"We've all heard the expression 'Find your Happy Place.' That may be a tough thing to do as a chronic chick. So this edition of PFAM asks 'Where's your Happy Place?'"
I could easily say my favorite place to go is the ocean. I love the beach and the sound of the water as the waves hit the shore. It is peaceful and relaxing. I could also say that I enjoy walking through a particular park in St. Louis. I love the neighborhood that surrounds it, and it reminds me of when I was younger, meeting my husband, and starting my life as a young adult. I could also say that going to the aquarium in Georgia & Kentucky calms my soul. I have mentioned before that I so loved to dance, so anywhere I could dance would certainly bring out that passion. Of course, I have yet to mention the one place where I truly find HAPPINESS.
The best part about this place is that anyone can go there, you don't need an invitation, you don't need a plane or a car, and you never have to leave your living room!!! That's right. My Happy Place is a state of mind! I can get there when I am having a relatively pain free day and have friends to share laughter with, or if I'm having a painful day and use humor and laughter to simply release endorphins and make me feel better. They say laughter is the best medicine. Well in this case, laughter, humor, a comedy, a joke, the newspaper's funny pages all can take me to My Happy Place.
I have learned that every single day it is important for me to take the time to think about the important people in my life and anything else that God has blessed me with in my life. No matter how badly I think I have it, there is always something I am blessed with. It is never helpful for me or anyone to focus on the negative, but sometimes we do get stuck in funks, especially when we suffer from chronic illness and pain. If everyday we take that time and focus on the positive, like me you just might find that it helps you get to your Happy Place much easier. It makes since. Doesn't it? When we concentrate on the positive, we are happier than those who dwell on the negative.
It might even help if you take it a step further. You could actually write a thank you letter to someone who has helped you out significantly. You don't even have to actually give that person the letter. Just putting those words down on paper or typing them out on your computer will amaze you. Expressing gratitude shoots the happiness quotient up a notch! Afterward, I'll bet you even stay in your Happy Place longer than if you didn't write the letter.
Finding the time to volunteer, donate my time, do simple acts of kindness, and just being generous basically adds up to doing good to others. I feel that is extremely important to getting to My Happy Place quicker. Ya know why? Well, it raises the happiness factor. It just does. You give to others; you are happier. Therefore, you reach your Happy Place much faster than if you didn't do good to others. Simple!
These are my steps to getting to My Happy Place since you can't get there by car, plane, train or boat. You have to train your brain. This is how I do it. I hope it helps you. I hope that you can enjoy your Happy Place as much as I enjoy mine. I hope to meet up with you sometime. Perhaps our Happy Places will cross paths.
- First, I decide, "Do I want to be happy right now?"
- If the answer is yes, then next, I tell myself that I have permission to be happy.
- Then I understand that I am in control of my own happiness.
- It is OK to feel my own feelings and to laugh.
- Focus on the positive.
- Show gratitude.
- Focus on my strengths.
- Interact meaningfully with others.
- Do good and be kind.
- Live in the now~find My Happy Place!
