how do i live a happy life?

I often wonder why some people are happy with a simple life yet others find negatives in everyday. I find this such a sad way to live. Because, a lot of those negative things that upset us, are usually out of our control. We could not change them no matter how hard we tried.

I personally am a happy person. I find joy in the simplest things, I like to believe that there is good in everyone I meet and in everywhere I go. Yes I know, some may think that I am not living in reality!! But, it’s my choice is to live this way and, have a positive outlook on life.

Yes I know there is also plenty of bad in this world but, I believe that we can choose whether or not we let the negatives become our focus or the positives. I choose the positives :). I live a happy, peaceful, stress free (for the most part) life. I love being surrounded by like minded people. In my little community, I have met some of the most wonderful, kind hearted, generous people. I feel this, though they have not done anything exceptional for me to feel like this. They are just simply really friendly people that brighten my day. I show gratitude everyday for the blessings in my life. For instance, i think we have been given the most loveliest neighbours. It brightens my day to see Michelle & Grant and have a chat at the fence.

My attitude towards life in general, goes a long way to making sure that I enjoy my life. The change in the way I saw life all began with a Gratitude Journal many, many years ago.

Starting a Gratitude Journal is a great way of changing they way you look at life. This is really easy and a cheap way to see what you truly have in your life. To begin find a book to record your notes and thoughts. Write down the things that you are grateful for. This can be a simple note pad or a fancy decorative journal. Then begin by writing in it daily, preferably before bed each night. Jot down all of the things that happened in your day that you are grateful for.

These things can be as simple as….”The new neighbour said hi to me today”, The girl at the grocery store was really friendly and cheered me up today”, “I saw my Granddaughter today”, “My son did not get angry with me today”.

Or it may be more the surroundings that you found yourself in, that you’re grateful for, such as….the jacaranda tree is beautiful in flower, the sun felt wonderful and warm on my face, the birds singing in my garden made me smile. You will find that as the days progress it becomes easier to find those wonderful things that you are grateful for.

It has also been said, the first thought of the day, when you wake up is a guide to how your day will be. So try waking up and immediately telling yourself,

• “Today is going to be great.”
• “I am going to have a wonderful day.”
• “Today I will find joy in little things.”

When you change the way you see the world, it can bring endless benefits and happiness to each and every day. It allows you to open your heart and your mind to the beauty that surrounds us each and every day. It allows us to let in the sun, the rainbows and most of all the happiness.

So go now and be happy, then infect your happiness, your love and your joy for life, with everyone that crosses your path.

If only one person who reads this, decides to give this a go, then my work is done. For it only takes one to try, then share with one other and suddenly our world begins to become that wonderful place we want it to be.