I enjoy the yearly tradition of choosing a word for focus on for the year. In past years, I have chosen JOY, ORGANIZED, and other words.
This year, my word is HAPPIER!
I want to focus on a happier heart and a happier head.
I will seek to make my personal life, my family life and my work life simply happier.
What does it mean to be happy? I’d like to unpack a few thoughts.
1. You’re happier if you live in the present
Happy people focus on what’s happening right now. They know that whatever happened in the past, stays in the past. There’s no point mourning about it in the present. So, they make the most of what they do have. They learn from their mistakes and failures in the past, but they don’t dwell on it too much. Which is the exact opposite unhappy people do.
Most people are unhappy because they let themselves get too attached to the past. Can you let it go? Can you move on and focus on what you’ve got right in front of you, right this very moment? If you struggle with this, you’re going to miss out big time on the present, and you’ll only add it to your long list of things you regret.
2. You’re happier if you’re optimistic about the future
Happy people aren’t naive. They know the future is important. They can’t simply live in the present, and not have a good plan for the future. Happy people are optimistic about what the future holds.
In contrast, if you’re dreading the next thing to happen to you, there is not much room in you for optimism. What is the next thing to happen is something fabulous? Can you be open to the possibility?
3. Happier people appreciate everything
Gratitude is often overlooked in one’s quest for happiness. It’s so easy to look beyond the good things you do have and go straight to wishing for things you know are way out of your league.
Can you choose to be thankful for what you have? Can you choose to appreciate the wonderful?
Several years ago, I went through a significant depression. My spouse was battling cancer and my eldest daughter was descending into mental illness and drug addiction.
I was reminded of an old Louis Armstrong song – What a Wonderful World. In the song, he reflects on simple things, like blue skies and red roses, and comments, “And I think to myself – what a wonderful world.”
I think about that song every day and reflect on the wonder around me, whether it is how the fog hangs across the highway as I drive, or how the ice crystals sparkle on the sleeping tree branches.
Happier people are thankful for the wonder all around them.
4. Happier people have a good sense of humor
Happy people know how to roll with the punches. They don’t dwell on whatever negative thing’s happening to them right now. They take it all in stride. They try to find the humor in everything. This is why happy people are such a joy to be with – they help other’s see things in a different and more positive light.
Being present.
Being optimistic.
Being grateful.
Having a sense of humor.
Would having more money, a nicer house, more clothes, or buying that $500 purse that I’m convinced I simply must have make me feel happier?
Maybe, but maybe not.
Presence, optimism, gratitude and humor will definitely increase my happiness – and yours.
Great post, Christine! I will commit to happiness in 2019. Everything you said makes a lot of sense. I’m glad we’re learning all this in middle age.
Absolutely, love your word for 2019. As a student and teacher of mindfulness I’m all about living in the present. It’s challenging sometimes. I’m better at preaching about it than practicing, so I commit to practicing happiness and presence more in 2019.
This is such a great blog post on Choosing your Word for the year. I just curated your post for my peeps, as I will be starting their year off by helping them choose a word.
Thank you so much for posting your 2019 word.
I look forward to reading more from you.
Great word for the year Christine. I love the idea of consciously choosing to be happier. I’ve picked my word but won’t be announcing it until the beginning of January. It’s on a similar theme and I’m hoping to see some personal growth through 2019 to reflect my choices.
Thanks so much for being a part of MLSTL this year – I’ve shared your post on my SM – Happy Christmas! 🙂
I also choose a word-of-the-year. I like how you’ve laid out specific elements to make your word happen. Happy New Year has a whole new meaning for you now! visiting from #MLSTL
I have a list of words I’m considering for 2019. I cross a few off and add s few every day. So I’m not there yet. This year I chose “Explore.” I didn’t get to travel as much as I’d like to, but that didn’t keep me from exploring closer to home and also exploring new ideas and skills. I like your word choice. I may have to add it to my short list! #MLSTL
Happier is a GREAT word for the new year. I really think that if we focus on being happy we become more happy. I haven’t yet chosen my word but Zi have been thinking about it. Happy new year!
You’ve chosen your word well, Christine. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on happiness and completely agree. While we want to learn from the past and prepare for the future, the only time we can live is in the present. Everything is temporary–the enjoyable and the uncomfortable–so savor the good times and hang on through the difficult. I too have had some very hard times, as I’m sure most people our age have, and I learned that you can find joy in the simple things even in the worst of times. Every day you are alive is a good day. Best wishes for your Happier Year!
Hi Christine – I love the idea of choosing a word to go into the new year with – particularly as your thoughts and aims are so uplifting. Hope you don’t mind but I have shared your post on my PainPalsBlog regular feature “Monday Magic – (this week) New Year Inspiring Blogs for You!” Happy New Year, Claire x (PS: think my word will be positivity)