Don't Worry...Be Happy
Be happy!
""The business of the wise man (or woman) is to be happy."~~Samuel Johnson
When asked what they want most from life... for themselves and their children... people from all over the world say they want happiness. Research shows that happy people are more creative, more helpful and more forgiving; they are also more productive, more giving, more resilient and more healthy. Happy people make good friends, strong family & team members and are simply more likable. Being happy does not just benefit us, it benefits all those around us as well.
Aristotle described happiness as the chief good. He wrote "Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." There are many examples of people who have riches, position and/or power, but they are not happy. So, what can you do to increase your happiness... this chief good?
Here are a few simple things you can work on to increase your happiness and the happiness of those around you:
William Yeats wrote, "Happiness is neither virtue or pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing." Apply these simple action steps, track your actions & results, measure your success and keep growing!
Don't worry... be happy!
Dr. Rick McMichael
When asked what they want most from life... for themselves and their children... people from all over the world say they want happiness. Research shows that happy people are more creative, more helpful and more forgiving; they are also more productive, more giving, more resilient and more healthy. Happy people make good friends, strong family & team members and are simply more likable. Being happy does not just benefit us, it benefits all those around us as well.
Aristotle described happiness as the chief good. He wrote "Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." There are many examples of people who have riches, position and/or power, but they are not happy. So, what can you do to increase your happiness... this chief good?
Here are a few simple things you can work on to increase your happiness and the happiness of those around you:
- Get sufficient sleep/rest - it's hard to be happy when you are tired or fatigued.
- Exercise regularly - activity increases our energy and our happiness. Regular exercise improves our health and effectiveness.
- Complete some incomplete cycles - list the important things you need to do, prioritize them and get started. Completing items and checking them off your list will give you new energy and increase your happiness.
- Sing, laugh, make jokes - let the child within you come out and play!
- Act energetic, act happy, smile - Author Gretchen Rubin notes,"...although we presume that we act because of the way we feel, in fact we often feel because of the way we act." Indeed, smiling makes you happier! To change your feelings, you need to change your actions. Try acting happier than you feel... and you will begin to feel happier.
- Plan to have more fun - identify what you most enjoy, what makes you most happy... and then set plans to enjoy more of those activities. Research shows that people who have fun regularly are much more likely to be happy.
- Show love to others - hug, smile, applaud, send positive messages, offer words of enthusiasm & encouragement, and say "I love you." Author Rubin writes that our actions are proofs of our love. Making others feel good makes us happier. Do good... feel good. Try it, you'll like it!
- Spend time with others who enjoy the same things you enjoy - common interests between people improves relationships and increases life satisfaction. Being a member of a group with common interests can increase your happiness significantly.
- Nurture your friendships - Epicurus wrote, "Of all the things that wisdom provides for living one's entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship." Strong relationships also lengthen your life, boost your immunity and reduce your risk of depression.
William Yeats wrote, "Happiness is neither virtue or pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing." Apply these simple action steps, track your actions & results, measure your success and keep growing!
Don't worry... be happy!
Dr. Rick McMichael
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