We all want to find happiness in our lives. The great thing is that it really is not that far away, we just have to know where to look. Many of us think that we have to do big and marvelous actions to feel happy, and then when we do that and our joy is fleeting we feel discouraged. Happiness comes mostly through the little things that we do on a regular basis. I listened to a story from a man who took his family on a vacation to California. The family went to Disney Land, to the beach, as well as other touristy places during the week. On their way home he asked his oldest child what was his favorite part of the trip. This man thought his son would mention one of the big activities that they had done such as a specific ride at the park or a place where they had eaten dinner. However, to his surprise the boy replied that his favorite part was lying on the beach with his parents together looking at the starts and talking. He realized that real lasting happiness was found in the little acts not big ones.
Prove this for your self. Do a two day experiment. The first day make a list of all the things that need to be done, all the places that you need to go, and all the obstacles that will stand in your way that day. At the end of the day rate your happiness for that day a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being most happy and 1 being least happy.
The next day give yourself 5 extra minuets alone and unrushed. You may need to get up 5 minuets earlier, but 5 minuets unrushed and alone (no cell phone). This time instead of writing down what needs to be done during the day, write down 20 things that your are grateful for, and 5 positive attributes about each member of your family or about the people you will be associating with that day. At the end of the day once again rate your happiness on the 1 to 10 scale. Then compare the two days and reflect.
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