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9 Reasons to Start your New Year’s Resolution Right Now

December 16, 2014 by Power of Positivity

Have you begun to give thought to your New Year’s Resolution? If not, it is time.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology at the University of Scranton, these 5 resolutions are the most popular:

Lose Weight
Get Organized
Spend Less, Save More
Enjoy Life to the Fullest
Stay Fit and Healthy

If you have any goals such as these in mind to put into action when the clock strikes 12 on January 1^st, who’s to say you can’t start right now?

Many people wait until the new year to begin new projects or set new goals because a new calendar year implies starting over with a clean slate. At dinner on New Year’s Eve, friends and families gather all over the world and share their favorite moments from the year before, making a resolution for the next year and pledging to commit to them. Most people look at the new year as a chance at a whole new life, and it is – but why can’t your new life start now? It can, and there are plenty of reasons why starting your new year’s resolutions today is actually more beneficial in the long run.

9 Reasons to Start Your New Year’s Resolution Right Now:

1 – Every Day You Wake Up is a Chance to Start Over

Why wait until a certain date to transform your life? You can set goals and chase dreams every day when you get out of bed; you don’t need a calendar to tell you when you can make resolutions. Most people wait until the new year to make changes in their lives because it gives them an excuse to procrastinate and even give up their goals altogether. Also, when you set a future date to start something, you invalidate the present moment.

Right now is as good a time as any to start something new and exciting, and you are more than capable of transforming your life today!

2 – You Can Accomplish a Lot Between Now and the New Year

In a sense, if you postpone your goals to a later date, you will lose valuable time that you could spend to manifest your dreams. Think of how much you can get done between now and the new year. For example, imagine that you want to adopt a healthier lifestyle that includes more fruits and vegetables and a regular exercise routine. You could start feeling more vibrant and having more energy now instead of waiting until the new year, and you will feel accomplished knowing you beat everyone else to the punch and started your New Year’s resolutions early!

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” – Benjamin Franklin

3 – Time is Just an Illusion Anyway

Humans invented the idea of time as a way to measure events and order them from past to present. Even though it makes us more aware of deadlines and gives us a way to track important life events, the only real-time is the “Now.” Without getting too technical, the past, present, and future all exist simultaneously, converging and forming a continuous flow of energy. You can create whatever reality you want to see right at this moment, and that will set the stage for every subsequent moment you experience. While the idea of time can be comforting, you don’t need to set goals for a certain date in order to achieve them. You can simply have an action plan and pursue your goals in each moment without the added pressure of time.

4 – The “Right Time” is Any Time

A lot of people spend a large portion of their lives waiting for a sign to tell them it’s the right time to pursue a goal, or wait until they feel ready. But, why can’t right now be the right time? If you wait until tomorrow, you might still think you’re not ready to wake your dreams into reality. Here’s a secret: you are ready if you just believe it. Your mind creates your reality, so make sure your thoughts stay positive!

You can achieve anything you want at any time if you simply have faith in yourself and your abilities. You were born ready. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here on this planet right now. We all have a divine purpose, and we were put on this Earth to execute that purpose in only the way we know how.

5 – You Will Stay More Organized

When we put off goals or errands, we invite chaos and disorganization into our lives. For example, if you have five important projects that you want to finish by a certain date, but you put them off until the last minute, you will have to complete all of them in a shorter timeframe. This puts a lot of unnecessary stress on you as you scramble to get everything is done, which means your workspace will likely reflect your inner state of being. Then, important papers might get lost, you could accidentally delete files off your computer, or you might totally forget about a project altogether.

To prevent this from happening, just start your projects or goals ahead of time. Then, you will have more time to work on your goals and can keep your workspace and your brain more organized.

6 – You Can Eliminate Added Stress

When people make their new year’s resolution, they hold themselves to very high standards to accomplish their goals. Making a resolution has become a trademark of the holiday, and many feel that the New Year is incomplete without making declarations to change their lives in the upcoming year. However, when you announce your goals to your friends or family at a party or dinner, you might feel obligated to follow through with your plans to avoid embarrassment or shame in the future.

Simply put, people hype up their new year’s resolution and often feel very disappointed and stressed when they don’t follow through with them. By starting on them now, you will be more likely to commit to them long-term if they aren’t attached to traditions or expectations from others.

7 – There’s Less Pressure

When the new year rolls around and people start making the resolution to live life to the fullest, lose fifty pounds, get a new job, or travel the world, they put a lot of pressure on themselves. If you just commit to living better each day and don’t use a holiday as a starting point to transform your life and start anew, you can eliminate that added pressure. You can make goal-setting and living the life you want a daily habit rather than a highly overrated holiday activity.

8 – You’re Likely to Set More Realistic Goals

Since a lot of hype surrounds your New Year’s resolution, many people set grandiose goals that they usually never follow through with. Also, a lot of people set too many goals and don’t take into account the time they have to work on them. If you have more time to think about your plans and don’t just blurt out a resolution that sounds impressive, you will likely set more realistic goals for your lifestyle.

9 – There’s a Better Chance You’ll Stick to them Long-term

Since only 23 percent of people who set a New Year’s resolution actually follow through with them, according to a survey by FranklinCovey, you will have a higher chance of sticking to your guns if you set goals on your own terms. When you treat each day as a gift, a chance for a new beginning instead of waiting for that magical first day of the year, you will have more control of your life and realize that you create your future every single day.

51 Ancient Wisdoms that Will Change the Way You Think

December 16, 2014 by Power of Positivity

They say that time is the best teacher, which it may indeed be. However, considering some of the great words spoken long ago, we can benefit from heeding the ancient advice from some of history’s great minds.

So we’ve compiled a list of 51 of the greatest quotes on various topics – from action to work – these words will forever be a great source of knowledge and inspiration.

GREATEST INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES…EVER!

Enjoy this A to Z list of quotes of life’s important topics.

1 – Action

“Actions speak louder than words.” – Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865

The Great Emancipator also happened to think that it’s our own actions that define us.

2 – Adversity

“Every adversity carries with it the seed of equal or greater benefit.” – Napoleon Hill, 1883-1970

3 – Ambition

“First say to yourself what would you be; and then do what you need to do.” – Epictetus, Greek Philosopher, c. 55-135

The ancient Greeks had many wise sayings, this ancient quote on ambition being one of them.

4 – Anger

“If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb

5 – Beauty

“Beauty is only skin deep.” – Sir Thomas Overbury, 1581-1613

The originator of this quote is an English poet, which makes sense given the short but thoughtful quote on beauty.

6 – Change

“A rolling stone gathers no moss.” – John Heywood, 1947-1580

Yet another great English writer and poet delivering a message on change.

7 – Consequences

“A guilty conscience needs no accuser.” – English Proverb

8 – Courage

“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the conquest of it.” – William Danforth, 1870-1955

A great quote from another writer on mastering fear.

9 – Creativity

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

Yet, many still label the creative among us as “weird”. The smartest person in history certainly didn’t think so.

10 – Criticism

“The worst enemy you have is right in your head.” – Unknown

11 – Death

“Death never takes a wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.” – Jean de Lafontaine, 1621-1695

Lafontaine, a French poet, sums up death by being ready for it.

12 – Differences

“Different strokes for different folks.” – Clarence Darrow, 1857-1938

The lawyer and once-leading member of the ACLU recognized and appreciated differences.

13 – Experience

“Experience teaches slowly and at the cost of mistakes.” – James Anthony Froude, 1818-1894

Mistakes are part of the experience, according to this English historian.

14 – Family

“A father’s a treasure; a brother’s a comfort; a friend is both.” – Benjamin Franklin

15 – Foolishness

“Fools and scissors require good handling.” – Japanese Proverb

16 – Forgiveness

“Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.” – Henry Ellis, 1721-1805

This famous quote was brought to you by an ancient Irish explorer.

17 – Fortune

“It is possible to have too much of a good thing.” – Aesop, c. 620-560 B.C.

Another ancient Greek, another famous quote; this one on fortune.

18 – Friendship

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” – Unknown

19 – Generosity

“What you do to others will bear fruit in you.” – Sinhalese

The largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka has some words on giving generously.

20- Gossip

“Not everything you hear is good for talk.” – Japanese Proverb

Those Japanese are pretty smart, I hear…that’s good gossip.

21 – Gratitude

“Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.” – Spanish Proverb

22 – Habit

“Character is habit long continued.” – Greek Proverb

23 – Health

“Eat to live, not live to eat.” – Socrates, 469-399 B.C.

The infamous Greek philosopher had some words on indulgence.

24 – Honesty

“Honesty is the best policy.” – Aesop

25 – Hope

“The darkest hours are just before the dawn.” – English Proverb

26 – Humility

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi

This wouldn’t be a complete list without the great Indian leader’s words on humility.

27 – Identity

“If the shoe fits, wear it.” – Nicholas Breton, c. 1545-1626

Another English poet makes an appearance, taking credit for this adage on identity.

28 – Joy

“Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks.” – Chaucer, c. 1343-1400

Perhaps the greatest English poet in history shows us why with this terrific quote on joy.

29 – Justice

“The end doesn’t justify the means.” – Ovid, c. 43 B.C. – 18 AD

Ovid was a brilliant Roman poet who also gave us this notorious quote on justice.

30 – Knowledge

“Knowledge is power.” – Francis Bacon, 1561-1626

Truly an Englishman of many hats – scientist, orator, essayist, author, politician – Bacon also gave us this tremendously powerful quote.

31 – Leadership

“Even the largest army is nothing without a good general.” – Afghan saying

32 – Learning

“A man who asks is a fool for five minutes. A man who never asks is a fool for life.” – Chinese Proverb

33 – Love

“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” – Charles Dickens, 1812-1870

The infamous author of ‘The Christmas Carol’ also had a word or two to say about love.

34 – Nature

“Nature is the art of God.” – Latin saying

35 – Opportunity

“Opportunities come but do not linger.” – Nepalese saying

36 – Patience

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – French proverb

37 – Perseverance

“Slow and steady wins the race.” – Aesop

38 – Poverty

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” – Gandhi

Gandhi despised violence; this quote demonstrates that he despised poverty at the utmost.

39 – Prayer

“Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his brother.” – Kahlil Gibran, 1883-1931

Gibran, a Lebanese artist, poet and writer, delivered this wonderful quote on the importance of faith in the face of doubt.

40 – Pride

“The higher you climb, the heavier you fall.” – Vietnamese Proverb

41 – Revenge

“The old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.” – Martin Luther King Jr., 1929-1968

42 – Strength

“Control your emotions or they will control you.” – Chinese Proverb

43 – Success

“We learn little from victory, much from defeat.” – Japanese Proverb

44 – Temptation

“If passion drives, let reason hold the reigns.” – Benjamin Franklin

45 – Truth

“Be sure you are right, then go ahead.” – Davy Crockett, 1786-1836

The “King of the Wild Frontier” also had a reputation as an honest and straightforward fellow.

46 – Vanity

“The drum makes a great fuss because it is empty.” – Trinidadian Saying

47 – Virtue

“You are what you think about.” – Buddha

48 – War

“War is sweet to those who haven’t experienced it.” – Latin Saying

49 – Wealth

“Wealth is but dung; useful only when spread.” – Chinese Proverb

50 – Wisdom

“Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.” – William Wordsworth, 1770-1850

Wordsworth is an English poet who launched the Romantic Age in English literature…it’s easy to see why.

51 – Work

“Genius is ninety percent perspiration and ten percent inspiration.” – Thomas Edison, 1847-1931

Pretty powerful stuff coming from perhaps the greatest inventor in human history.

5 Ways to Clear Your Mind of “Can’t”

December 15, 2014 by Power of Positivity

All of us have goals, ambitions, and dreams. Some of us persevere quite well when attempting to reach our goals, while some of us can use some help. Mindset is the biggest difference between these two groups. The people that reach their goals have a mind set of “can,” while others often think “can’t”.

If you are currently experiencing difficulties in achieving what you want out of life, there is hope. You can clear your mind of those thoughts that are sabotaging your progress. Even if you are relatively successful and happy, enhancing the innate ability to motivate yourself and clearing mental roadblocks can bring you to a new level.

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right.” – Henry Ford, speaking on the power of the mind

Here are 5 ways to clear your mind of the “can’t” mentality.

1. Realize you’re holding yourself back

This can certainly be a difficult pill to swallow. Most of us are prideful and can shun accountability for ourselves at times. However, when you realize that only you have the control over your life, it is a tremendously powerful motivator.

Notice the first word: “realize”. It’s there because many of us aren’t even attuned to the fact that we are the major roadblock – not co-workers, bosses, or other external factors.

According to research conducted on rationalization (i.e. “making excuses”), the internalization of perceived failure affects self-esteem; which in turn negatively affects your thoughts and behavior. In layman’s terms – we are not good at letting go.

We must let go of our perceived failures in order to succeed in this lifetime. We can only let go of these failures by being present in each and every situation – whether at work, home, or somewhere else. Focusing on what needs to be done in the present without rehashing past failures is the answer. Be present.

2. Reverse your “cants” to “cans”

This may sound cliché, but we are the sum of our thoughts. It is important to affirm and declare your goals in order to motivate your thinking, particularly during the difficult times.

Affirmations are an incredibly powerful and effective way to do this. Essentially, affirmations are often-repeated, positive statements used to describe a desired situation until they get impressed into your subconscious mind.

Even athletes, such as Muhammad Ali, have used affirmations to enhance their performance. According to Ali, “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

If the greatest boxer in history achieved his success in no small part to affirmations, we should certainly take notice.

Here’s a quick “how-to” guide on how to use affirmations.

– Identify and write down negative self-talk and beliefs (or “cants)

– Create and write down positive affirmations (or “cans”); the opposite of the items on the first list

– Begin using the new affirmations. Post the written list in an area that you visit frequently to remind yourself.

– Watch things begin to happen.

3. Remind yourself of what you’ve overcome

It’s normal to want to be and achieve more. It’s healthy. It’s what keeps us going. That being said, we need to remind ourselves of our past successes from time to time. This is important because when we feel stuck, past accomplishments serve as a reminder of the potential inside of us to achieve success.

Your life wasn’t handed to you on a plate; you had to earn it. Give yourself some credit for overcoming obstacles as they’ve presented themselves. You’ve become a stronger person having gone through these trials. This accumulated strength makes it possible for you to move forward and continue your path in life.

Maybe you got a promotion in a past job, lost weight, graduated college or something else that made you feel inspired. Keep in mind how far you’ve come. Write a list of the things you’re proud of; then come back and read this list whenever you lack confidence to move forward in your life.

4. Accept and love yourself

Do you accept who you are as a person? What characteristics do you love about yourself?

These are two questions that you should be able to answer without too much thought. The truth is, there is nothing wrong with you. Whatever shortcomings you may feel can be overcome with time and effort, but they don’t mean that you are deficient as a person.

Self-acceptance is a necessary component to live a fulfilling life. You must let go of the thought patterns and behaviors that are interrupting your path towards growth. Often times, these are a matter of perception. We can choose to perceive ourselves as unworthy and handicapped, or we can focus on our strengths and capabilities.

Be aware of thoughts that pop into your head that can damage your self-image. Understand that these impulses do not truly reflect who you are a person…they are just thoughts. Let them go. If you feel your behavior needs to be changed, then change them; but don’t feel that you are unworthy to live a fulfilling life.

When you embrace and accept yourself, you allow self-love to manifest. Self-love is simply the act of living while remaining true to yourself. It’s an expression of your own acceptance, allowing you to support your progression through life. This is not applicable only to your finances and career; in fact, these are not even close to being most important. Your emotional, psychological and spiritual growth is where the self-love truly occurs.

5. Take action

Here is where many of us get caught up…actually doing it. This is because we have a tendency to think way too much…we wait until we feel like taking action. The big problem with this is that we’ll never feel motivated enough to accomplish the difficult, but necessary, tasks to achieve our goals.

The solution? Just take the first step. For example, you want to get into better shape (who doesn’t)? Getting into better shape requires exercise and eating right. Now, you don’t feel like going to the gym or changing your eating habits. This is too difficult, you think to yourself.

Don’t feel like going to the gym? Okay…just put on your workout clothes. Then, just walk out the front door. Now that you are out of the house, it would be counterproductive and silly to just walk back in and do nothing, so you end up at the gym.

Don’t want to change your eating habits? Okay…just make out a grocery list. You don’t have to buy anything, but you have a list of stuff that you could if you wanted. A day or so later, you head to the grocery store with the list of healthy food. Convenient, since now you don’t have to think about what to buy. Just put your mind to it.

See how this works? Just take the first step, and you’ll notice that once you are in motion your motivation and drive will happen naturally.

The Single Best Pain Reliever on the Planet

December 15, 2014 by Power of Positivity

Don’t reach for pain relievers in your medicine cabinet or pay for expensive treatments to alleviate pain. Instead, try this age-old trick known as the best medicine on Earth…

Laughter.

That’s right; you don’t have to resort to over-the-counter medications with dangerous side effects to experience pain relief. Indeed, you can simply laugh more and get the same results for free. The best thing about laughter is that it’s easily accessible everywhere. Of course, you can laugh at funny movies, your children, your friends, your family, and even yourself!

Experts believe that a hearty chuckle can release endorphins in the brain which can ease muscle tension, decrease pain, and even boost the immune system. In addition to those benefits, laughter also offers other benefits. Those advantages include reduced stress, improved blood flow and even a reduced risk for high blood pressure.

The proof

In 2009, two studies presented at the American College of Sports Medicine’s yearly meeting in Seattle concluded that laughter allows for the dilation of blood vessels. In turn, this effect increases blood flow and vascular health.

The first study performed by researchers involved a handful of healthy adults who watched either a comedy or documentary. During the films, the doctors checked their carotid arteries. Of course, those are the main arteries in the neck that transport blood to the brain and face.

People who watched the comedy showed higher “arterial compliance,” or the amount of blood that flows through the arteries. If blood flow is restricted, it can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, according to the American College of Sports Medicine news release.

In the second study, the researchers found that the group of adults who watched a comedy had further dilated blood vessels than the group who watched the documentary. Constricted blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure, according to the news release. Surprisingly, the documentary actually restricted the participant’s blood vessels by 18 percent.

Results

In both cases, the positive effects of laughter lasted for a full 24 hours, proving that laughter can contribute to health long after the initial laughing occurs.

Another study performed in 2009 by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore revealed that laughter, paired with a lively sense of humor, may even help ward off heart attacks. The study found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in many instances compared to people in the same age bracket without heart disease.

Michael Miller, M.D., director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, said that mental stress can impair the endothelium, or the protective barrier lining the blood vessels. He explained that this can lead to various inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries, which ultimately results in a heart attack.

In the study, researchers compared the reactions of 300 people. Half of the participants had either experienced a heart attack or undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The other half did not have heart problems. The researchers passed out two questionnaires, one which had a series of questions with multiple-choice answers to discover how much or how little people laughed in certain conditions, and the second one listed statements in a true/false format to measure anger and hostility.

Miller revealed a noteworthy finding from the study. In it, he reveals that “people with heart disease responded less humorously to everyday life situations.”

Generally, they laughed less, even in positive situations, and displayed higher levels of anger or hostility.

“The ability to laugh — either naturally or as learned behavior — may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer,” says Miller. “We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list.”

Even more good news about laughter

Possibly the most interesting fact about laughter is its ability to relieve pain and even increase the pain threshold of people. They may feel less pain after laughing because the body releases chemicals that act as a natural painkiller. In a study performed by researchers at the University of Oxford, they wanted to see how laughter would play a role in people’s pain tolerance.

The researchers first tested the pain thresholds of volunteers, who were split into two groups. The first group watched 15 minutes of comedy videos. On the other hand, the second group watched more “boring” programs, like golf tournaments. The study concluded that the participants who had recently experienced deep belly laughs were able to withstand up to 10 percent more pain than they could before viewing the videos. Interestingly, the other group tolerated less pain after watching 15 minutes of “boring” programs.

The type of laughter also played a role in the study: chuckles and giggles did not produce any physiological effect; only a long, hearty belly laugh did the trick.

Doctors agree

Professor Robin Dunbar of Oxford University, who directed the research, believes that uncontrollable laughter releases endorphins into the body which elicit mild euphoria and reduce pain.

“It’s the emptying of the lungs that causes [this effect],” he told BBC News.

“It’s exactly what happens when we say ‘I laughed until it hurt’. It seems to be extremely painful and it’s that pain that produces the endorphin effect.”

In addition to better heart health, decreased stress, higher pain tolerance, and better blood flow, studies have also shown that regular laughter can boost the immune system as well.

Patch Adams

Dr. Patch Adams, well-known for his promotion of laughter and humor in hospitals, has even started a free “silly” hospital in rural West Virginia. Remarkably, a poll of rural Midwestern cancer patients revealed that doctors utilized humor as one of the most frequently practiced CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies. Scientists have also begun to explore the benefits of laughter by conducting clinical trials that measure targeted changes in psychological and physical health after laughter occurs.

Further Findings

In one study, conducted at the Indiana State University Sycamore Nursing Center, 33 healthy adult women were separated into two groups. The treatment group watched a funny video, while the control group viewed a tourism video. All participants filled out surveys asking their stress and humor levels before and after watching the videos. In addition, the researchers drew blood before and after treatment to test for natural killer cell levels.

In comparison to the control group, the treatment group reported a significant decrease in stress after watching the videos. Their stress level appeared inversely correlated with the amount of “mirthful” laughter they experienced. Participants with high scores on the questionnaire also had significantly higher numbers of natural killer cells after treatment, and the treatment group showed higher levels of these natural killer cells than the control group as well.

The researchers concluded that laughter seems to reduce stress and improve activity of natural killer cells, which could even reverse cancer.

Final Thoughts on Laughter Being the Best Pain Reliever

Research on how laughter plays a role in our mental and physical health is ongoing. However, the studies in recent years prove that consistent laughter makes a significant difference in our heart health. Additionally, it enhances our immune system performance and overall mood. Laughter is also infectious. So by laughing, you can also spread these positive effects to all your friends and family as well. If you need a good laugh, go for it. Just put on your favorite comedy, watch kids play, or bring out your own inner child to play! The opportunities to laugh are endless. Moreover, the benefits you experience from laughter will probably keep you coming back for more in the future!

Share laughter in the discussion below by telling your favorite joke or share one on Facebook!

6 Key Reasons Happy People Stay Happy

December 14, 2014 by Power of Positivity

What makes happy people, well…happy? Consider the quote from our first First Lady

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” – Martha Washington, wife of George Washington

This quote by Martha Washington is incredibly powerful. Notice that she disregards her situation while mustering the inner resolve to be happy. Undoubtedly, Martha Washington had every reason to feel otherwise.

Martha’s husband, the first President of the United States, was on the battlefield risking his life for the first eight years of their marriage. When not on the battlefield, he was debating and negotiating the Constitution of the United States…no small task by any stretch of the imagination. It wasn’t until 18 years after Washington’s first married that they were finally able to live a normal life. Indeed, Mrs. Washington epitomizes happiness in the face of extreme difficulty.

While probably not as distressing as the Washington’s, your own unique journey through life is likely to have its own ups and downs. Even people that seem to have a naturally happy disposition will experience very difficult times when this natural trait is challenged.

The difference lies in how happy people overcome these difficult times, namely through their inherent ability to focus on the positives in their life.

Here are 6 key reasons why happy people are able to stay happy.

1. Happy people make a habit of focusing on the positives.

Instead of focusing on everything that could go wrong, happy people focus on what could go right. They don’t fret or stress nearly as much as others. Without question, happy people realize that while not everything is positive; they can at least learn from the negative.

A good example of this is the workplace. Most people, about 70% of the population, despise their jobs. The happy among us, while they may not truly embrace their work, are thankful that they at least have a job, and do the best they can to fulfill their responsibilities. Happy people are notorious for taking the opportunity to be a difference-maker in their jobs and become a positive influence to their coworkers.

2. Happy people turn problems into opportunities.

Happy people also manage to achieve success by taking advantage of opportunities that arise. They don’t just think about the problem. Instead, they think about what is to be gained from that problem. This is truly about being able to shift focus. What can you do that will enable you to accomplish something out of this “problem”?

At the very least, a difficult situation will enhance your inner strength. There are times when you cannot think of something tangible to be gained out of a situation. While this may be the case, you will gain inner strength, fresh knowledge, and a new outlook.

3. Happy people understand the importance of self-care.

Regardless of how much we may hear about the importance of taking care of ourselves, most people don’t do it enough or very well. Positive people not only realize the importance of self-care, but how this applies to them as individuals. There is no universal prescription on how to take care of yourself; in other words.

That being said, self-care usually involves something that you enjoy. Whether this is exercising, meditation, sleeping, writing, or something else, it must involve relaxation and enjoyment. Self-care can only work when you listen to your mind and body without experiencing resistance.

If you already know what you enjoy the most, do those things. If not, experiment and find at least one thing that makes you feel happy and recharged.

4. Happy people enjoy simple things.

Ah, yes…the simple things. These are pretty easy to forget when you live in a world of instant gratification, credit cards, digital downloads, and dollar menus.

But the simple things are still there for your enjoyment. The key is being present in whatever simple thing you happen to be doing. Drink your morning coffee or tea while taking in the aroma; read a book thinking only about the plot; listen to your favorite music without missing a beat; or talk to a family member or friend without multitasking.

As Charles Dickens once wrote, “He did each single thing as if he did nothing else.”

5. Happy people live in the present.

At first, being present is a skill to be attained. This is normal, as we have become accustomed to multi-tasking while being barraged with distraction after distraction. The good news is that we can practice present-mindedness while cultivating our own happiness and strength!

What does it mean to live in the present? It means that your focus and awareness in centered on the here and now. Literally, this can be everything that you are doing – from cooking breakfast, brushing your teeth, or making your bed to reading a book, creating a spreadsheet or writing a letter.

Being present is a sane, enjoyable way of living; not handling three tasks at a time while adding to your mental and physical stress. Don’t buy into the notion that you always have to have multiple balls in the air to be effective. In fact, we work more efficiently when our brains – which are hardwired to do only one thing at a time – are focused on whatever task we may be faced with.

6. Happy people are resilient.

Happy people are also strong by nature. Some of the happiest people in the world experience tremendous obstacles, yet still maintain that resilience that allows them to smile and face these obstacles head-on.

There are a few elements of cultivating and practicing such resilience. They keep company with other positive people, practice acceptance, devote themselves to self-care (#3!), and make a habit of disconnecting through meditation, prayer, reading or some other method.

Final Thoughts on Becoming One of Those Happy People

Here’s the takeaway: you are stronger than you think, and you can become stronger. Resilience is often built through the adversity that we deal with in life. Even if you may not feel happy now, look forward to tomorrow and what gifts life may have in store for you.

What happy habits keep you on the sunny side of life? Share in the discussion below or head over to Facebook to discuss!

21 Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think

December 14, 2014 by Power of Positivity

In life, people often look at our circumstances from a “glass half-empty” perspective, seeing signs of everything that isn’t there rather than what IS there. We judge ourselves and become our own worst enemies, expecting perfection and nothing less.

We compare our lives to others and decide that ours is somehow less appealing or gratifying. However, you are probably doing much better than you think, and here’s why.

21 Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think

1 – You have a place to lay your head at night.

If you have a roof over your head, you are doing better than much of the world already. Unfortunately, many people don’t have a home to call their own, or a home to go to at all. Consider yourself blessed if you have a shelter of some sort and a place to rest your head every night.

2 – You have a job.

This is one of the signs you might take for granted. While most people have jobs, there are still many people in the world who can’t find a way to bring in money. If you have a job, even if it doesn’t pay what you want at the moment, at least you have some money to support yourself and your family.

3 – You have water to drink and food to eat.

If you have access to drinkable water and a grocery store, you are very well off. Water and food sustain our lives, so make sure to practice gratitude the next time to sit down for a meal or drink a cold glass of water.

4 – You are healthy.

Even if you have a cold or flu, you probably still recover fairly quickly. If you don’t have a life-threatening illness and have a reasonably strong immune system, you’re doing pretty good.

5 – You have the freedom to do what you want in life.

If you wanted to leave the country today, you could. You would just need a passport and a plane ticket, but that’s it. Of course, you have the choice to do what you want with your life. However, some countries in the world don’t give their citizens this privilege. You can literally follow whatever path your heart desires.

6 – You can see.

If you’re reading this article, you’re pretty blessed. You can wake up each morning to a beautiful sunrise and watch the animals outside your window wake up with you. This is one of my favorite signs of abundance!

7 – You’re alive.

This one’s pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re a breathing being on this planet, you get to experience this life in all its glory, and that’s definitely something to rejoice.

8 – You have a family.

Whether things go wrong or right in your life, the family will always be there for you.

9 -You have at least one good friend.

If you have even one person to talk to and share good times with, you’re lucky. Good friends can get you through hard times and make the good times even better.

10 – You have some form of transportation.

Even if you don’t have a car, you probably know someone who can bring you where you need to go, or you have access to a bus or taxi. Most people take this for granted, but not everybody has reliable transportation in the world. If you do, remind yourself how lucky you are next time you drive somewhere or get on the bus.

11 – You know how to read and write.

Reading often takes us to new lands and expands our imaginations; reading is a fun way to get away without even leaving your room. Also, writing helps many people get their goals organized or let out bottled up emotions, which can greatly help your well-being. You can drinkable water

12 -You have clothes to wear.

I know I have too many clothes to choose from, and I often take that for granted. If you have at least some jeans, a few shirts, and some pajamas, you’re doing pretty good.

13 – You know what you’re passionate about.

A lot of people struggle to find their life purpose or ultimate dreams. If you know what yours is already, you are among only a handful of people who do.

14 – You have enough money to support your basic needs. I

f you have enough money to afford food, water, clothing, and a home, you have all the wealth you could ever need.

15 – You feel relatively safe and protected.

If you live in a country that protects your right to safety, you’re doing better than you think.

16 – You have a pet or know someone who does.

Pets can be therapeutic and great companions for humans. If you have a pet to come home to or have a friend or family member with a pet, you are blessed to have the company of a furry friend in your life!

17 – You have a phone.

Today, phones play a huge part in people’s lives. If you have one, you can likely surf the web, stay connected with friends, check emails, and the list goes on. While phones can be distracting and there’s a lot of negativity surrounding them, they also allow you to get help in case of an emergency, and give you directions when you’re driving. I’d say they are a pretty relevant invention.

18 – You can listen to music.

Music heals the mind, body, and soul and gives us a way to bond with one another. It can also help us through tough times in life – music is everywhere if you just listen J

19 – You have traveled places.

A lot of people actually never leave their country or even their city, so if you have traveled, you have seen more of the world than most people.

20 – You can move your body.

If you can get up, walk around, and exercise, you’re doing pretty well in life.

21 – You have a park or nature trail nearby.

Most people have access to a park or nature trail near their home. Nature is healing in many ways and can give you a “reset” if you’re feeling stressed. Make sure to thank the Earth next time you feel the sun on your face or wander into the forest for a while!

Now that you’ve read this list, you’ll surely remember that even if you’re feeling the lack, you’ll see the signs of mass abundance all around you every day.

What other signs do you see that help remind you that you’re doing better than you think? Share in the discussion below or join us on Facebook!

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