Three Ways You May Be Blocking Your Happiness

yosemite_fallsNo one would knowingly block her happiness, and yet we do so frequently because we don’t realize the connection between some of our actions and our happiness.

There are three ways you may be blocking your happiness.

1. Looking outside of yourself for solutions

When you get a headache you probably seek out an aspirin or other pain reliever. Most of us do, and we are even advised to do so by doctors.

But solutions to our problems must be solved from within where they began. When we are experiencing problems they are most likely connected to our beliefs, which lead us to behave a certain way.

By taking responsibility for our problems we are able to solve them. When we blame others or outside circumstances for our problems, we are giving the power to fix them over to someone else.

2. Keeping too busy

Do you know someone who works two or three jobs, takes classes, has an active social life and attends church, all while chauffering their children to school and the children’s activities as well?

Keeping so busy that you allow no time for being quiet, reflecting, or meditating is guaranteed to lead you to overwhelm, a breakdown or definitely negligence of issues you need to confront.

Busyness can just cover up the fact that you may not be paying attention to deeper needs which can lead to stress.

Having an active life contributes to your happiness as long as you balance your activities with moments of quiet, allowing a chance for you to reflect and listen to your intuition.

3. Ignoring warning signs

When we took our children to Yosemite Park many years ago, we enjoyed the many wonders of nature on walks, boat rides and horseback rides. At one of the smaller waterfalls visitors could get close to enjoy the cool breeze and sprinkles made by the water crashing against the rocks. But there was a prominent sign warning visitors not to climb on the rocks under the fall.

You can guess it. Kids and young adults were gleefully splashing in the very area we were warned about, without any regard for the sign.

Fortunately, no tragedies occurred while we were there, but it reminded me of how often we ignore warning signs in life and are surprised at the unwanted outcomes.

Happiness grows from within and is fostered by taking responsibility for your beliefs and actions.

Want to Be Happier? Take Action About Whatever You Care About

What do you do when something in your life, family, city or job displeases you?

Most of us grumble, complain, grouse. We do everything but take action to resolve the problem or make a positive change in the situation.

When Mrs. Harris fell on a misaligned sidewalk in Oswego, NY she was told by the city that they were not responsible unless they had received notice of the sidewalk problem in writing. So watch the video below to check out what Mrs. Harris did. Then think about something that is bugging you and go out and do something about it.

Practical Success Tips: Five Erroneous Beliefs That Are Blocking You From Achieving Your Goals

p_043A key part of achieving your goals is planning. Maybe your goal requires some extensive planning, but there is a point at which planning becomes procrastination. If you examine why you are procrastinating, you may discover that you are afraid of the unknown. We all are. So don’t let that stop you.

Or you may be procrastinating because you don’t really want this goal anymore. And that’s a good thing to discover.

Now you can set a new goal, but don’t spend time in the planning stage for too long. There are five erroneous beliefs that may be blocking you from achieving your goals.

1. You need lots more knowledge.

Having knowledge and skills before starting a project are admirable, but you cannot wait until you know all there is to know about the subject before you begin. Much that we need to know is gained along the way as we work toward a goal.

2. You need lots more money.

There are successful entrepreneurs who can attest to the fact that they began toward their goals with very little money. Some raised startup money by taking on extra jobs, saving, reducing spending and partnering with like-minded colleagues.

Start with whatever money you have to begin stepping toward your goal. As you enjoy small successes you will also increase your capital and know-how.

3. You must wait for just the right circumstances

There are no perfect circumstances.

4. The timing must be perfect.

There is no perfect timing.

5. You must wait until you feel completely confident.

Delaying to get started toward a goal actually erodes your confidence. It’s working toward and achieving your goal that builds confidence, not the other way around.

If deep in your gut you want this goal so badly that you can taste it, procrastinate no longer. Jump in. Success and achievement await you.

Celebrate Color Your Life Happy Day on August 9th

momMany of us begin the year making resolutions, but within a few weeks our promises to ourselves have been forgotten.

A Wall Street Journal article shared plans some people made to help them stick to their resolutions. Some kept their goals small and achievable. Others asked friends to help them stay on track by holding them accountable. Others found success when they changed their environment to support their new behavior.

Here we are at the start of the second half of the year. How did you do with your resolutions this year?

Regardless of how you fared in this annual practice, here’s an opportunity to start anew.

On August 9th join me in celebrating the first “Color Your Life Happy Day”, a day to participate in something you enjoy, some activity that will make you happy and others too. Then make a decision to make it a habit to continue finding joy, pleasure, a way to help others for the rest of the year.

Happiness is not a destination, but the things we do along the way as we live our lives. At the end of their lives, many wish they had slowed down, worked less and spent more time enjoying family, friends and fun activities. Don’t let this be you. Regrets are a waste. Do the things that bring you joy and happiness everyday.

This special celebration was inspired by the memory of my mother, Mildred S. Morris, who would have turned 100 years old on August 9, 2010 (she passed at age 92 in 2002.) She spent her life making people happy with her music. She played piano and organ from childhood through her mid 80’s for many churches, organizations and events. Everyone who ever heard her play was touched by her lively and fervent style.

I invite you to join me in celebrating Color Your Life Happy Day on August 9th. Then between August 10th-15th send me a photo or video of how you celebrated to my email at [email protected]

You may choose to enjoy a simple pleasure such as taking time off to read a neglected book. You may join the courageous who use this day to get control of the clutter that has been making them very unhappy.

I’m thinking of creating a new vegetable garden or maybe I’ll do some long-neglected scrapbooking.

So get busy thinking of how you will celebrate “Color Your Life Happy Day.” Then on August 9th take a picture showing how you celebrated. Email it to me at [email protected] with your name, activity, and city/state/country. I will post all entries on my blog and Facebook.

I’m looking forward to the wonderful array of celebrations.

The Higher You Soar The Clearer View You Have

eaglesoaringWhen I read this article by Gladys Anderson, it resonated with me on several levels. I can remember many occasions when it was hard for my husband and others to see my vision. It also reminded me of times when I had to hold to my vision and go after my goals.
I know you will be inspired by it too.
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This is a guest post by Gladys Anderson of Coach for Your Dreams.
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Several years ago on a cruise to Alaska, I took the opportunity to take a helicopter tour and walk on glaciers that have been forming for thousands of years. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime adventure and I’m so glad I did it.

The fluffy white clouds seemed to beckon me to reach out and touch one as we lifted higher. Slowly the landscape below faded into a blur as we soared closer to the glaciers.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sky was clear and the views of the breathtaking azure sea-colored ice had a calming effect despite the loud, persistent noise from the helicopter engines. After about a 30-minute ride, we stepped out of the helicopter on the glistening ice.

What an exhilarating experience! It was beyond anything I could have ever imagined!

And to think, I almost let my husband talk me out of taking the tour because he didn’t want to go. But after some serious “negotiating” on my part, he eventually agreed to accompany me.

Now, as I recall the excitement of my eagle’s-eye view of those spectacular glaciers, it reminds me of how we sometimes allow other people to talk us out of what can be a once in a life time experience, taking a risk or doing something we really want to do.

Sometimes, you just have to soar above your comfort zone, stand up for what you want and make the choice to do what your heart says will bring you joy!

And, here are some tips to help you make the choice to soar:

1. Make sure you clearly make your desires known. If people don’t know what you want, you end up getting what they want for you.
2. When an opportunity presents itself, don’t over analyze it. As long as it’s not harmful, you just might enjoy the adventure. Take the risk. More than likely, you’ll be glad you did.
3. Sometimes you have to soar above your comfort zone. I’m not even comfortable flying in a commercial plane let alone a helicopter. But I choose to leave my comfort zone for a chance to experience something exhilarating and magnificent.
4. Be open to new experiences and opportunities. Become a participant and not a spectator in your own life. Reach out and grab the brass ring, it just may take you on the ride of a lifetime.
5. Do some things you wouldn’t ordinarily do just because you can, it’s fun and will give you unspeakable joy.

What will you do this week to soar towards your joy?

Until next time…

Gladys M. Anderson, M.Ed., CTACC, LMFT
Empowerment Life Coach/Marriage & Family Therapist
Empowering women globally, one step at a time…
To learn more about how you can live your best life now with confidence, courage and clarity, please register at http://www.coachforyourdreams.com to receive a subscription to my bi-weekly ezine, “Insightful Living”, filled with thought-provoking articles, tools, tips and strategies to assist you as you journey on the path of self-discovery.

And, as a bonus, you will also receive a complimentary special report “The Fear Factor – 5 Easy Steps to Triumph over Fear”.
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Gladys Anderson, founder of Coach for YOUR Dreams, is a certified life coach, licensed marriage and family therapist, writer and speaker. Gladys combines years of experience, training and a genuine commitment to helping women balance the many demands on their time and energy, create limits that shift balance from overwhelm to energized, and live lives of courage, confidence and clarity. To get more information about Gladys and her program offerings, please visit http://www.coachforyourdreams.com