Week #39: Change Your Life with this One Habit
September 24, 2007
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Thanks
so much for responding to my survey question last week about how you
lift your spirits. Nearly 300 of you responded with some terrific
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This Week's Topic: Change Your Life with this One Habit
“… Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
- James 5:13 Dear Friend, I
don’t usually write about a similar topic two weeks in a row, but
that’s what I’m being led to do this week, so I trust this message is
tailor-made for you. :) I asked you last week to “get serious about
being happy.” In fact, I want you to make a habit of it. There will
always be things to complain about, bemoan or dread. But there is so
much more to be grateful for. I recall the deep pain and sadness I felt
when my mother emerged from emergency brain surgery due to an aneurysm,
and lost her ability to speak, see, walk, or swallow. In the midst of
such severe physical disabilities at 49 years old, she chose to focus
on thanking God that, through years of therapy, she would have the hope
of recovery. “I’m happy that I’m still here, and I get the chance to
get better,” she would often say through slurred speech. Now, that’s a
true happiness habit – an attitude that insists on finding something
for which to smile. Throughout most of life, we have so much that
could bring us joy. The question is, are you engaging in the things
that bring you happiness on an everyday basis? This week, I challenge
you to create what I call a “happiness habit.” In other words, identify
at least one thing that never fails to bring you joy – and commit to
incorporating it into your everyday life. Research has shown that
positive emotions strengthen your ability to handle life’s stressors
and become more open to others. This is about living in the moment, and
using the power within you to intentionally engage in activities that
lift your spirits, melt your stress, and make you smile. For
example, seeing a natural body of water brings me indescribable peace
and joy. The sound of water washing ashore is divine music to my ears.
The glistening of sunshine along the water’s surface is pure beauty to
me. So my new happiness habit is to make sure I spend a few moments,
even if they are brief, near the water every day. In college, I lived
near the water in both Florida and California, and took it for granted,
rarely going to the beach. But this time around, I’m not taking the joy
water brings me for granted. So, what happiness habit are you
willing to create this week? Choose one and try it out for the next
seven days. Don’t make it complicated or too time-consuming. Choose
something you know you’ll do – and that you’ll look forward to every
day. Perhaps it is an intentional moment with a loved one, a moment to
write, a bubble bath to slow you down. Here are a few of the ideas that
nearly 300 of you shared with me in response to last week’s survey
question, “How do you lift your spirits?”:
- Spend time in the sunshine.
- Turn on inspiring music – whether it’s gospel, classical, jazz or old school dance music that reminds you of being a kid.
- Go for a walk, do yoga, or some other type of exercise.
- Praise, worship, meditate and pray!
- Do something that fully engages you, like painting, gardening, hiking, singing or some other passion that is unique to you.
My challenge to you this week:
Develop your own happiness habit! Incorporate it into your everyday life, starting today. Journaling assignment:
Close
your eyes. Picture yourself smiling, laughing, or fully engaged in
something that makes your heart sing. What is it that you are doing in
that moment? What activity brings you joy and happiness? How could you
give that activity a place in your everyday life?
Until next time ... Warm wishes,
 P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to
www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page. Valorie
Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life,
Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, What's Really Holding You Back?, and her
latest, Why Not You?. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter
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