Choosing Happiness Every Day
Published on 20 Feb 2008 at 2:50 pm.
9 Comments.
Filed under Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
My blogging friend Alex Shalman came up with a great focus for February. He invited bloggers to answer 5 questions about Happiness and post it to their blog with a link back to him. The invitation was to answer honestly and sincerely.
Talk about happiness? I’m in!
Here’s what I have to say:
The Questions
1. How do you define happiness?
I see happiness as a state of being that is felt internally. I can feeling happy because I’ve had an experience of receiving something that I want or desire. To me, real happiness is independent of anything needing to happen outside (externally) and more about what I allow myself to feel inside. I’ve had many experiences when I feel happy when absolutely nothing has happened. Like right now as I’m writing this post. I can choose to feel happy or not about anything.
2. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your happiness now, versus when you were a child?
I’d say 7-8. While I still get hooked into the stories and dramas I create when I’m struggling against my present moment when things aren’t going the way I expect or want (LOL). As I’ve become more aware, I am able to catch myself when I begin to spiral into negative thinking and let go much faster so my spirits lift higher. While I may not be able to rise to joy and happiness immediately, I’m well on my way!
3. What do you do on a daily basis that brings you happiness? (and how consistent is the feeling of happiness throughout your day).
I begin my day with spiritual practices to set the tone for my day. It might be a reading from a favorite book, listening to a CD, or reading a prayer of intention. I include some type of meditation every day. Every night, without fail, I write 1-2 pages on things I feel grateful for. Since I work from home, I’m surrounded by a comforting environment, two cats that are hysterical, and my coaching business is work I love. Plus, I have a circle of fabulous friends and colleagues who inspire and boost me up. When I am taking good care of my needs, my feelings of peace and happiness become more consistent during the day. I’m still mastering this one!
4. What things take away from your happiness? What can be done to lessen their impact or remove them from your life?
Boy, I had a momementary pause about disclosure. Ok….Money concerns, fears, negative self talk and limiting beliefs like self-worth can really trip me up at times. I’m blessed to have a toolbox of ways to lessen the affect and to transform the energy so that the impact is removed. I also have some very talented folks in my network who work with me when I’m too close to my own stuff. Typically, when I (people) bump up against obstacles that create pain, it’s a signal that something or someone needs to be forgiven. I see every experience as a growth and healing opportunity.
5. What do you plan on doing in the future that will bring you even more happiness?
The more I listen to and trust my heart and inner guidance, I know I will feel more happiness and joy. The more I am aligned with my life purpose and destiny, the happier and more peaceful I will be. So, my intention is to continue to awaken spiritually, being the best person I can be authentically, doing what I love and being in service to helping others to do the same.
Here’s my challenge to you:
When 51% of the energy in the world’s energy is focused with intention on any feeling, thought, or idea, it produces an unstoppable wave of energy creation that sweeps over the planet. Imagine creating a wave of happiness that spreads throughout the world.
How’s that for a vision!
Learn more about Alex Shalman’s Happiness Project
Spread the word!!!! Write your answers to these 5 questions and link back to Alex. Do it before the month ends!
Have a happy day! 
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Alex shalman on 20 Feb 2008 at 3:08 pm: 1
Hi Lorraine,
I’m really happy you participated in this project! All your readers are also welcome to participate on their blogs.
lorraine on 20 Feb 2008 at 3:21 pm: 2
Thanks Alex
It took me awhile to join in! I’m so glad you thought of inviting us to blog about Happiness.
Cheers,
Lorraine
Joseph Bernard on 20 Feb 2008 at 11:54 pm: 3
Lincoln said, “People are about as happy as they choose to be.”
Happiness is an inside game and has little to do with outside circumstances. I write this to remind myself that too often I think that when this outside circumstance is ok then I will be happy. I am happy by being present to this moment.
Joseph
http://www.ExploreLifeBlog.com
http://www.Peace-Together.com
lorraine on 21 Feb 2008 at 9:07 am: 4
Well said Joseph
My point exactly. We put so much emphasis on people and things to “make us happy” and we forget that we choose happiness in every moment.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts!
Warmly,
Lorraine
Gina Rafkind on 23 Feb 2008 at 10:16 am: 5
What great questions! I’ve been doing a lot of inner work lately and these questions are another reminder that we choose how we react to our outer world. I don’t have a blog yet, but I wish I did so I could post these questions too!
Thanks Lorraine.
Gina
lorraine on 23 Feb 2008 at 10:31 am: 6
I agree Gina,
Alex came up with some great questions to ask. I admit I stretched a bit to answer honestly. It was a great exercise.
Since you’re doing inner work, have you considered my new program, Having it All: Creating the Impossible that’s beginning on Monday? If not, please do check it out at: http://www.powerofmyway.com/havingitall.html. The program is really a manual for life.
Thanks for adding your thoughts!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Gina Rafkind on 23 Feb 2008 at 12:48 pm: 7
Hi Lorraine,
Yes, I did consider your program. I just took the ATP course with Anita that just finished up and I am also taking another telenar course that finishes up in 2 more weeks. It was a tough decision bc I wanted to take the Having It All program but I realized I need to implement what I have learned from these two courses I’m taking now or I will become a course junkie and not have the time to implement everything which is what I’ve done in the past. I will be sure to look for it in the future if you offer it again. It looks amazing!
I still have to listen to your conquer your fear course I purchased from you which I hope to do this coming week. Can’t wait to check it out!
Thank you Lorraine for all the great knowledge you share.
Gina
Eric Roth on 23 Feb 2008 at 2:32 pm: 8
Cultivate gratitude. Keep perspective - over a billion people lack clean water and two billion live on less than a dollar a day. Appreciate one’s health. Invest your time wisely.
lorraine on 23 Feb 2008 at 5:47 pm: 9
You bet Eric
Gratitude is so important to feeling happiness and appreciation for all we have!
Good for you Gina,
It’s important to know when you have enought information you need to integrate into your life. Anita’s ATP course is excellent and using my fear program to add to your toolbox is a great combination.
Keep listening to your inner wisdom. We’ll be offering the program again in the Fall. If it calls to you, we’d love to have you.
Blessings,
Lorraine