Essentials to Happiness

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~ Joseph Addison (English writer late 1672 – 1719)

I feel these three grand essentials define one’s purpose in life; and, when one has defined his or her purpose in this world, then the outward result will be joy and serenity. I believe many of us go through our days seeking our destiny, our purpose, our own personal meaning of life. Seeking something to do, love and to hope for is not a bad place, as it paves a path for action (and in itself it is something to do), but, there is that nagging inside where one is not completely fulfilled.

Once, you discover that something to love, to hope for and to do; you come alive with energy and it fuels you. If you are in a place of uncertainty, then you may be in a frame of mind to explore. Exploring the endless possibilities can be a very positive experience when you have a support system in place.

When you are ready to take the next step on this journey to your happiness, I would be honored to be a part of it. You can find me at Hearts That Care. Let me be your creative life coach and facilitator of happiness. It will be the best investment you have ever made.

Related articles

• Meaning of life (veerababum.wordpress.com)
• The meaning of Life (excellenceishabit.wordpress.com)
• Because it’s There (sarabsodhi.wordpress.com)
• What is the meaning of life? (verdeholistico.com)

Ten Things that Instantly Make Me Happy

Just thinking about joyful things instantly make me happy! ~ Dr. Angela Kowitz Orobko

I am certain there are more than ten things that instantly make me happy; but, these are the top ten things that make me instantly happy that I can think of at the moment! I encourage you to create your own list.

1. Seeing a butterfly flutter by.

2. The scent of home-baked breads, cookies or pastries, especially if there is a hint of cinnamon.

3. The warmth of the sun on a cold winter’s day.

4. A cool, gentle breeze off the ocean on a hot summer’s day.

5. Rainbows.

6. Waterfalls.

7. Seashells.

8. Sasha, my fur-baby, greeting me at the door after I have been out.

9. Sandcastles.

10. A full moon on a clear night.

These are in no particular order as each of these equally and instantly bring a smile to my face, joy to my soul, and tickle my heart! I would love to know what instantly makes you happy. Please share in the comments below.

Related articles

• Foster Monday: Sasha (washhumane.typepad.com)
• Lessons from Puppy Dogs (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)
• We Are All Someone Special (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)
• Wake Up Happy! (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)

Giving With Joy

Bill Clinton once stated, “…when we give what we can, and give it with joy, we don’t just renew the American tradition of giving, we also renew ourselves.”  I know this to be absolutely true as I continue with my Gift of Love campaign. I have been giving each work of art, the hand painted bags, to individuals with joy; and, in return, I felt renewed and uplifted. I have not been giving out these Gifts of Love for this feeling. My greatest desire is to be able to give to the world what I feel in my heart…love and kindness, which are things we all need in order to create positive changes. It is my desire model the behaviors for which I would love to see in the world. I feel so blessed and grateful to receive such positive feelings in return for each gift I have given.

Whether it is a work of art from your heart, or a donation, a gift for a special occasion, an uplifting remark, or simply a heartwarming smile, you will find when you give anything with joy, you will get a sense of warmth in your own heart. This renewal or spark can be quite addicting. I encourage you to try it.

Related articles

• Pass It On (akissofbliss.wordpress.com)
• Pocketfuls of Joy (aphroditesmusings.wordpress.com)

Harmony and Happiness

 

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~~ Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness truly begins with our thoughts and when these thoughts are aligned with what we say and do, badda-boom-badda-bing, happiness. How can you not be happy when all three things are in harmony. Reflect upon and examine those times when you have been the happiest. Were your thoughts, words and actions in harmony?

Here is a simple example, when I am working on a piece of artwork or writing, I am thinking to myself this is going to be wonderful…I say to myself, “this is my best work, yet,” as I am working on my project. I am engaged in creating and it evolves into a really wonderful piece, whether it is writing or art. The positive thinking got me to my wonderfully produced piece. The bliss that evolved was from the combination of the thoughts, oral expression and action in alignment. It seems like magic, doesn’t it? “Thoughts become things, make them good ones” (the Universe aka Mike Dooley).

Related articles

• Be Peace and Love~ (angelabrentharris.com)

Who Are You Trying to Please?

Most of you intellectually know that you cannot control the feelings of others. You simply cannot make someone happy if they have decided they are not. The only ones we need to try to please is ourselves and God. When we are in joy, guess what? Your joy will infect others! You will have more positive energy and it will show! Really! In delighting ourselves, we ultimately delight others.

However, when you spend all your energy trying to please others, that positive energy wanes. You will feel tired and unappreciated when your expectations of pleasing others is not met. Why put yourself through that. Case in point, you are expecting out-of-town family, so you go out of your way to clean your home from ceiling to floor, detailing every nook and cranny. Why? Are you doing this to make yourself happy or your guests?

Nine and a half out of ten, your out-of-town guests are there to visit you, not your spick-and-span house, right? Do what makes your happy and joy-FULL. Make  your guests feel comfortable, but don’t dampen your spirits and positive energy by burdening yourself with detailing your home. That will certainly ZAP the JOY out of you; and, it would be counterintuitive. By pleasing yourself, you will please others. Do everything in love and joy. Please yourself and God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)

Happiness, are you wearing it?

On the kickoff of Memorial Day weekend I found myself at our local warehouse store where you can buy things in bulk and get a hot dog meal for $1.50 (U.S. dollars). I took this opportunity to really watch people as they shopped, worked and express their emotions. Breathing room was a bit compromised as it was more crowded than usual. Shopping carts were filled with every item imaginable to make the first cookouts of the season successful. 

What was most interesting to me was how people were working and shopping given these circumstances. I found those shoppers who were more laid back and took their time had smiles in their eyes and across their faces. They were also the people who were more likely to make eye contact with you and they made it a point to say to others fellow shoppers, “hello”, “excuse me, please”, and “you go ahead.”

I was also intrigued how most of the staff of the warehouse store were so pleasant, polite and genuinely happy to be working, doing their duties and serving customers. To observe them enjoy their jobs put a smile in my heart. It made my shopping experience joyful and memorable.

On the flip-side, those individuals who were in a hurry, determined to get through one more chore and/or talking on their mobile phones wore different expressions. They were pensive, stressed, annoyed and a few even expressed irritation as they rolled their eyes, gave a dirty look or sighed in disbelief of not being able to move quickly through the store. I wonder how their day could have been different if they chose to wear happiness? I invite you to choose to wear your happiness this weekend. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Incidentally, if you wish to hear me speak on the topic of bullying, I will be a guest speaker on the Create-A-Way Radio show on Sunday, May 27 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is the link: 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/createaway/2012/05/27/create-a-way-today–overcoming-bullying–with-dr-angi 

I hope you can join me!

Related articles

• Memorial Day Weekend! (theprepcrew.wordpress.com)
• Freedom Friday: Memorial Day Weekend Edition (thatkelliegirl.com)

Simplicity

Joy often comes when I am able to simplify my life, which for me is letting go of some obligations and removing clutter from my calendar and my studio. It is so refreshing being in a state of simplicity. The quality of keeping things simple and uncomplicated liberates me and my creativity and makes me happy. I am free to think more clearly because simplicity allows me to focus on what is truly important, which are all those things that are in my heart such as interpersonal relationships, connections, kindness, love and joy. Do you see how joy and simplicity are connected? How can you simplify your life?

Related articles

• Simplicity. (eminayiden.wordpress.com)
• Happiness and Simplicity (ministryofhappiness.wordpress.com)
• On a mission called Simplicity… (harmeetanand.wordpress.com)
• Simplicity as truth (findingforrest.com)
• Happiness: The Beauty of Simplicity… (eof737.wordpress.com)

Fun!

Fun! It is delightful and playful.  We are laughing uncontrollably as we dance vivaciously and energetically to the rhythmic music of our soul. Our hearts are beating to the boom, boom, boom of the sound of our song. Fun is colorful! Fun is festive. Fun is whatever we make of it! Creating fun is fun. Sparkly, bubbly and fanciful fun can be. Especially when it is more than just me. Smile on my face and a grin from grace. Joy and delight with all our might! Fun under the moon and the sun. Fun can and will take place morning, noon and night. Life is too brief to be taken with grief. Give me a smile. Let it stay for a while. Lightheartedness is best when surrounded by mess. The contrast creates more glee because then you can really see the delight of fun, which is joyful and free. Lots of fun for you and me.

Fun can be as simple as picking out something to wear that excites your senses like a bright and colorful scarf, warm woolen socks or a fragrant cologne that tickles your nose. Fun can play a role in each meal that you eat like a fresh-baked bread or a large juicy pear. Fun can be taking a different route to where you need to go. Fun can be turning up the volume on your radio. Fun can be hearing a chirping bird or two. Fun can be in everything you do. Fun is what we make with every turn we take. We can choose fun! Fun can be dancing in the rain, playing in the snow or strolling in the sun. Fun is singing, writing and painting. Fun is playing, cooking and reading. Fun can be dynamic and interactive. Fun can be sitting back and simply relaxing.

Fun is for anyone and everyone under the stars, the moon and the sun. Fun is letting things flow with go; it can be fast or it can be slow. Fun, fun, fun is fun to say. It is a word that likes to play. Fun can be had at home, at school or at work. Fun can be done while shopping, running errands or even doing chores. Fun can be planned into any activity you wish, like raking the leaves, making a bed, or washing a dish. Oh, what fun it is to write when creating a passage with delight! Fun!