Happiness is a choice. Feeling successful is a choice. Happiness and success do not come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Happiness is an inside job.
A successful and happy person doesn’t hold grudges. A happy successful person believes it is better to forgive and move one then to let negative feelings crowd out the positive in life. Holding a grudge weights you down. It effects your well being. Why let the actions of an other have power over you?
A successful and happy person treats everyone they encounter with kindness. I’ve been on a kindness kick lately. I’ve learned that each time I make the effort to be kind I am happier. I read that when you perform and act of kindness your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirit. I have also noticed that choosing to be kind, treating people with love, dignity, and respect allows me to build better and stronger relationships with others.
A successful and happy person expresses gratitude for what they already have… and they share. I believe this saying is true: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” It is healing to count blessings. I know this is true because I learned this great lesson from my sister friend Jo. She is a true Polly! She makes the best of everything that comes at her. She inspires me.
A successful and happy person speaks well of others. They build up others. Being nice feels better then being rude. That temporary “high” you might feel from spreading a little bit of juicy gossip usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Now, that’s not happy. On the other hand, saying nice things about other people always leaves me feeling encouraged, positive, and well… happy!
A successful and happy person never makes up excuses. Benjamin Franklin said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Successful and happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their mistakes and failures in life. They take responsibility for themselves.
A successful and happy person lives in the now. They don’t dwell in the past. They focus on the present and love it! My friend Sherri is the perfect example of this principle! I have learned so much from her about living in the now!
Neither of these two friends of mine have huge collections of material possessions. They both live fairly humble, hard working lives. They are both two of the happiest people I know, despite what live brings them.
I want to grow to be just like them one day.
That is how you measure happiness!
Resigning as the General Manager of the Universe 