I’m just back from an amazing trip, and so grateful for the opportunities that present themselves in my life. It wasn’t something that was on my bucket list of places to go but I am still so happy that I went and that I got to know the people that I went with better than I did before.
The thing that happened right at the beginning of the trip kind of sent me to a place of sadness and reflection. Our group gathered to meet in Athens Greece to go on this epic cruise that would make stops on 3 continents. To be clear, this is a group of friends old and new and from a small city where we all know the same people, and a few of us, at one time, were all in a travel club together.
One of the ladies that was joining us for the cruise brought the news that a woman we all knew at one time or another had died quite suddenly. I had a past friendship with this woman that ended badly. It just turned out to be one of those things where you’d think you are someone’s friend only to find out that you are not. Different story.
This particular lady had it all. She had the big house, the fancy cars, trips, real estate and her own business. Plus, she was a mother of 3 grown kids. All the things that one would expect would bring joy and happiness to ones life but in this case did not. She was notoriously sad and so unhappy in her life. She drank daily and cried the blues to anyone that would listen.
I guess my point to all of this is that Happiness is an Inside Job! So many people think it’s all the stuff and having lots of money but I can tell you that for sure, that is not the case. We need to change the way we think and how we look after our bodies and the real things that matter to find that allusive happiness.
Some tips and really good habits to help find happiness within are things that I have learned and practice pretty regularly in the years since John passed.
Having a daily gratitude practice. This can be done so easily. Keeping a note book beside your bed and jotting down 3 things to be grateful for in your closing day. Handy to keep the same journal for recording dreams, which in my case doesn’t happen often. Having a bed time routine is good for a good night’s sleep, which is also crucial for good mental health and well being. Keeping the electronics out of the bedroom is something to try too. A healthy diet with a good balance of protein and green vegetables. Science has proven that a healthy gut has a direct correlation with a healthy brain and healthy thoughts. This could be a whole different blog around food. Keeping a good gut flora by taking a good probiotic and reducing fats and sugars, and not eating 3 hours before bed. The gut and the brain are a team and in keeping healthy guts we are better equipped to keep healthy thoughts. Really, there’s been so much research on the subject. Daily movement is super important and it doesn’t have to be a hard ass workout at the gym. In fact the benefits of a 20 minute walk on a tree lined path is super beneficial and good for us on a couple different levels. The fresh air, movement and appreciating nature. Reflecting on the fact that we are all part of this big amazing planet earth. Time alone, even if it’s just carving out 10 minutes to sit quietly, undisturbed. Maybe it means going for a drive and parking your car to just sit in peace and quiet for a few minutes a day before going back into the chaos that may be your life right now. Something else that’s super important and under practised is random acts of kindness. This can be anything from buying a stranger a coffee in the Tim Horton’s drive-thru to volunteering at the soup kitchen or anyplace where a little extra help is needed. There really is a magical feeling in doing something nice for someone, especially when there is nothing expected in return. It honestly can be as simple as giving a stranger a smile, and I challenge you to try it today, just because. These are all simple things to do, the challenge really lies in fitting it all into the day, every day. The trick is to start with just one thing. Making micro changes help and the truth is you won’t regret feeling better both physically and mentally before you know it.
It starts from the Inside Out
With Love!!
