How to Be Happier

How to Be Happier Without Making Any Big Life Changes

“The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now.” ~Robert G. Ingersoll

1. Be aware of your thoughts so your mind can’t control you.

Learning how to be aware of thoughts rather than letting your mind control you seems to be essential to experiencing lasting happiness. Meditating every day, even just for ten or fifteen minutes, makes it easier to be aware of your thoughts and to learn how to quiet your mind.
For me, being aware of my thoughts has made me more intentional about how I think about things. I now try to look at my life positively and search for solutions to issues rather than worrying about problems that might not even happen.
Being in the present moment also takes the power away from your mind. In the present moment there’s no past to regret and no future to worry about, so you are naturally happier. Though keeping your attention in the present is hard to sustain, it’s simple to try.
Give it a go by focusing what you can see around you right now. What sounds can you hear? What can you smell? What can your body feel? Don’t answer these questions in words, just move your attention to your different senses and acknowledge what they notice.
I’ve now made being aware of my thoughts a daily practice. Instead of reading the news on my phone, I dedicate my ninety-minute commute to mediation and being present.
As I walk to the train station I listen to the birds singing and hear the wind rustling in the trees. On the train I mediate for fifteen minutes before reading a book for the rest of the journey.
How could you incorporate meditation and being present into your daily routine?
*Recommended Reading: The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle

2. Fill your life with things you enjoy now.

This step is more straightforward. There’s an easy process you can follow to complete it. First, you need to write a list of all the times you’ve felt truly, deeply happy. What were you doing? Who were you with? Are there any common themes?
After you identify the common themes that brought you so much joy, fill as much of your day-to-day life with them as possible!
Could you take a walk in nature on your lunch break? Or could you listen to your favorite type of music while cooking dinner? Perhaps you could swap TV time for working on a creative project like crafting, drawing, or writing?
I realized that some of my happiest moments happened outdoors when I was surrounded by nature. So now I’m trying to spend most of my free time outside, inviting friends and family along too so I can spend time with them. I’ve noticed that I’m so much more relaxed and I really look forward to my weekend’s adventures!
Now it’s your turn! What changes can you make to fill your life with joy?
*Recommended Reading: Finding Your Own North Star, by Martha Beck
Making these little changes doesn’t mean that you can’t make a big change in your life. They will just help you to be happier in the process and put less pressure on the end result.
Enjoy the journey along the rainbow and it won’t matter so much how much gold is at the end

and just like that . . . .

Bailey Kae Whiting turns 22 years old.

It's hard to believe how quickly time is passing by ~

I remember having her like it was yesterday.

What an absolute beauty she is, inside & out.

She is strong and brave and driven and focused . . . 

she is kind and smart and thoughtful and patient.

I am so incredibly proud of the human she is ~

Blessed and thankful she is mine.

10/17/1993 

(one of my favorite days!)

Today . . . .

I am currently 30 pounds over MY happy-feel good about myself weight and I don't feel good about it ~ not one bit. It is something I am working on . . . . I am also focusing on the "good stuff" that I do feel good about and a few things that make me . . . ME.

I am a girl who can make you laugh. 

And a girl who can laugh at herself.

I am a girl who will help you see the good in yourself & light in the darkest of days.

 

I am a girl who loves sunshine ~ the beach and all things that sparkle.

I love candy ~ coffee and the 4th of July.

I try to be a good mom.

I am a daughter & sister and friend.

A bad liar, a truth teller ~ who sometimes lies to herself.

I love to bake.

I can fold a fitted sheet, change a tire and I can tell you how strong you really are.

I make a kick ass apple pie.

I love hanging out with my kids, family & friends.

I wear whatever I want . . . . truly ~

Bright colors, horizontal stripes, stilletos and a tattoo ~

I rock them with confidence, 

(most of the time).

I am (almost) always too loud and too happy for most people.

I wear my heart on my sleeve,

I am passionate ~ emotional and trusting to a fault.

I throw great parties, 

I make "to do" lists for everything . . . .

and yet sometimes leave things to the last minute.

But it works out anyways.

I think I'm the funniest girl I know,

I fall up stairs & sometimes down.

I believe in magic ~ love and miracles.

I give great hugs.

I talk & laugh (a lot) when I'm nervous.

I love roller coasters ~ pebble ice and Peeps.

I am still figuring things out.

A work in progress, every single day.

But I know this:

I am a hundred million things other than 30 pounds overweight.

You and I, my friend? We are hundred million things.  And what we see in the mirror is the least interesting of them all.

If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen ~ making these beauties

Do you ever eat a delicious holiday treat and wonder to yourself “why don’t I make this all year round?”  (I say that about pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving!)  You will love these and maybe they will become a holiday tradition for you!

Soft & Chewy Molasses Crinkles

1 c. sugar

¾ c. shortening

1 egg

¼ c. molasses

2 c. flour

1 ¾ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt

Make the Cinnamon Sugar by stirring together:

¾ c. sugar

1 – 2 teaspoons cinnamon

With an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and shortening.  Add egg and beat until light and fluffy.  Add the molasses and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.  Stir together. Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.

Chill the dough several hours or overnight.

After the dough has chilled, roll the chilled dough into 1” balls and then roll the balls in cinnamon sugar. Place the balls of dough onto an ungreased parchment lined baking sheet 2” apart (they will spread.)  Bake at 375° for  8 – 10 minutes.  Do not allow the cookies to brown or they will become hard!  Allow the cookies to remain on the baking sheet for 2 minutes after removing from the oven.  Then transfer cookies from the baking sheet with a metal spatula to a wire rack for cooling.

A year ago today . . . .

A year ago today I walked away from the most toxic ~ unhealthy and degrading relationship I've ever experienced. Although it was the the toughest time in my life ~ I am so thankful for the lessons it brought. Not only for me but for my incredible resilient kids and family.

Thankful.

The end but really just the beginning.