10 Things to Brighten Your Day

ONE

Set the joy you will experience in the day. This was taught to me by my daughter. Her son - my grandson - often wakes up angry at the world. She told him “It’s your choice. You can see the world that way or you can be happy. It’s your choice.”

TWO

Focus on what you have. "To want what you don't have is to waste what you do have." I often get frustrated at my “to do list”. But when I look at my completed list, it pails in resect.

THREE

Keep happy reminders around... photos of your loved ones, memories of what you did 1 year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. I love Google photos that keeps reminding me of the places I’ve been and the things I’ve done.

FOUR

Keep a gratitude list. Be thankful for all the good stuff in your life. There are often so many things big and small. It’s been raining in my area - a lot. Well- that’s made everything lush and beautiful. My toe was hurting because I walked too much. Great. At lest I can feel. I think you get the idea.

FIVE

Write down three things that brought you joy in the past 24 hours. That’s a small list. My granddaughter doing a dance. My wife making me a coffee. The nice cabin I have at the lake.

SIX

Don't let anyone or anything ruin your day. The choice is yours. You have the power to focus on the positive or the negative. Stay positive. It’s about attitude - one of my Golden Pearls. David Goggins, the author of Can’t Hurt Me”says “The only thing more contagious than a bad attitude is a good attitude.”

SEVEN

Want what you have. In Buddhist thinking, suffering comes from non-acceptance. Stop resisting, start enjoying your life right now. I spend a part of each day moving forward, a part recanting what I’ve done, and a part looking at what I’m doing. It’s perpetual and part is rejoicing for what I’ve done.

EIGHT

Be still. Mediate, take a walk in the garden, sit quietly for a few minutes. According to Deepak Chopra, happiness isn't dependent on our mood or circumstance. Real happiness comes from our own inner joy.

It’s about the journey along the way.?

NINE

Be around children. Young kids find happiness everywhere. Observe them at play and some of that might rub off on you. Recently, my oldest daughter and her family moved in with us as her house is not ready. It’s been a joy and a privilege to be part of their lives.

TEN

Don't forget your sense of humor. A little laughter can change your perspective and lift your spirits. In my presentations, I talk about L.A.U.G.H., an eponym from Allen Klein, the world's only jollyologist

L - loosen up. You can’t enjoy if you don’t

A- Attitude -remember we talked about that

U - You - yes I’ve cheated :)

G - Get going - You can’t make progress by staying in one place

H- Humor eyes - cultivate the ability to see things differently

10 Things To Brighten Your Day