Happiness isn’t something that depends on our surroundings…It’s something we make inside ourselves…. with God. The problem is that I am surprised at where my thoughts go to. Not toward happiness. I worry and stress with my thoughts and argue with people in my head. Here are some ways to help you pay attention to happiness:
- Learn to create positive affirmations – Talk to yourself in a positive nurturing way. Don’t demean or belittle yourself. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
- Count your joys and blessings – Focus on what you do have rather then what you don’t have. Appreciate and enjoy what you already have. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” – Isaiah 26:3
- Allow yourself to be playful and childlike – Learn to let go and play. “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4
- Focus on changing yourself instead of changing the world around you – Wake up with a resolve to stay happy during the day. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” – Romans 12:2
- Your body is God’s temple, honor it – Give yourself proper rest, nutrition and pleasure. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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