Too often we are so busy striving to improve and to reach our goals, we don't allow ourselves to "arrive" and be happy today.
As you quietly reflect on last year, when were you happiest? Who were you with? What were you doing? What event or person made your heart skip a beat? When did you laugh so hard, as one friend said, tears ran down your pant leg? That's what you need more of this year.
Often we believe that happiness is dependent on external things: "I'll be happy when I have more money, when the kids are settled, when I have a better job, when I have more stuff..." True happiness does not come from outer, but inner abundance.
New things do give our brains a hit of the feel-good medicine dopamine, which is pleasurable but fleeting. Dozens of studies show that many of the things we think will bring us happiness do not, at least not for long. Research at the University of Illinois proved that, no matter how eagerly anticipated the item was, within three months, its effect on people's well being was negligible.
Happiness is a choice. While that is likely over simplified, it is still true. It takes as much effort to live an unhappy life as it does to lead a happy one. It depends on our choices.
So choose to be happy. Make your list. What joy-filled moments do you want more of? You have the power to create a life filled with smiles, giggles, chuckles and belly-laughs!
Wishing you a HAPPY, healthy 2015!
