What Makes You Happy

As I talk with men and women of all ages, it is apparent to me that many people are struggling with their emotions. They describe feelings of worry, fear, disappointment, and discouragement, and ask if there is a way to become happier. They want to feel a sense of contentment with life again. They want to feel hopeful and optimistic about the future. They want to experience joy and passion for what they are doing. Fortunately, research in the field of Positive Psychology has given us information and some very promising tools to significantly raise our happiness level.

There appear to be three factors that play the greatest role in determining how happy you are: Your circumstances (10%), your genetic inheritance 50%), and your daily activities (40%).It appears that your happiness level can be increased over time through the conscious choices you make regarding what you think and what you do in your daily activities.

Given the proper understandings, information, tools and strategies, and some encouragement along the way to make life choices that support happiness, you have everything it takes to be happy now, regardless of your circumstances. It seems to be that researchers are soon going to conclude that Abraham Lincoln may have been right on the money when he said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be."

With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy

The Gift of Grace

In our four year journey during my husband's illness, he and I may not have learned all the wisdom and eloquence of some who have made this journey, but we did learn some things that made our lives richer and more fulfilling as we traveled the road of change together.

I have lost him, but I am determined that I won't lost the gift of grace - - learning and honoring what really matters, and the softening of our hearts - - that came with change. Perhaps you will find the suggestions below helpful as you travel your own path of change and experience the many opportunities for magical transformation that such a journey can bring to you and those who love you:

1. Recognize that you are always in transition. That is what life is all about.
2. Accept that while you may no longer feel a sense of control over your circumstances, you always have control over how you respond to your circumstances.
3. Honor what was, but come to peace with life as it is.
4. Make the shift from blaming others to taking responsibility for creating a present different from your pat.
5. Live in the moment with appreciation because things you took for granted can suddenly be gone.
6. Understand that perhaps what happens "out there" isn't what life is all about. It is really what happens "in here" (your heart) that you find the grace to accept life on its own terms.
7. Find and nurture a new vision for the future.
8. Consider sharing the wisdom you gain along the way in your personal journey with others who may just be beginning theirs.

With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy