What will it take for YOU to be HAPPY?

Do you wish you could feel happier more often? In the short video below Business and Success Coach Brenda Byers-Im shares 3 WAYS you can INCREASE the HAPPINESS you feel.EVERYDAY.

Happiness is an “inside job”

Many people have an “external locus of control”. They believe something OUTSIDE of them self needs to change for them to be happy.  They follow the

“IF __________changes THEN I will be happy”

model of living.  If their spouse, boss, children, economy, government, etc. changes that will lead to happiness.

An “internal locus of control” understands that happiness, and even deeper joy,  is an inside job.

3 keys to Increase Your Happiness

1. Be in the Present

The greatest thing that steals our happiness is getting stuck in the past or having anxiety about the future.

Focusing on the past often leads to “coulda-woulda-shoulda’s” and regrets.  Focusing on the future leads to worry about all the what-ifs. Most of which never happen.

When we stay in the present we can begin to enjoy the beauty that is all around us. Take the time to “stop and smell the roses”.  Savor the delicious meal. Take in the sights and sounds.  Most of us neglect to enjoy this until we are threatened with losing it.

I remember staying in a windowless hospital room when my newborn had to be in intensive care.  A week later when I walked outside the sun was so bright and the sky was so blue!  The breeze felt like kisses from heaven.  What if we lived like that every day?

2.  Gratitude

Start and end your day with gratitude.

When you feel your mood go down take a gratitude break.

Think of 5 things you are thankful for. Be grateful your heart is beating and your lungs are breathing.  Feel gratitude for the beauty of nature;  that the sky is blue, the birds are singing, you had food to eat.

Allow the fact that you are alive and that God loves you to warm your heart.  Find things even little things to be thankful for.  Sometimes I thank God for my pillow!

3.  Quiet time

I love the scripture verse

“The JOY of the LORD is MY STRENGTH” – Neh. 8:10

Take time with your Maker to discover who you are.  Know you are made in His image, you are beautiful and deeply loved.  Reflect on the times in your past when little or big miracles happened.  Reflect on all the beautiful promises of God.  Listen to beautiful music that inspires you.  Read a biography of someone you admire.  Journal.  All of this thing refresh and renew our mind.

Over time we can develop a new set point where joy and happiness become our new “normal”

Praying YOU Prosper in ALL things!

Brenda

P.S.  Do you have ways to increase the joy and happiness you feel?  Please share in the comments below!  And if you enjoy these posts please remember to hit the thumbs up, subscribe button and the bell.