I met the ladies of Graham and Co on a blogger trip to Atlanta. The girls were so sweet and friendly. They have a blog with a perfect balance of uplifting encouraging posts and fashion inspiration. I love how Heather and Caroline have used their platform to showcase their faith and have encouraged other girls too as well. While I am busy prepping for the big day, they offered to share some tips on how to be happy.
I’ll save you some time… Happiness is homemade. It can’t be “found” so stop searching. I used to tell myself things like, “One day, I’ll be happy if only I…”
- Make the iTunes charts
- Find the man of my dreams
- Achieve financial stability
- Yada Yada Yada….
But those are all things I can’t control! Things you can’t control shouldn’t be the things that determine your happiness. It wasn’t until I learned how to practice gratitude & rely on God for an eternal & loving perspective, my happiness began to soar!
I’ll let you in on a BIG little secret… We have NO control of what happens to us in life. Only God has the power, we determine nothing.
… Except our perspective.
Step 1: Stop Desiring Happiness!
Think for a sec, if you’re wishing for happiness or something “better,” what does that say about the present moment? Slow down and enjoy right now. Truly taste the flavors in your food, hear your thoughts, watch the sunset or admire the breeze as it elegantly sways mighty trees. Embrace the present moment in all it’s imperfectly perfect glory.
Whatever your definition of perfect is, it’ll never be in your hands. Let me assure you, the search for perfect NEVER ends & NEVER gets achieved.
What DOES end? The present moment.
“I’m beginning to recognize that real happiness isn’t something large and looming on the horizon ahead, but something small, numerous and already here. The smile of someone you love. A decent breakfast. The warm sunset. Your little everyday joys all lined up in a row.” ~ Beau Taplin, Buried Light
Happiness & Joy come when we fully accept the present moment (no matter how bleak it seems). Accept all things without trying to change them but letting life happen as it will. It’s ok to have hard times. It’s ok to be human. It’s OK not to be ok!
Step 2: Be Thankful!
Rather than wanting maximum enjoyment possible, our goal should be having the ability to EMBRACE whatever the present moment brings. Something makes you feel sad? That’s okay! Don’t strive for perfection. Strive for being able to wholly accept whatever the now brings.
Good news, you can BECOME an optimist… Gratitude comes simply with practice!
Looking for things you are grateful for forces you to focus on the positive aspects. Can’t find anything? Not to worry, just the act of searching for something you’re thankful for that will strengthen your gratitude muscle.
Draw near to Him with a grateful heart, and His presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.
How to be Grateful?
Make a Love List! What am I grateful for? Answer that. Memorize the list. What went well today? Why did it go well? Why are you thankful for the people in your life? Make this kind of list weekly, then memorize it.
Catch Yourself Complaining – It’s a silent killer. Accomplishes nothing! Be sensitive to that negative voice in your head, and immediately change it to a more realistic tone views the universe as friendly & not “out to get you.” Do this until you stop complaining.
It’s not finding gratitude that matters most, it’s remembering to look in the first place.
You are the Queen of your perspective & happiness. Own it, babe.
Gratitude Journaling should be something that you LOOK FORWARD to! So here are a few journals that will make you excited to write in!
Read more from Graham and Co here.
Leave a Reply