Tip 1:The Purpose of Life is to be Happy
"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured"
I feel that we are all entitled to bad days. It's okay to show upset emotions and to even complain once in awhile. It is alright to EXPRESS yourself! But when doing so, it's important to keep the perspective that life is supposed to be happy. In difficult times, I guarantee we could all still find happy things in our lives. Whether it be the sunny weather all the way to knowing there is a God who loves his children. By looking at the small details of our lives, we will see what really matters most and see all the happy things in our lives!
Tip 2: Happiness cannot be achieved if we are selfish and complaining
"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others…By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves."
Complaining can be therapeutic. And sometimes you need to get those emotions out so you don't explode! But... it's important to not dwell on the negative and to know how to move on with life. Having a glass half full type attitude can change your whole perspective on life! No one likes to be around someone who is negative, selfish, and complains all the time. The more we think of others and participate in service, the less we think of ourselves. That gives us less time to dwell on our problems. Think positive thoughts! : )
Tip 3: God is in charge when we are obeying his commandments
"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."
God is with us every step of the way. During the good times and the bad times. This reminds me of that poem about the foot steps in the sand. It is one of my favorites!!
Tip 4: Set realistic goals for yourself
"Aim high, but do not aim so high that you totally miss the target."
Don't set goals that are impossible to meet and that will make us feel like we have failed at life if we don't complete them. Remember that God typically uses positive motivation, while Satan tries to make us feel “not good enough” and discouraged.
I was an EFY counselor this past summer and we always taught the kids to make "SMART" goals.
S- Specific. When your goal is specific, it has a greater chance of being completed than a general goal. To set a specific goal you can ask six "W" questions. Who (who is involved), What (what do I want to accomplish), Where (Location), When (Time frame), Which (requirements and constraints), and why (specific reasons, purposes or benefits of accomplishing the goal).
M-Measurable. Measure your progress. This helps you stay on track and creates accountability.
A-Attainable. Don't set goals that is too hard for you to accomplish. But don't set goals that are too easy either. You want to challenge yourself, but in a way that will help you grow and not fail.
R-Realistic. Your goal needs to be something that you are willing and able to work at.
T-Timely. Set a time frame. When there is no time frame, procrastination is easier to develop. There is no sense of urgency. The mentality of "I'll get around to it eventually" sets in.
Tip 5: Laughter is the best medicine
"In all of living, have much fun and laughter."
Studies have found that laughter and exercise have similar effects on your body. A 2006 study showed that it took 10 min on a rowing machine for your heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minuet of heavy laughter. It also seems that laughter burns calories. 10 to 15 minutes of laughter about 50 calories.
Laughter is not only good for your body, but it is contributes to our attitude. Laughter is contagious and it creates a pleasant atmosphere towards the people around us. So laugh at yourself. And laugh at the curve balls that life throws at you.
Tip 6: Praying
"Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father. He is accessible to all who will seek Him."
Prayer is a powerful resource that we are able to use anytime. I know that I sometimes forget I have that tool available to me. God is willing to help us if we ask him. He wants to help us! If it is important to us, it is important to him! He cares about even the smallest of things. I have 2 examples of this.
I went to Japan earlier this year with my best friend, Nat. While I was there I got this ring. I am a very sentimental person, especially when it comes to jewelry. Ever since I got this ring, I haven't taken it off. It reminded me of Natalie (who was on a mission) and of Japan! I was at work at my spa, and I was cleaning and lost my ring! I looked and looked and looked for it and could not find it! I was SO upset. And I thought to myself "why am I so upset, it is just a ring!" But honestly, it meant a great deal to me. So I went into the bathroom, and prayed asking that Heavenly Father would help me know where to look. A few minuets later, I felt that I should look behind a chair in one of the rooms. It was there!! I know the Lord answered my prayer. There is no way that was a coincidence. He cared about my ring, even though it was something so silly. He cared because it was important to me, and I am important to him!
My second story is about EFY. I had a training week in Provo at the beginning of the summer. The last day of the week I went to the dance with my kiddos. One of my girls was having a hard time at the dance because none of the boys were asking her to dance. I saw her in the corner crying. There were so many people around that there wasn't much I could do. So I walked away from the dance and said a quick prayer asking that I would get a moment alone with her. Literally seconds later, she asked if I could take her to the bathroom. Girls ALWAYS go to the bathroom with their friends, especially teenage girls! This girl turned to her friend and asked if she wanted to come with her and her friend, after thinking for a moment, said she was going to stay at the dance. That was perfect because I would have a moment alone with her. As I walked her to the bathroom, I stopped and asked her if she was okay. She broke down and started talking to me! It gave me an opportunity to talk to her. It was amazing because I knew exactly what to say. It was like I wasn't the one speaking. Random scriptures were popping in my head! When we came back to the dance, I said one more little prayer asking that she would get asked to dance. The next 2 slow songs she got asked to dance!
I know God answers our prayers. Both of these experiences are things that are so simple. They were not extravagant experiences or huge things I prayed about. God cares about the small, simple things just as much as the life changing experiences in our lives.
Tip 7: Have a positive Attitude
"Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."
Complaining all the time isn't going to solve your problems. It is only going to keep you in a bad mood and impact those around you in a negative way. Our thoughts are very powerful. I believe that if we were to realize just how powerful our thoughts really were, we would think less negative thoughts. Our thoughts lead to our actions.
"A negative mind will never give you a positive life"
Tip 8: Happiness requires work
"The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served."
When we serve others, we forget ourselves. We forget our problems and trials. We become selfless. We become more like Christ. I think of all the stories of Christ and how almost every single one of them includes him working and helping those around him. He is always healing, ministering, teaching, forgiving, praying, ext.. He is always doing something that is going to help others. That is what we are supposed to be doing. By doing so, it will create a sense of happiness in our lives.
Tip 9: Study things that matter
"You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it’s your choice"
I feel like this goes hand in hand with having good priorities. By spending our whole lives watching TV or playing video games, we are missing out on educating ourselves on things that really matter. We have to remember that the education we learn here on earth, we get to take with us in the next life. It is important to keep an eternal perspective. Studying and becoming educated in the gospel and school work that is beneficial creates happiness.
Tip 10: Read More
"It is both relaxing and invigorating to occasionally set aside the worries of life, seek the company of a friendly book…from the reading of ‘good books’ there comes a richness of life that can be obtained in no other way."
My patriarchal blessing talking briefly about how important 'good books' are. This goes hand in hand with 'studying things that matter'. I think that the scripture fall greatly into this category. By studying the scriptures and becoming educated on gospel doctrine, we will become happier and gain a better relationship with our Father in Heaven.
The gospel in the only true way to happiness. One of my favorite quotes is "Satan's way is the easy way, but Gods way is the happy way". I believe that. Obeying the commandments and trusting in God isn't always easy. Sometimes our plan and his isn't the same. But he knows what will make us happy. But we can be happy by gaining knowledge of the gospel, having good priorities that help us keep an eternal perspective, keeping a positive attitude, working hard, helping others, forgetting ourselves, praying, laughing even during times of tribulation, setting goals, becoming selfless, and remembering that God wants us to be happy.
I'm thankful to have this knowledge and to know that God loves us and wants us to be happy. :)
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