By Lisa Cypers Kamen.
Every once in a while we all need to take the time to do some self-reflection and evaluating in our lives. Maybe you aren’t as happy as you used to be or just can’t find that happy moment in your life that used to be there.
You might ask yourself: How can I find happiness?
Try looking at the little things- the first word from your child, a beautiful sunset or something else that while seeming to be small can bring a smile to your face even for just a minute. Am I looking for the happiness that is in my life? There may be a hidden “gem” in your life that you hadn’t even thought brought you happiness. As with the last question, it can be found in the smallest things….and when you least expect it.
Do I focus only on the negative events in my life? This isn’t to say there won’t be negative moments in life – it’s just a part of the overall human experience – but you can choose how negative events affect you and look for the positive ones.
Happiness is a perpetually present choice we make. Happiness can exist alongside adversity. Granted, some moments in life are happier than others. However, it is our personally empowered outlook of the situation that can make all the difference. True happiness comes from within and coexists with the ups and downs of life.
These are just a few of the questions you might ask yourself when it feels as though there is little or no happiness in your life. Remember to take the time and reflect as well as enjoy those happy moments. You may even want to make a happiness journal in which you write down one or two things that made you happy that day. Then when you have a low moment in your day, you can pull out your journal and reflect back on that event that made you happy.
Lisa Cypers Kamen is a filmmaker, positive psychology coach, author, host of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio, professor and lecturer specializing in the field of sustainable happiness. She is widely recognized as an expert on the subject. Lisa’s acclaimed documentary film co-produced with her now fifteen year-old daughter, Kayla, “H-Factor…Where is your heart?” explores how people in varied circumstances find, generate and share happiness. In addition to her film on happiness, Lisa has also published a number of articles and books entitled, Got Happiness Now?, Are We Happy Yet?, Leadership: Helping Others to Succeed and Reintegration Strategies, about combat trauma and using positive psychology principles to create wellness in a post-war new normal. Lisa’s written work is featured on blogs for the Huffington Post, PositivelyPositive.com and InspireMeToday.com and she is a TEDx community event speaker. In addition, she is the Happiness Expert for the Florida Department of Citrus/ Florida Orange Juice in its Take on the Day campaign.
Harvesting Happiness for Heroes™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that delivers stigma-free integrated combat trauma recovery services to warriors and their loved ones. Modalities include scientifically proven strengths based Positive Psychology coaching and interdisciplinary tools such as film, yoga, meditation, art and creative writing designed to mindfully empower the client to achieve increased self-mastery, self-esteem and reclaim her/his life. HH4Heroes focuses on the balance of mind, body and emotion resulting in greater overall wellbeing and the transformation of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) into Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). HH4Heroes offers retreat workshops, one-on-one coaching, Battle Buddy programs, as well as our new R.E.B.O.O.T Online virtual community coaching classrooms designed to reach underserved areas. In addition, HH4Heroes deploys Return to Duty™ civilian and corporate training to help welcome a warrior home and into the community and workplace.
Lisa is committed to teaching Happiness is an inside job™ and helping others end their needless suffering through intentionally cultivating greater joy.
Hi Lisa, It’s simply beautiful thank you and my blessings.