As, I was trying to decide what to do. I told a friend, I wanted to do CLEAN as my theme. I'd eat clean, clean my house of clutter, clean up my body with working out, clean up my thinking (stop reading things that don't really strengthen me, etc.) and clean up my life. Ha! I had to do 5 things - since there are 5 letters in CLEAN. Don't ask me why. I play games like that. It helps me. Ha, Ha. So, this is a great idea. But, I just didn't get the vibe this was what I really wanted to do.
Last year, I made a deal with a friend that I wouldn't shop for clothing. Ummm. I knew the theme Discipline didn't work. I did last about 4 months. And then I didn't have discipline anymore and shopped like a shop-a-holic.
I was talking with my friend about my clean goals, I was telling her I have not done well at all. I've tried to be clean for a week and half. Of course, stupid time to do that. Goodies, milk chocolate fudge, and cheesecake factory . . . what's a girl with no discipline to do. Actually, I starved myself all day to go to the cheesecake factory, we didn't get to go, it was a 3 hour wait. So, we went to chick-fa-la. Oh gosh, fried chicken, fried french fries and a chocolate shake about killed me. By time I had a few bites my tummy and body were saying please just give us a vegetable. PLEASE! So, clean eating was a struggle too. No discipline. :(
I need a goal that I can succeed at. A goal I can accomplish and feel happy! That's it, I need to set my goal to be HAPPY! I am going to live my life, as I am the Happiest person on earth! Because you know what, I AM!!!!
So, what is it that I know about being happy?????
I read a book by Dan Baker called what Happy People Know. (Fabulous, life altering book BTW).
In the book it highlights some pretty fabulous stuff. Here is some of the things from my Cliff Notes:
WHAT HAPPY PEOPLE KNOW . . . & My 39 Goals of HAPPINESS!
6 HAPPINESS TOOLS
1. Appreciation – purest, strongest form of
liove. Asks for nothing. But gives everything!
I will be grateful each day!
I will keep a gratitude journal.
I will let others know I am grateful for them, for their service, for their love.
2. Choice – Father of freedom and voice of
love.
I will make choices that keep me free!
I will choose to read only uplifting things that bless me to be HAPPY!
I will choose to serve my Heavenly Father.
I will choose to keep my house in order.
I will choose to be HAPPY!
I will choose to be the best wife and mother ever!
3. Personal power – my life belongs to me and
me alone. Take responsibility to do
something about it. Keeps you from being
a victim. I can handle whatever life
dishes out. I don’t need to be popular,
don’t need to be right. I’m secure.
I will know that my life belongs to me!
I will take responsibility to do great things to make my life HAPPY!
I will not ever be a victim.
I will handle whatever life dishes out.
I will be secure with who I am.
4. Leading with my Strengths. Take path of intellect and spirit. Don’t try to fix weaknesses --- lead with
strengths. Focus on what your good at
and improve those and the weaknesses will improve too.
I will look at all I do and find the strength I provided.
I will lead with the things I am strongest at.
I will focus on what I do good and improve that.
5. The power of language and stories – we
don’t describe the world we see – we see the world we describe.
I will look at my world and describe it.
I will see the best world I could possibly live in.
I will create new opportunities for my life.
6. Multidimensional living – balance wit
relationships, health and purpose. We
need to have a purpose.
I will be better at balancing my family and work.
I will work harder than ever to be stronger than ever.
I will love my hard work and it will pay off.
I will act only for purpose and not react.
I will define my purpose.
5 Happiness Traps
1. Trying to buy happiness
I will not shop to console my soul.
I will shop only for needs.
I will do activities that can feed my hungry self instead of indulging through extreme behaviors.
2. Trying to find happiness through pleasure
I will find things I love to do and do them.
I will incorporate art into my life again.
I will have the pleasure of being a kind and loving mother who is firm and dedicated.
3. Trying to be happy by reliving the past
I will let the past go.
I will forgive myself.
I will forgive others who have hurt me.
4. Trying to be happy by overcoming
weaknesses
I will always look at my strengths and list them.
I will make an abundant life (vision) board to remind me of my incredible 39th year.
Trying to force happiness
I will have fun.
I will learn to have the Lord in my life.
& I will enjoy this process.
