Do Happy - Be Happy

5 Easy Concepts to Practice while Searching for Happiness
I INVITE YOU TO TRY THEM:

1. Find and Nourish Your Best:

"Strive toward excellence based on your unique talents and potential". Ask yourself, what are my strengths? What things/activities make me feel energized and optimistic? Listen to your inner self; let your emotions/feeling guide you towards finding out. Once you have a basic idea, continue doing this things. Strive towards a better you and don't give up! It takes practice.

2. Plan/Design Your Happiness:

Did you know that you are the master of your destiny? I know this one might be hard to swallow, but everything you get you bring to your life. The process is simple: you think it, you make it. Now, don't get wrapped up in the technicality of it all. Don't waste time arguing against or towards it; just be, do, and create for yourself. Give it a try! Sit down, think out what you want in your life, what would really make you happy - not things, but feelings. Design your life; make a plan. Be creative; have fun. You can sketch it, paint it, write, make a collage (see treasure maps)... Just make sure to keep it around as a reminder of what you want, what will make you happy. Once you have it planned, get to it. Do what brings most joy into your life.

Interesting links:
Create Your Treasure Map to All You Desire
Treasure Mapping
Thanks Maricruz for the links.

3. Stay Present

This is one of the most important concepts to put into practice and sometimes the hardest. But in order to feel happy and be happy, one must be present and connected to the now. It is not about going back to the "good old days", nor is it always contemplating a better time to come. Happiness is rooted in the present , its felt here, NOW. Opportunities to experience happiness present themselves everyday, so stay firm on the ground with your eyes wide open. Avoid wasting your time daydreaming, you might just miss your life... Stay connected to the people around you and the events that unfold in your everyday experience. "Keep your life full of novelty, even if it's just trying a new activity or putting a new spin on an old favorite".

4. Be With Others

Remember that line from the movie Into The Wild (2007) ? Happiness is only real when shared. Think about it: have you ever felt extremely excited about something only to find this feeling quickly scape you because you have no one to share it with? "It is no surprise that social engagement is one of the most important contributors to happiness". Happiness is experienced at its best in the company of others. It is during that interaction that we find new ways of looking at life, recharge our hope in times of despair, create new realities and purpose for moving forward... It is in the company of others that we are the best we can be, and being our best is the number one source of happiness.

5. Allow Yourself to BE HAPPY

It sounds simple, but many people stop themselves from experiencing simple happiness. I know because I am one of those people. Many times I find myself wrapped up on my day to day responsibilities, living like I'm racing against the clock f my life. This non stop accomplishment driven routine stops me from feeling simple joy: I STOP MYSELF FROM FELLING SIMPLE HAPPINESS. A second taken to rest, breath, goes against all rules of productivity - something I have learn to make myself feel guilty about. But why do we do this to ourselves? Why don't we just allow ourselves to feel the joy of "non-productive" stillness?
For many, too much happiness goes against basic believes. For others it just feels like too much indulgence. But we must understand that in order to feel happy, we must first allow ourselves the time to experience simple joy. Take a 5 minute break, do some breathing exercises, go for a walk in the middle of the day, enjoy a child's smile, get home early from work and hug your family, call your friends, let your parents know how much you love them... Practice simple joy unconditionally - Allow yourself to be happy!

Best Wishes for a Life Filled with Happiness!
Ofelia Badia-Piñero

Adapted from the O, Magazine article 5 Things Happy People Do By Gabrielle LeBlanc