7 Steps to a Happier Life

Ever have one of those mornings?

It was one of those mornings for me recently - the kind where you just wake up in a negative mood and unhappy place. I did not like the feeling...

I also realized that I did not want to feel miserable all day. And it was my choice to decide what kind of day I wanted to have. I could choose to be unhappy or happy.

It is your choice too - every single day.

To Be Happy, now. Versus, being happy when...

You know what I mean. You may have said to yourself, I will be happy when:

• I get that job.
• I have more money.
• I live in that house.
• I lose the weight.
• I meet that person.

But why would you want to wait to be happy? If you wait for this thing or that thing to happen before you can be happy, you may be waiting a long time.

You can make a different choice - to be happy now. As this does not always come naturally (we are human after all), here are some building blocks to begin cultivating a spirit of happiness in your life.

7 Steps to a Happier Life:

1. Wake up on the right side of the bed.

Before you even get out of bed take a few deep breaths and ask yourself "what kind of day would I like to have?" Imagine yourself having your best day and then get up and going with that inspired intention.

2. Focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Each day you have a choice - to dwell on what is going well in your life, or what is not going well. Choose to focus on the positive.

3. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with great happiness.

What are you truly grateful for? Think about it and then actually experience the sensation of how gratitude feels in your body. The more you do this the easier it becomes.

4. Hang out with happy people.

One of the ways to increase your own happiness is to surround yourself with positive, optimistic, life-building people.

Ask yourself, are the people that you spend the most time with generally happy? If not, it may be time to make some changes to your crowd.

5. Do things that make you happy.

This may sound simple, but so many people trudge through life caught up in activities that make them miserable.

If you want to be happy, be intentional about adding activities that light you up and bring a smile to your face. Eliminate those that bring you down or leave you feeling empty.

6. Fill your mind with happy things.

Think about the things that you take into your mind each day. Do you listen to happy music, read books that are positive, and watch shows that are uplifting?

Identify where you may need to make changes and take action.

7. Think and speak happy.

A positive mindset is the recipe for a happy life.

Take an attitude check when you need to. When your thoughts are happy ones, your words and actions will follow.

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Let me ask you, what can you do to be happy right now? Begin cultivating this happiness in your life now. Use this list as a starting point.

Decide every morning what kind of day you want to have, and then live it.

Be happy now.