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Don’t Worry Be Happy

Time are so tough and everyone seems so unhappy. The current economic crisis has caused hard times for everyone. How did our ancestors survive the depression and a couple of world wars? Well, I think it is all in your attitude. I have read many self help books on how to be a happier person. Throughout all the books there are a few common themes that have helped me really change my attitude and be happier even though my situation has not improved.

The first theme was introduced by Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book Simple Abundance and that is gratitude. She urges everyone to be grateful for what you do have. You be amazed how much better you feel when you think of all think of all the things you have and all the things you are lucky you don’t have. Appreciate your health, that you have a place to live, you don’t live in a war-torn country, you have enough to eat. Appreciate your car is working, your air conditioner is working, your heart is pumping and so on.The list could go on forever. She suggests making a list of five things you are grateful for every day.

The next theme I got from Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff by Dr. Richard Carlson. This theme is live in the present moment. I even made up a little abbreviation for myself “SIP” - stay in present. I tell myself to “sip” whenever I start thinking back to an unpleasant moment or worrying about the future.

The final theme is whatever is happening in your life just accept it. Sarah Ban Breathnach refers to it as accepting reality and Dr. Carlson speaks of it when he talks about letting low moods pass. If something bad is happening or you are feeling really low - don’t try to analyze it. Simply accept that it is happening and you will find that the situation will change eventually. Your low mood will lift eventually if you don’t try to fight it. I know it sounds weird but it actually does work.

At one point in our life, my husband who has a college degree and years of experience in the financial industry was working as a clerk in a grocery store. I was miserable about it but eventually I just accepted that that was what was happening to me. My kids were happier when my attitude was better and I was happier too. A few months later he got a better job.

Here is a list of ten more things you can do to help you cope with today’s tough times:

1. Compliment three people every day.

2. Live beneath your means.

3. Never give up on anybody, miracles happen.

4. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.

5. Forget the Joneses’.

6. Be kinder than you have to be.

7. Don’t forget people’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

8. Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years.

9. Let the first you say in the morning to another person is something that brightens their day.

10. Don’t waste an opportunity to tell someone that you love them.

For a good article on Relaxation see our post on Womanwork.net

hard times,the depression,economic crisis

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