Cultivate Appreciation
According to happiness experts, gratitude and appreciation are associated with happiness and life satisfaction. Taking a moment to experience appreciation is a marvelous counterpoint to the constant bombardment of media messages that tell us we don’t have enough stuff or that we aren’t good enough, rich enough, beautiful enough, and so on. Appreciation brings us into the present. Perhaps you sit in the park for a few minutes and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face. Maybe you lie in bed and enjoy the peace and quiet of the early morning. Allowing yourself to fully take in and enjoy the moment brings a sense of contentment.
If you've forgotten the language of gratitude, you'll never be on speaking terms with happiness.
It seems that the more grateful a person is, the less depressed they are.
1) Keep a daily journal of three things you are thankful for. This works well first thing in the morning, or just before you go to bed.
2) Make it a practice to tell a spouse, partner or friend something you appreciate about them every day.
3) Look in the mirror when you are brushing your teeth, and think about something you have done well recently or something you like about yourself.
Forgive
Forgiveness holds the possibility for expanding our capacity to love. There is only one reason to forgive. If we want to be free, if we want to live as the full and unlimited expression of ourselves, if we want our hearts to open, then we are being invited to put an end to all stories that keep us closed. When you hold on to a past hurt, you are allowing yourself to continue to be hurt over and over again in your mind, even after the hurtful behavior has ceased. Think of the amount of energy it takes to remain angry to hold onto a grievance. Such energy is wasted and wears on your heart, mind, and spirit. Forgiving is not about another person, it helps you.
Consider also these benefits of forgiveness: less stress, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, improved sleep, greater psychological well being.
Do something to make someone else happy. Happiness is contagious and bringing someone else happiness will in turn bring happiness to you.
Photo by Hossein Attar