Organic Living Diva

Double awesome whammy! It’s the Spring Equinox and the International Day of Happiness! This is an altogether perfect time to usher in both gratitude for life and the season of growth, rebirth, love and joy! In our neck of the woods, days are getting longer and early spring bulbs of crocus and daffodils are bursting blooming color through the winter palette, with tulips soon to follow. The warm embrace of the sun is slowly reaching us so that we may enjoy outside activities without crazy amounts of layered clothing.

GRATITUDE AND HAPPINESS

Ultimately every day is a perfect time to reflect on what brings us joy and gratitude. However, in Spring we celebrate a global collective consciousness about happiness as we also celebrate the International Day of Happiness. Happiness is the one gift we alone can give to ourselves no other can. At our core, we have complete control over this amazing gift.  The more we are grateful for, the more happiness flows within us and out to others.

“Living in the clouds” or “you’re always seeing the glass half full” are some of the comments I hear about my persistently positive perspective. The lense in which we see the world shapes our reality. Learning how to be positive in the present moment before we become, do, or have something we desire, is key to actually reaching it and more.

I am a very positive person and I am utterly grateful for my life and all the incredible people who have inspired and influenced my life experiences. There it is; a gratitude of my own shared directly with you!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our attitudes and perspectives on how we react or respond to life is completely our responsibility. They are within our control, and impact our happiness. Sometimes it comes easy and sometimes we need external guidance. Our household has always been a haven of personal development guiding and redirecting any off course mental activity, which can happen easily with all the negativity bombarding us daily. Let food be thy medicine for the body, and books and education be thy food for the brain!

ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE HAPPINESS

Not feeling it, need to get back on track, or simply love growing your mind? Try some of these proven activities to create lasting positive change:

1. 3 Gratitudes – write them down daily.
2. Journaling – daily, just a quick reflection of what you enjoyed in the day.
3. Exercise – teaches your brain behavior matters.
4. Meditation – for focus and clarity.
5. Random Acts of Kindness – create ripples of change and don’t wait for a special day – every day you’re alive is a day you can be kind to someone else!

READ ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO

And don’t just take my word for it! Dive into some engaging literature with scientific research from the humorous and awesome Shawn Achor, American happiness researcher, author, and speaker known for his advocacy of positive psychology.

Check out The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life

And… Before Happiness, The 5 Hidden Keys to Achieving Success, Spreading Happiness, and Sustaining Positive Change

And Shawn’s most recent research…Big Potential: How Transforming the Pursuit of Success Raises Our Achievement, Happiness and Well-Being

After seeing Shawn Achor speak, I devoured his research and philosophy of positive psychology. His TED talk is hysterical, his books are well researched, and his work truly can help us bring more happiness into our lives… providing we do the work and apply some actions into our daily regimen until they become part of our better nature.

Perspective is everything. Be the Unicorn you wish to be! Be grateful! Happy Spring! Happy International Day of Happiness! Be the Joy you wish to see in the world!