Reclaiming Your Life by Choosing Happiness with Dr. Elia Gourgouris
Happiness is not a passive state but an active choice that involves intentional actions and mindsets. However, we tend to cling more to survival due to external pressures, internal conflicts, and harmful habits. But what if I told you that there’s a way you can break free from these negative patterns and reclaim your life??
In this article, Dr. Elia Gourgouris, America’s Happiness Doctor, shares tips on how to reclaim your life by making positive choices that foster better emotional, mental, and spiritual health.?
“Almost everyone, in their last dying breaths, just wishes they let themselves be happy and everybody else be happy. Let's not have that regret. Let's choose happiness rather than pursue happiness.”?– Ashish Kothari
The seven paths to lasting happiness
Choosing happiness isn't as easy as just deciding to be happy. What happens in our lives, how our brains work, what we're taught, and what we've experienced can influence our choices. In that case, how can we reclaim our lives? While happiness isn't always a simple choice, it's often a matter of cultivating intentional actions, such as Dr. Elia’s seven paths to lasting happiness:
We can't always control our circumstances, but we can often choose how we respond to them. This is what choosing happiness means. It's knowing that life won’t always be easy, but we can acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them, and move forward with compassion and understanding. In other words, choosing happiness takes a whole lot of self-forgiveness.
The importance of self-forgiveness
We’ve always been harsh self-critics, constantly berating ourselves for our flaws and shortcomings. We often think of self-forgiveness as condoning harmful actions, and society has ingrained the thinking that we must always be perfect and that mistakes are shameful. How can we reclaim our lives and choose joy if we keep holding onto that guilt and self-blame?
“Self-forgiveness is the ultimate act of self-compassion. If you don’t practice self-forgiveness, you wake up every morning carrying the weight of your regrets, like a backpack full of rocks.” – Dr. Elia Gourgouris
Think of your past mistakes as a heavy backpack. Carrying that weight around can be exhausting and slow you down. Self-forgiveness is like tossing that backpack overboard. It doesn’t mean you forget your mistakes or absolve yourself of responsibility. It just means you’re no longer letting them hold you back.?
The day to forgive yourself once and for all! It’s time to give yourself the permission to move forward.
How to choose happiness every day
Life and happiness are as much about what we remove from it as what we add. If you want to reclaim your life by choosing happiness, it starts with building key habits into your routine. Here are the top ways you can choose happiness every day:
By choosing these small, meaningful habits, you’re not just getting through the day—you’re reclaiming your life by choosing happiness every step of the way.
Conclusion
Choosing happiness is a powerful way to reclaim your life. While it may sound simple, it's a conscious decision that requires effort and practice. Happiness is all about our daily choices: self-care, gratitude, forgiveness, kindness, living with purpose, spiritual connection, and building healthy relationships. Which path will you start with today?
Account Management Expert, Host of The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, Techstars alum & startup mentor
3 周Great one. I love Elia Gourgouris Ph.D.’s work!
Transformative Change Leader | Lean Six Sigma | Nationally Board Certified-Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) | American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer (ACE-PT) | Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC)
3 周Thanks for posting this. I am grateful I am part of the REWIRE program at the City of Fort Collins. I love being part of the Happiness Squad. Dr. Elia’s seven paths to lasting happiness are amazing. I struggle with self-forgiveness. My inner critic is loud. I am curious about what other people are working towards on this list from Dr. Elia. ??
??Men 40+: Unlock Your Best Body. Lose 10-30 Lbs And Build Strength Without Diets or Gyms Visits | Former Corporate Marketer Turned Nutrition & Kettlebell Coach
3 周This post reminded me of Victor Frankl's philosophy. The choice is ours, Ashish Kothari
Human Resources Executive for the City of Fort Collins (CHRO) /Be present, stay conscious, act compassionately.
3 周Thank you. The REWIRE program at the City of Fort Collins is going well! Thank you!