Is it possible to be happy with this life?

Is it possible to be happy with this life?

 

 

A touching and wonderful video ♥

Restoring our faith in humanity (continued)

We are all born receptive to love, kindness and hope.

As we grow up however, we encounter the less hopeful, more challenging aspects of human nature – including discovering that the things humans do at times can be hateful, calculating and unkind.

There are very few of us who would not have been touched by the recent events in America.

When events like these happen, it’s easy to develop a very negative and pessimistic view of the world, and its inhabitants.  Though this can turn us cynical or leave us feeling helpless, human beings are just as capable of the most incredible, amazing and wonderful kindness and love.

In these times it’s beneficial to focus on the positive – on the goodness that also surrounds us.

If you’re feeling a little jaded about where humanity is headed, here are some active ways to restore your faith

Focus on happiness

Unfortunately it’s human nature for us to talk about the things that we are finding hard or difficult – or people or events that are making us feel miserable.

So to change the dynamics around you – ask people about the happiest moments in their lives instead.  Ask them what they care about, what makes them happy and what motivates them.

As has often been quoted – “with our thoughts we create our world”.

So talk happy + think happy = be happy.

Look for the good news

The media usually only bring us the stories that will get the most attention – violent acts, wars, natural disasters etc.  This can distort our perception of what the world is really like.

There are also a lot of people doing good out there, and positive new stories to rejoice in.

For example:

26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year

You can also subscribe to news feeds that only focus on positive stories.  Eg:

The Daily Good

Huffpost Good News

Happy music

This one is my personal favourite – listening to upbeat and happy music.

The more positivity and happiness we expose ourselves to – even music – the better we feel.

My favourite songs this week (which are on almost continuous repeat in my house):

Jump in the Line – Harry Belafonte

Little Bitty Pretty One – Thurston Harris

Say Hey – Michael Franti

 I challenge you to listen to these songs without dancing along.

Help people less fortunate than you

It can help us to have a reality check sometimes – in the form of associating with people who are experiencing hardships worse than ours – especially those people who are facing great difficulties with resilience and positivity.

Get actively involved by volunteering your time and services to help these people.

Volunteer at a hospital, animal shelter, or local charity – and help improve lives.

It also gives us a great sense of perspective – that no matter how difficult things might seem for us, there are people facing much greater hardships with pluck and determination.

Human beings are amazing and resilient.

Build a positive network

Associate with people who are positive – their energy and happiness is contagious.

Spend time each day listening to inspiring audio talks.

Bookmark pages on the internet of people who inspire you through their actions and endeavours.

Share the love

Tell stories of human goodness to other people you meet, in order to inspire them to see the good in humanity too.

When you’ve found positive stories about humanity, share your experience with others. If you have your own blog or you update a social network stream with stories, share more stories that are positive and uplifting.

Lead by example

Encourage faith and trust in the people around you through your actions.

When you model the kind of change you wish to see, you spark ripples that continue on.  One act of kindness can have huge follow on effects – continuously improving the community of which you belong.

Make life a little better, a little happier, a little easier for everyone you meet.

Ultimately you can choose to be kind as a form of taking a stand against the injustices, violence and unkindness in this world.

There is power in kindness.  By being kind, you affirm and create the kind of world you want to be a part of.  You can choose to have faith in humanity.

Change the world – one heart at a time.

Mindfulbalance

What do we live for,

if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?

George Eliot

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Restoring our faith in humanity

Because sometimes we need a reminder that people are capable of wonderful things too:

26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year

Blessings ♥

Things that make me happy

Today’s post is dedicated to things lately that have made me happy, and that I am grateful for ♥

 

Nicole Cody’s Tibetan Singing Bowl – Healing Meditation

I adore Nicole’s guided meditations, and this one is something extra special.  I can still feel the beautiful humming energy of the singing bowl for a long time after finishing the meditation. It’s wonderful for shifting and clearing energy within your body and aura.

Pandora Radio

I only found Pandora Radio yesterday, and I LOVE it.  You can add the name of any particular song or artist that you like and it will create your own personalised radio station with similar songs.  This morning I am loving listening to music from Bob Marley, and The Big Chill.

Getting Unstuck – Pema Chodron Audiobook

A wonderful guide to stop repeating old and harmful patterns of thoughts and behaviour.  And I adore listening to Pema’s kind and compassionate and wise voice.

I would love to hear what things are making you all happy this week.

Blessings,

Meg

Developing courage and confidence

If we choose to approach all of life mindfully, we can learn to trust and relax into anything that comes our way — even times of suffering, or anxiety, or stress.

Any experience that arises is an opportunity to learn non-attachment, to practice gentleness and mindful awareness, and to cultivate a spirit of trust and loving kindness toward ourselves.

Staying with whatever is happening, no matter how unpleasant, is how we build confidence.

 

Don’t give up

Obstacles that we face can become our teachers.  In this way, life can teach us and wake us up.

And the key is to approach it this way.  Rather than seeing life as more and more of a burden.  Leading to us becoming more and more depressed and losing hope.  Leading to us becoming discouraged.

The simple answer is learning to stay.

To stay with what is.

With a good sense of humour.  

With loving kindness (towards yourself and others).

And by bringing in as much warmth and gentleness as possible.

The world can be a hard and unforgiving place.  We all go through struggles and challenges.  We don’t need to add extra harshness – we need to treat ourselves and each other which as much kindness and love and gentleness as possible.

And ultimately, we need to hang in there, and wait for the tide to change.

Follow your dreams – become a Ninja

I am hugely inspired by Izzy.

He quit his teaching job in America, and moved to Japan. To become a Ninja.

In this wonderful TEDx speech Izzy shares his hopes and dreams, and encourages us to pursue ours.

Visit Izzy’s blog for more.

Index

I’ve been making some changes to my blog, and have now created an index page for all my posts, to make them easier to find and read.

I would love if anyone has any other suggestions ♥

Blessings,

Meg

Everyday Wisdom #103

Whatever can be done, can be done more effectively when you add kindness.

Whatever words are spoken, will always be more compelling when expressed with kindness.

The kind deeds you exert in just one moment can have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime.

Your days will be brighter and your years fuller when you add kindness to your purpose.

Choose to be kind every day, and you’re truly choosing to live in a better world.

via www.marcandangel.com

Everyday Habits That Will Make You Happier

Happiness is a choice. The growing body of research is demonstrating that as we become happier, we become better people. As we become happier we become more compassionate, more creative, more energetic, more financially successful, more emotionally and physically healthy.

~ Naomi Simson, founder of “Red Balloon”

 

Though we may all have varied goals and paths, ultimately, we all have the same objective: happiness

Here are small changes that you can make to your daily routine that will immediately increase the amount of happiness in your life:

1. Expect the best
   Life usually lives up (or down) to your expectations.  Start each day with the expectation that something wonderful is going to happen – and chances are that it will!
2. Give something to everyone you meet
   Give a gift to each person that you come across today.  Give the gift of your smile, a kind word, or your full attention.  Not only will it make them feel happy, it will increase your happiness too!
3. Think the best of everyone
   We can never understand the “why” and “what” behind other people’s actions.  We can never understand fully what they are going through, or have been through.  By assuming the worst of others, we add unnecessary misery to life.  Assume that others have good intentions, and give them the opportunity to live up to those expectations!
   
4. Concentrate on the now
   One of the greatest barriers to happiness is worry.  Worry of what may happen in the future.  And the worry is usually based on things that are outside of your control.  Focus on the present moment, rather than what may (or may not!) happen in the future.  After all, here and now is when we live. We might live tomorrow as well. But who knows.
5. Eat well
   When we are busy it’s easy to skip meals, or get something quick (and unhealthy) on the go.  However our bodies – and minds – need regular nutritional food to function at our best.  This is something I am guilty of – not eating well, and then wondering why I feel so ordinary.  The simple (and amazing) truth is – the better we eat, the better we feel, and the better we function!
6. Give what you would like to receive
   This is a great practice that I find very beneficial.  If I am lonely, I try to provide companionship to others.  If I am sad, I try to make someone else happy.  Through generosity and giving of ourselves we find happiness.
7. Be thankful
   Each night before you go to sleep, write down at least one wonderful thing that happened through the day that you are grateful for.  No matter how big or small.  Or another idea – instead of reading my son a bedtime story, we sit and discuss all the things we were grateful for that day.  It’s a great way to connect.

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” ~Aristotle