7 Positive Ways to Enjoy a Happier Life Now - In the Midst of a Chaotic Writer's Life

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." ~Fr. Alfred D'Souza

What does true happiness mean to you?

Owning a multi-million dollar creative business? Losing 30 lbs.? Marrying the perfect man or woman? Finally eliminating that $50,000 debt? Or taking a month long vacation?

Aaaah... That would sure be the life wouldn't it? Truth is, life is the greatest gift ever given to you.

But hold up! Scratch that record, and let the music pause.

That same blissful life can throw curve balls that make you lose yo' freakin' mind! With the bills due. Your writing not paying off. The kids going wild. The doctor insisting you come in for your test results. He's forbidden to disclose them over the phone. And your partner failing to understand.

These days, is happiness a state of being which you can only dream of attaining? Keep the faith. There is a secret to living a happier life. And that secret, my friend, is...

YOU!

If you really want to feel happier than ever, prepare your mind right now to make it happen. I want you to break through those walls of resistance.

Open your mind...

Ball up your fist. (Don't laugh. I'm serious.)

Place your fist beside your head, and roll it backwards in circular motions...

Rewind your conscious back to the best days of your life...

And dream again... Remember the time when you felt happier than ever? Who were you with? What were you doing? Where were you? When were you doing it? Why did you do it?

Relax... And dream... Stop reading now.

Now don't you feel happier than ever? Hold on to that feeling. It's so inspiring to reminisce because you know what works for you. We all have our own individual roads to a happier life.

There are also some universal roads that work for most of us. Start applying them today. Choose to live a happier life.

"To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions." ~William James

Here we go...

1. Improve Your Self-Communication:
   
   Positive communication with yourself strengthens your inner resolve so trials cannot break you.
   
   They criticized the article you spent 5 hours writing and editing? You'll get over it.
   
   Discouraged because good clients are few and far in-between? No sweat.
   
   Your family is laughing behind your back because you haven't MADE IT yet? Stay strong.
   
   Start by celebrating your successes, no matter how small. Finally finished that goal? Pat yourself on the back. Exercised for the first time in months? You deserve a spa treatment. Continually remind yourself how wonderful, how creative, how special you really are. You have a purpose in this world.
   
   Drown out negative comments, from others and your own consciousness, with positive self-affirmations.
   
   Learn to accept compliments. When someone says, "I love your shoes!" You may think to announce, "Thanks. But the heel is cracking." But just say, "Thank you." It's good even to conversate positively... "Aren't they adorable? Can you believe I only paid $25 at Macy's?..."
   
   YOU are in control. Always listen within. Make sure your thoughts are in a happy place.
   
   Practicing whatever it takes to communicate positively with yourself is the most important step toward living a happier life.
   
   

   "Knowing your peace of mind is up to you, not the world, is the most powerful and secure state of mind you can achieve." ~Lee Jampolsky

2. Smile, Laugh, Sing, Be Merry:
   
   A smile makes you attractive. A smile says, "I'm confident." It makes you seem successful. It's contagious. Smiling with your eyes helps you appear warm and genuine to your clients and your audience.
   
   As you laugh and enjoy life, feel-good endorphins are released in your brain. They lower your blood pressure. Your immune system gets a boost. You feel less stressed.
   
   Sing. Singing is relaxing therapy. Music lifts your spirits. Forget about what others think of your voice. They don't pay your bills.
   
   Very important! If you want a happier life as a writer, stop listening to negative people. They can't ruin your parade unless you let them in.
   
   “A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, Overflows, and bubbles all around.” ~Carolyn Birmingham
   
   
3. Meditate:
   
   Meditation improves your mood, and grants a feeling of well-being. It helps you unwind, while getting those creative juices flowing.
   
   It's the left prefrontal lobe of your brain--an area just behind the forehead--which affects positive emotions. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin found greater left-brained activity in participants who meditated daily.
   
   Train your brain to feel genuine happiness by adding 15 to 30 minute sessions to your daily routine. It'll foster peace of mind, reduce depression, and lower anxiety. As you transcend mental reservations, you'll feel stronger, and control aggression.
   
   Antidepressants may alleviate negative emotions, but they can't make you feel happier. Meditation is an effective alternative.
   
   "I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment." ~Benjamin Disraeli
   
   
4. Eat Better and Exercise:
   
   Minor changes can have a major impact on your health. Just eat better, no dieting involved.
   
   Choose baked chicken over fried. Say "no" to greasy burgers, and order fish. Drop the fries, add a side salad. Eat fruit everyday. It satisfies your taste buds, and helps curb cravings for guilty pleasures, like cupcakes. Take a multivitamin daily.
   
   Get active.
   
   Fill your day with a combination of activities you have to do (like work), and those you enjoy doing (like writing, or sports). Everyday take steps towards the goals you're passionate about. People who lead active lifestyles are not only happier, they live longer.
   
   When you just can't erase those negative thoughts, it's a great time to go do something. Anything. Walk, exercise, write, watch tv--whatever clears your mind. If you think it's clinical depression, seek medical help.
   
   Feeling worn out? It's normal. Don't feel bad about getting enough rest to avoid burning out.
   
   It's not always easy to eat better and stay active. But these changes revitalize your mood, your mind, and your waistline. Aren't you worth it?
   
   "Take care of yourself. Good health is everyone's major source of wealth. Without it, happiness is almost impossible." ~Author Unknown
   
   
5. Love the Special Ones in your Life:
   
   Writing requires hours of personal time. And for most of us, although tedious, it is enjoyable.
   
   But know that life is a journey through time. And happiness is what we find when we make that journey together.
   
   So to avoid feeling lonely, remember to connect with people. Surround yourself with positive people. Work on building quality relationships.
   
   Ponder the pros and cons of every relationship. If it's hurting your emotional health, you may work on letting it go. Don't miss out on living a happier life trying to please everyone. Love yourself. Let them go.
   
   Play with your pet. It's peaceful to retreat from the crowd to enjoy unconditional love. People that have pets live happier, longer lives.
   
   Appreciate the little things. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings--the people, animals, landscape. Be open to living and feeling.
   
   "Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end." ~Author Unknown
   
   
6. Forgive:
   
   They hurt you beyond repair. You still carry anger around in your heart. You want revenge.
   
   Your anger is justified.
   
   But, friend, it's not hurting anyone else but YOU.
   
   Anger held on from the past affects everything you do. You stay awake at night thinking too hard. You have a difficult time concentrating while studying. You start forgetting stuff.
   
   End the cycle of blaming everyone else for how you feel. Take back control.
   
   Ask yourself, what can I do to change things? Then, let go of the pain. Press forward. Join the living again. It's incredibly uplifting.
   
   "When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free." ~Catherine Ponder
   
   
7. Start Actually Living the Life of Your Dreams:
   
   Make the most of everyday.
   
   You must take bold actions now to move your dreams off your "to do" list and into your life.
   
   No excuses!
   
   If you only have 2 hours a day to spare, wonderful! After work, follow your passions. What about the weekends? Trust me, it won't take long to feel happier when you're living the life you desire.
   
   Write down everything you want to accomplish. It doesn't matter if you lack the proper education, enough money, the perfect looks. Dream and write. Order your list from most to least important.
   
   Choose the #1 dream that'll have you feeling the most whole and satisfied.
   
   What steps can you take now to move you closer toward your goal?
   
   Do it without hesitation. Create a gameplan and really stick with it. Promise you'll scratch off at least one task a day. Be determined to succeed at all costs.
   
   Avoid allowing your life become stagnant with the same daily routine. Learn something new everyday. Make personal growth a lifelong endeavor.
   
   There's a strong link between learning and happiness. Your drive to work is the perfect alone time. Take advantage by listening to cd's, audiobooks, or podcasts. And look at the bright side of taking the bus. You can read, write, do whatever inspires you to action.
   
   Live the life of your dreams, and you'll be happier than just about anyone you know. Don't be surprised when they start asking, "What's your secret?"
   
   "Do what experts since the dawn of recorded history have told you you must do: pay the price by becoming the person you want to become. It's not nearly as difficult as living unsuccessfully." ~Earl Nightingale

...By doing things a certain way.

You now know 7 life-changing steps which can lead to a happier life now! Now, you're equiped to increase the happiness you experience along this journey toward the writer's life.

Remember, you only get out of life what you put into it. And with only one life to live, I encourage you to enjoy it every moment of every single day.

"Choose to be happy and make the most of everyday. Life won't wait while you whine excuses." ~Lavella Owens

Wishing You Peace and Prosperity,
Lavella

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This is an original work by Lavella Owens -- Creative and Marketing Consultant.

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