By Lisa Cypers Kamen.
Choose A State of Happiness. Remember that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our social standing as a member of society or how much money we make or have. As long as we have the basic necessities in life, things are pretty good. It also depends on what are focus in life happens to be. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? We need to get back to living in the moment and experiencing everything, just like we did when we were young.
Make time to treat yourself like you would a favorite child. The caring, the attention, the concern that you would give a small child, give that attention to yourself. Put healthy food on your plate at regular times. Take time to listen to your inner voice. Take the time in your busy life to meet friends, take care of your health, and practice moderation. Ask yourself, Do I have what I need for a good life? Remember to always love yourself.
Create Moments of Happiness. What gives you happiness depends on who you are. Do you enjoy a half hour of exercise? A few minutes of quiet? A walk around the neighborhood? Plan your own happiness for today. Be sure to schedule time for your Moment of Happiness. Give it the top priority. Live in that moment of happiness. Relive the moment again later. Journal it. Remember it. Savor it. When you start to feel down or upset, recall that moment of happiness. It will change your mood dramatically.
Happiness is an inside job®.
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.
Really loved this post. I am a believer that feelings can be fostered. And your tips are most helpful. Simple practices often bring the best results when it comes to feeling happy.
I am learning what “self care” means. For me, it is sitting in a room with candles lit and meditating. It means eating more healthy food. It means forgiving myself and others for past mistakes with love and joy, rather than out of fear.