Why you should never stop dreaming...

I was having a conversation with a friend last week about happiness. What makes people thrive and feel fulfilled. We talked for an hour on the subject. This time of year many people start to reflect on the past year and make their resolutions for the new year. I'm a happy person. It's just who I am. I feel like it takes time to be miserable and I'm too busy for that. I also feel life has too much to offer and I have to much living to do to sweat the small stuff (and like someone once said "it's all small stuff").

Life can sucker punch you in the face sometimes. Things come out of nowhere. Accidents, deaths, last minute interruptions, break-ups, financial woes, the list can go on and on. At the end of the day none of those things DEFINE you. While I know some events in life are more serious than others and some things take a little longer, I also use this quote to express my thought.."this to shall pass." Life is constantly moving on. It doesn't stop just because you've had a bad moment, and bad day, a bad week.

Here are some of the ways I get and stay happy (sunshiny, if you will)

1. Always having something to look forward to. It can be as simple as coffee with a friend or as big as a vacation. Put something on your calendar at least every month that you are excited about. Eventually plan something every week, and then yes EVERYDAY.

2. I believe that the moment you stop dreaming you get stagnant. I ask a lot of people "what do you dream of being/doing". I am surprised when people say the obligatory "I don't know". If you don't know what you want out of YOUR OWN life than stop reading this blog and go find it. No one can make you happy if you don't even know what it is that makes you happy.

3. I believe that happiness is about attitude. 100%. You CHOOSE your emotions, your reactions, your words. 99% of the time make them positive. CHOOSE to be happy.

4. I believe that physical health and fitness is the gateway to mental health and fitness. If I am stressed, sad, or angry the first place you will find me is on an Elliptical or Treadmill. Not a class, just me, my music, and my body doing the same thing over and over. I exercise EVERYDAY. Seven days a week. I know that's hard for many of you, but really, is it? You just need 20 minutes a day.

5. Believe in something. This "something" can be a religion, it can be a project, work, a charity, just something that gives you meaning.

6. Take time for silence. Time for yourself. EVERYDAY. If that means you need to lock the bathroom door for ten minutes to tune it all out then do it! It's nice to "hear yourself think". After all, your not so bad!

In Health,
Tricia