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rich minds, rich rewards

Change Your Life With This One Habit

By Valorie Burton
Author and Motivational Speaker

CBNMoney.com – “… Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
—James 5:13

There will always be things to complain about, bemoan, or dread. But there is so much more to be grateful for.

I recall the deep pain and sadness I felt when my mother emerged from emergency brain surgery due to an aneurysm and lost her ability to speak, see, walk, or swallow. In the midst of such severe physical disabilities at 49 years old, she chose to focus on thanking God that, through years of therapy, she would have the hope of recovery.

“I’m happy that I’m still here, and I get the chance to get better,” she would often say through slurred speech. Now, that’s a true happiness habit – an attitude that insists on finding something for which to smile.

Throughout most of life, we have so much that could bring us joy. The question is, are you engaging in the things that bring you happiness on an everyday basis?

This week, I challenge you to create what I call a “happiness habit.” In other words, identify at least one thing that never fails to bring you joy – and commit to incorporating it into your everyday life. Research has shown that positive emotions strengthen your ability to handle life’s stressors and become more open to others. This is about living in the moment, and using the power within you to intentionally engage in activities that lift your spirits, melt your stress, and make you smile.

For example, seeing a natural body of water brings me indescribable peace and joy. The sound of water washing ashore is divine music to my ears. The glistening of sunshine along the water’s surface is pure beauty to me. So my new happiness habit is to make sure I spend a few moments, even if they are brief, near the water every day. In college, I lived near the water in both Florida and California, and took it for granted, rarely going to the beach. But this time around, I’m not taking the joy water brings me for granted.

So, what happiness habit are you willing to create this week? Choose one and try it out for the next seven days. Don’t make it complicated or too time-consuming. Choose something you know you’ll do – and that you’ll look forward to every day. Perhaps it is an intentional moment with a loved one, a moment to write, a bubble bath to slow you down. Here are a few of the ideas that nearly 300 of you shared with me in response to last week’s survey question, “How do you lift your spirits?”

• Spend time in the sunshine.

• Turn on inspiring music – whether it’s gospel, classical, jazz, or old school dance music that reminds you of being a kid.

• Play with children.

• Go for a walk or some other type of exercise.

• Read a good book.

• Praise, worship, meditate, and pray!

• Do something that fully engages you, like painting, gardening, hiking, singing, or some other passion that is unique to you.

My challenge to you this week:

Develop your own happiness habit! Incorporate it into your everyday life, starting today.

Journaling assignment:

Close your eyes. Picture yourself smiling, laughing, or fully engaged in something that makes your heart sing. What is it that you are doing in that moment? What activity brings you joy and happiness? How could you give that activity a place in your everyday life?

A sought-after life coach and speaker, Valorie Burton seeks to inspire people to live more fulfilling, less stressful lives. She is the author of Listen to Your Life, What’s Really Holding You Back?, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, and her latest, Why Not You? 28 Days to Authentic Confidence.

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