I suggest to all my clients that they come up with an A to Z list of how to live a happy life. Below is just one version of what they have come up with. I hope it will encourage you to come up with your own.
How to Have a Happy Life A-Z
Appreciate yourself and others. Accept everything as it is. Appreciation is the ability to see good in yourself and others. It does not change who you are but how you perceive things.
Be yourself! This is the main goal in life. Do not try to be someone else. It is draining. You are unique, special and perfect, just the way you are. Cherish it!
Creativity is a peak state. Expose yourself to creative forms of art. Watch creative people and try to be creative. A simple canvas and colors can discover the artist within.
Dream big! “Aim for the moon, worst case you will land among the stars”. Only those who expect more out of life, achieve more out of life.
Freedom is an inside feeling and inside work. Remember you are the person who has the ability to choose. You are the one who imprisons yourself or the one that can set yourself free. You are either the master or the slave. Practice the freedom you were born with and remember you have plenty of choices.
Gratitude is the way to thank the universe for all the good things in life. In life, you get what you focus on. The more grateful you are, the more you focus on what you have.
Hugging and physical touch are essential for good health and wellbeing. “12 hugs a day will keep the doctor away”. Make sure you hug a lot. And remember, giving is receiving.
Laughter has great healing abilities. It even strengthens your immune system. Surround yourself with laughing people and actively choose to do, watch and see funny things.
Make yourself delicious food and desserts from time to time. Let go of a bit of healthy eating and enjoy some extra sugar, chocolate and fun desserts. Pick days you do not have to concentrate too much and indulge.
Offer a helping hand to others. Helping others to be and do what they want is the best method to connect to others. It combines kindness and acceptance.
Play and have fun. Remember the quote, “We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing”. Keep playing even if you are 40 years old. For kids, this is the only answer to “how to have a happy life”.
Quotes of motivation and encouragements can be useful guidelines for living. Collect quotes and hang them in a place that will remind you of how you want to live your life.
Record all your successes. That way, when you are feeling down, you can look at them and remember that you are strong, good, smart, able and successful. Write it down, film it, record it or carve it in stone.
Together we can make a huge difference in our world. Find those who share the same values and work together with them to achieve your goal.
United we stand, divided we fall! Work collaboratively with others. In human resources, 1 + 1 equals a lot more than 2. By working together you can achieve much more than you can alone.
Value yourself! It is hard for others to value you if you do not appreciate your own value. Self value is a sign of self esteem. It will make you associate with those people who feel the same way about themselves. If you have low self esteem, you will attract friends with low self esteem. If you have a higher self value, your friends will as well.
Work smart but not necessary hard. Develop yourself. If you are not moving forward, others will continue on and you will get left behind. Personal development is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. It does not even require a lot of money to do it, just commitment.
eXpress yourself somehow. (Yes, I know, X is very challenging). You can do it through art or a hobby, sing in the shower or with friends. Self expression is essential for good health and wellbeing. It is the voice you have inside that tells the world about you. Use it or lose it!
Zip your mouth when you have nothing good to say. I find this a very helpful rule to have. If you have nothing good to say, keep quiet.
I hope these tips help you build your own A to Z “how to have a happy life” guide.
Wishing you a happy life,
Ronit