Whether we realize it on a conscious level or not we are all striving to be happy.
That is really our number one aim in life: to be a happy individual.
As mothers it can prove to be even more of a challenge to attain our personal happiness because we are so focused on others.
But since everything we long to do in life, since all of our goals and dreams serve ultimately to bring us happiness and a sense of fulfillment, accomplishment and success, then we need to seriously take a look at our personal level of happiness and make some adjustments in order to increase this feeling.
So, what exactly do you do to help your personal happiness grow? First and foremost it's important to stop and contemplate on what things, activities and people in your life make you happy? Who and what gives you a feeling of joy? What brings a smile to your face? Who makes you feel better and be better? Take a few moments to consider this.
Then make a list, write it down for reference and a reminder in the future.
These are the things, activities and people you will want to spend your energy on.
Take the time, make the time, to focus on this list and participate in these activities.
By doing what you love, by being with people you enjoy, your happiness will have no choice but to broaden.
Engaging in fun, uplifting, motivating, inspiring and rewarding actions automatically boosts your inner positive emotions.
So consciously make the effort to seek out people, things and activities that make you feel good.
But it doesn't end here.
On the flip side of this exercise you will need to consider all the people, things and activities that do not bring your happiness, that instead make you feel bad.
Who are the negative people in your life? What things and activities that you currently partake in make you cringe? What do you find yourself dreading? Create a list.
Now what you need to do is decide how you are going to change these negative situations.
What can you do to make each item on your list better? If it's a person that just really gets under your skin then maybe spend less time with them, or if they can't be avoided, think about what you can do to improve your relationship.
What steps can you take to begin the healing? Do not expect others to change.
You are responsible for you, not them (unless they happen to be your child, then that's a parenting issue that you should immediately remedy).
The act of deliberately taking strides to enhance a suffering relationship alone will begin to increase your happiness because you'll know you're doing something very important and mature.
If there are activities and things in your life that deplete your happiness, think about what changes you can make to better them.
If it's running around being "taxi mom" all day, then fill your car with music and educational CD's you enjoy and listen to them while you drive.
If it's housework then do the same, pull on the headphones and crank up your iPod while you work, or break it up into smaller tasks so you're only doing one small job each day.
If it's working out then drastically change your routine or find a friend to gab with while you sweat.
If it's something you don't even have to do, then stop doing it! If you signed up for a committee and absolutely hate it, just remove yourself.
Don't worry, they will find a replacement.
There are any number of ways to make changes that will eliminate or greatly reduce the negative and increase the positive.
The key is to actually do them! A little bit of effort can reap huge rewards!