I’m happy to share a Hunt for Happiness Week guest post from our friends at Delivering Happiness by Lindsay Brunner, Creativity Curator.
And just like yesterday’s post, if you make a comment you’ll be entered into a drawing for two VHP ~ Very Happy Person Delivering Happiness T-shirts.
“Today is life – the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” ~Dale Carnegie
Do you live with gusto? That’s a pretty bold statement to be able to make about yourself, to be sure. But think about it… what if you could wake up every morning and make a conscious decision to put a swing in your step, to live life like you love it, and make all your dreams come true? Does that sound like something out of a Disney movie? Yeah, it did to me too… but then I started thinking about it.
What if that swinging step, that love of life, those dreams that have always seemed so far off could be real? Even better, what if they could be something that happened in your life organically, rather than some silly social contrivance designed to garner attention? That’s the thing, we can live our lives with enthusiasm, and pretty simply too. Just by making a few small changes in your outlook, you can adjust your attitude and achieve that enthusiastic life:
1) Be proactive and seek change. This one is probably the hardest… our very natures are resistant to change of any kind. We all strive to maintain the status quo, often long after its tenability has subsided. Think of it this way: it all comes down to bettering yourself. You can’t be a better leader, writer, baker, or spelunker if you’re not constantly learning about that field. If all else fails, find a new hobby to challenge yourself, or volunteer to help out in your community. Whatever you do, do it with an end goal in mind, and let that fuel your happiness. You’ll enjoy the process of change, when it’s moving you in a positive direction, and you’ll find yourself naturally becoming enthusiastic about your journey.
2) Be creative and have passion for your creative works. So, that new hobby you just picked up? Make sure it’s something that can feed your creative side. Most of us need some kind of creative expression in our lives, so finding such an avocation and embracing it can be your single biggest enthusiasm generator. So go! Write poems, paint pictures, sit in a chair next to a trash can and call it modern art! Let your inner child out, and enjoy the enthusiasm that comes along with it.
3) Be proud, yet humble. At this point, you’ve picked up a new hobby, or you’re learning more about a field you were already interested in, or you’re volunteering in your community. I dare say you’re starting to reap the happiness benefits of your actions, and you’re overflowing with the need to share your enthusiasm with someone. That’s awesome! That’s exactly what we’re going for here, and that pride and sense of accomplishment? That’s fuel for the happiness fire. Remember, even in your proudest moments, the day your chair and trash can get accepted to their first gallery exhibition, you need to keep your humble hat on. You didn’t reach this goal in a vacuum. At the very least, you had friends and family rooting for you the whole way. More likely, you had teachers, coaches, or mentors helping you to reach your goal. Respect that, and temper your enthusiasm. Share it with your cheering squad, and anyone else who comes along, but don’t shove it down their throats.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.
Great ideas – I have a problem with change but have been trying very hard to get around it. Going to be 60 next year (BIG CHANGE)& have decided to embrace rather than RUN from it – not much choice…the alternative to turning 60 is not one I want to contemplate!!
Happiness is closely linked to GRATITUDE. Did you ever see a happy person that was ungrateful? Did you ever see an ungrateful person that was happy?
Best thing you can do to be happy and make others happy, is be grateful!
What can I do today to make my friend/relative/co-worker happy?
Hi Susan,
Show up with a warm smile and enjoy a delicious cup of tea or coffee with that special person.
Hi Susan! In my experience, the best way to make someone happy in your life, is to tell them how much it means to you that they are in your life! We all spend so much time with our friends/family/co-workers, but rarely do we stop and take the time to express to them how much we value their place in our lives!
I love the questions and ask them of myself throughout each day.
Every morning, I affirm that I AM in the flow of my happy life!
Great article. We could all use this advice to make our lives happier.
I very much agree with everything Ms. Brunner discusses and suggests. Although I feel her examples are somewhat limited, there are so many other ways to expand one’s life other than hobbies or volunteering. I think the “change” is the key. I’m guilty of eating the same breakfast day after day, week after week and yes, year after year. I need change and although that might seem minor, it would definitely fit the meaning and direction of the Carnegie quote.
I would like to add the word “spirit” to the whole premise of change. Something deep within (whatever it be) is the actual catalyst to achieve change.
I have just started blogging this year. I am completely new to the creative writing process having spent 9 years in college (undergrad & grad) and writing tons of essays, research papers, and commentary that was only as creative as the material researched and my interpretation. So, blogging is a new hobby of mine and so far, I love it. I have found that I have a lot to say and really enjoy putting it out in public form for the others to read
We live our core values every day, including Deliver More and Include Fun. (Lots more, but these two really resonate with me.) I think it’s hard NOT to be happy when you are delivering more to your customers, coworkers, families and community.
Hi Debi,
I agree with you wholeheartedly! Just giving your full attention to someone for even a short while leaves them feeling like you have delivered a gift.
Such awesome advice…I love the positive message…I’m always working on this everyday..thank you for caring.
Happiness is simply looking every person you meet right in the eye when you greet them, and to mean it when you say “Have a great day!”
Great advice! Too often we forget that the key to happiness is within and that we need to look at ourselves and question how we can make it happen. We cannot wait for others to make us happy.
Happiness is all about attitude and that´s how being happy turns into a way of living. So, when you wave your happiness flag as your life’s flag, the changes, the decisions, and everything you do, drives on the happiness road (even when it gets a bit ugly)…