Bookstores and libraries are my favourite places to visit (besides ice cream parlours and beautiful gardens). On a recent visit to two excellent bookstores in Courtenay, The Laughing Oyster and The Blue Heron, I noticed how many books there were on happiness. It is an interesting phenomenon of our times that while we have more material comfort than any previous generation, our happiness levels are very low. I checked out several of the books and noticed that similar ideas or themes appear in many of them, such as:
Focus on the present. Living in the past or the future detracts from life now.
Create a family life which is satisfying and healthy. If you’ve had a difficult childhood with poor parenting, take steps that allow you to break the cycle.
Accept responsibility for your life now. It’s easy to blame others. YOU control how you respond to situations--don’t let others control your life.
Develop good friendships. We can’t pick our family, but we can choose friends who help us be better people. Loving friendships help us be healthy, long-lived adults.
Avoid negative or unhealthy friendships. Seek out people who make you feel good!
Find a hobby or sport that you love--even grownups need to play.
Make choices that develop character. Be a person others can trust. Keep your word. Avoid gossip.
Work on meeting your own expectations of yourself, those are the ones that really count.
When negative thoughts enter your mind, press the delete button.
Create a well-balanced life, with time for family, work, friendships, exercise and hobbies.
Count your blessings. An old saying, but so true. We are 'the keepers of our own contentment.'
Learn to live within your means. Worry about debt is a prime cause of unhappiness and marital problems.
If you are frequently sad and experience little joy or enthusiasm, you may be depressed. Research the symptoms of depression online. If you have several, talk to your family doctor. A great deal can be done to improve the quality of your life.
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows
it under his feet. James Oppenheim
(c) 2009 Virginia Brucker. Virginia is the author of Gifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family’s Christmas More Meaningful. It’s the perfect book about creating a recession-proof Christmas. Order copies for everyone on your Christmas list.
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