10 Things To Make Me Happy

This is going to be the hardest of the tasks in this list. Set your alarm clock just 5 minutes earlier than usual. It does help if your alarm wakes you gently and sweetly rather than stridently. When it goes off, relax back into bed and bask in the extra gift of time. Enjoy the cosiness - if you have a tendency to drift off then be sure to set the snooze button. The object is to feel good before you get up. Set your intention that this day be a really good one. Smile as you stretch, catlike, and enjoy your first happy moment of the day. There, not too difficult was it?

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Make the most of your first beverage, whether it be coffee, green tea, juice or water. Pretend that you have been denied liquid for a long time and really appreciate the life-giving drink. Sip and savor. Do the same with breakfast. Enjoy every mouthful. Don't rush or you will risk turning a potential good day into a hurried, stressful one.

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If you have time, make a short list of things you want to accomplish today. Write them in a positive way. For example: if you have a list of work-related tasks then write them like this:

a. I will enjoy my phone call with Helen. I look forward to reaching the solution we both want.

b. I'm going to feel relaxed in my meeting with Mr Jones. I appreciate what his company are offering.

c. I'll call Fred and see if he can make lunch. It would be great to get his opinion on my new idea.

Or, if you are more like me and have a family and kids to deal with then it might go something like this:

a. I'm going to enlist the children's help this morning. We are going to pretend that a King is coming to visit and we have to dust the house in readiness. This will be a fun game for us to play.

b. I am going to do the grocery shopping online today. I know I will find lots of bargains and probably get free delivery as well.

c. I'll explain to the kids that I would like an hour to spend on a writing project this afternoon. I'll organise an activity for them and we'll all have a nice, peaceful, productive time.

The very last item on your list is, "I will look for, and appreciate, happy moments thoughout the day".

Yes, I know it is longer than a normal to-do list but, trust me, it is well worth framing your intentions in an upbeat and positive way. By expecting the best, you will get the best.

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Wherever you are, take a moment to stop, look around and find something to appreciate. Could be the weather, the view from your window, a loved-one's smile, a pet, your favorite room, your lovely hair, your laptop, your mother, grocery delivery services, the fact that you have a job or a project to work on. Just appreciate it for the benefit it brings to your life. Just let the warm feelings of having or seeing this thing fill you up with joy. It could be a flower or a pebble. It could be your cat's purr. It might be the smell of the cookies you are baking. Just one small thing right here, right now.

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Smile at someone or a situation that you wouldn't normally smile at. Look at a coworker and give him or her a big grin. For no reason. Turn your head at the lights and smile at the guy next to you. Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Force it, go on, just do it because I said so.

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Avoid the news. This is a big one. For today only do not switch on the news channel. Do not read a newspaper. Listen to music, read an uplifting book, watch comedy or old movies instead. Do not allow the endless broadcasting of misery to enter your life. Yes, I know you're addicted to CNN but, please, just this once... NO NEWS CHANNEL.

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Do something nice for you. One small thing. Paint your toenails, spend 15 minutes reading something uplifting. Oh... of course, you are doing that already. Eat something small and delicious without caring about its calorie content. Have a little nap. Give yourself some compliments. Know that you are a great person doing your best to have a great day. Tell yourself you deserve to have a good day, in fact you deserve a ton of brilliant days. Just be nice to you.

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Do something nice for someone else. One tiny thing. Bring them a drink of water from the cooler. Pick up that paper that flew off their desk. Brush your daughter's hair. Read your son an adventure story. Tell your kids about 'the olden days' when you were a child. The point of this is simply to make a deliberate connection with another human being, however brief. Normally, you wouldn't think twice about it, you'd just fetch the drink or pick up the paper - today, however, be aware that it's not what you are doing; it's the connection you are making.

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Pay a bill today. Yes, I mean it. Pay a bill. As you do so, appreciate the benefit of the service you are paying for, whatever it is. Normally we hate paying bills; it's almost as painful as pulling teeth. Just this once, pay a bill and be happy to do it. Feel gratitude for the electricity that comes to your home, pay your mortgage and reaffirm why you have it. Feel rich as you pay the bill, even if you aren't. Feel powerful as you make the exchange - your money for their great service.

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When you experience something negative - and you will, for sure - be aware of the moment. Deliberately think these words, "I have to deal with this thing (whatever it is) but I don't have to feel bad about it right now. I'm doing what needs to be done and I can feel bad later." Once you put aside the need to respond to the negative event with a negative emotion, you'll find that you won't really have to experience the bad feeling at all. Try it, it works wonders.

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Did I say there were 10 things? Well there's one more. As you are settling into your bed and closing your eyes, draw your thoughts into yourself. Don't think about anything further away than the comforter around you and the pillow beneath your head. Bring yourself back to that moment earlier in the day when you basked in the comfort of your bed. Relax and drift away, knowing that you have another chance to thread a necklace of happy moments tomorrow.

Night night. Sleep tight.

Photo: Alex, taken by me.

Look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of love.
Seek that which uplifts you.
Seek opportunity to offer that which uplifts another.
Seek a feeling of well-being.
Know that your value can only be measured in terms of joy.
Acknowledge your absolute freedom to do any of these things or not do any of these things, for it is without exception your choice in every moment of every day.

- Abraham-Hicks -