“We tend to forget that happiness
doesn’t come as a result of getting something
we don’t have, but rather of recognizing
and appreciating what we do have.”
~ Frederick Koenig
11. Cultivate Gratitude
What we pay attention to, we invite more of into our lives. Just like in a beautiful garden, it is your choice to water the flowers or the weeds. As you focus on all the blessings, you attract more, as you focus on the lack, you attract more of that.
You may have noticed days where everything seems to go wrong. It feels like you got up on the wrong side of the bed. As you get more annoyed with things going wrong, they seem to perpetuate, because you have been shifting your energy and attention towards the negative. You may also have noticed days where everything goes smoothly. You feel good and magical synchronicities happen. You pay attention to the good and get more of it.
By bringing awareness to the blessings in our life, we begin to feel more content and fulfilled. As we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we pay attention to even small blessings. They are gifts in our life and make it more joyful. The more we practice gratitude, the more we realize the abundance and appreciate everything that we have.
12. Be present
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
~ Buddha
Ever so often, our thoughts take us back on memory lane to past events which often cause us sadness, or transport us into the future which may lead to worry or fear. Whatever emotions may be associated when thinking about the past or future, it takes us away from being fully alive in the here and now.
All we really have is the present moment and when we fully appreciate it, we make the most of our life. By cultivating mindfulness we can enjoy being in the now, drinking and tasting a cup of tea without distractions, talking and actively listening to a friend, etc.
By being fully present, you are in the flow of life, where synchronicity, intuition, and serenity reside.
13. Love
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
~ Robert A. Heinlein
To love and to be loved may be one of the most important qualities of being alive. Love showers us with fulfillment, happiness, content, harmony, belonging, trust, belief, and faith. We know that love can conquer all. Love gives life meaning. Love has an exponential effect – the more we give, the more we receive. Love is the inner happiness of knowing someone cares about you. It is the joy of embracing a loved one, of sharing a meal, of being there for each other, of hands clasping, dancing through life, lifting each other up, full of appreciation, gratitude, respect, and love.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
~ Marcel Proust
14. Smile
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Sometimes you may not feel like smiling. That is the time, to raise the corners of your mouth and set some happiness hormones (endorphins) in motion. Smile, no matter if it comes easy or requires a bit of effort. Share that smile with others. It may make their day. Your smile may act like a chain reaction, spreading smiles among people who you have never met (yet). We are all connected and a simple smile acknowledges the other, offering belief, support, and faith. It’s free and so powerful. Let’s share those beautiful smiles!
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
~ Mother Teresa
This concludes our 14 Ways to Find Inner Happiness & Fulfillment.
As always, I would love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts.
Drop me an email, leave a comment on my blog post webpage or on the Mendocino Healing Facebook page.
Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Fulfillment today and always!
Fondly,
Tanja
—–
Tanja Alexandra Kern
