them snicker. It is okay, I love them besides their hobbies, lol. Son,is into gaming and wants to build another computer. Daughter is into playing with make up and making homemade tanning lotion with coco powder, lol It didn't turn out well... I said, "don't do it". Hubby is into fishing, hunting, and now Zombie movies. And they laugh at me, lol Blessing to you!

Nene-Thanks that was beautiful!
Really, how fascinating! My kids argued about my interpretation...
I have an artistic license to see it my way ;D
Hi Ella .. I can see you giving to others - they are happy, you are happy - but you need space too .. space for you to create, so you can be happy - then they will be happy ..

We just need to be compassionately happy with everyone else and us ..

Happiness is ... cheers Hilary
Ella said…
Cheers Hilary to finding our happy!
:D Thank you, so fun to read ;D