It seems as though it’s in vogue these days to be fearful, greedy, stressed out, divorced, bankrupt, in poor health and have a life that isn’t worth living. I’m going to take a big risk here and tell you a secret about my life.
I am happy.
I’m a little reluctant to admit it because everything around us seems to being going to the dogs, but I can honestly say I don’t have anything to complain about. Now you might be asking yourself, “come on, isn’t there something in your life that stinks?”
Well the answer is yes, there’s plenty to be unhappy about or to complain about or to be negative about but I choose to focus on something better. A little while back I allowed myself to get caught up in all of that. Frankly, embracing that attitude and those feelings brought me nothing but more of the same. I was afraid of the future and wasn’t living in the present.
So I began the slow process of digging myself out of that hole. I begn to look at things in a new way and started taking my own advice. I just started appreciating things a little more. Little by little, I climbed out of that hole. It’s astounding when you look at things from a new perspective.
Take marriage and relationships. I hear my clients complaining all the time about their spouse or significant other. Why is it so difficult to find the redeeming qualities of the person we’re closest to? Why do we always focus upon what is wrong with the person, their behavior or what they “don’t” do?
My husband and I have been happily married for 22 years. We still have date nights. He does a lot of the cooking and is a dedicated husband and father. Is he perfect? No, but we still love and respect each other. We also give each other space to enjoy the things we love to do individually and as a family. Is that worth celebrating?
We have good health. Everyone around us seems to be repalcing a body part–knee, hip, elbow, cornea– you name it. We see advertisements everywhere for drugs to treat everything from pain, insomnia, incontinence, virility, depression and memory to name just a few symptoms. We have no complaints. Is that worthy of gratitude?
We are rasing a family with two healthy, growing boys who are eager to learn, have a great circle of friends and who aspire to succeed and contribute something to the world. Is that something worth appreciating?
My personal success coaching business, (www.kathryn-mckinnon.com) that I founded 19 years ago, is transformative for my clients and growing. Helping others transform to become more successful, to find happiness, choose better health, create more abundance and wealth, and find peace of mind brings me joy too. Is that worthy of celebrating?
I have time to enjoy my life, my family and friends. Is that a good reason to be content?
I enjoy pampering myself with moderate physical activity, flowers and paying someone else to clean my home. Does that bring me joy? You bet!
Hobbies bring me delight. Singing is still a great passion for me. I continue to sing and actually get paid to do it. Singing brings me such inner joy and a connection to something beyond my comprehension. I heal others with my voice, my words, my attitude and my presence.
To what do I attribute all this joy, inner peace and happiness?
GRATITUDE for what I have seems to bring me more of the same.
Peaceful, gentle THOUGHTS create inner serenity.
Setting specific INTENTIONS each morning help me exceed my goals.
Understanding in every single moment that I have a CHOICE about what I think, what I say, how I feel and what I do, gives me inner wisdom and true power.
TRUSTING in the knowledge that who I am is good enough.
LETTING GO of struggle and resistance to embrace the newness of change and maybe something better than I can possibly imagine.
EMPTYING myself of any sorrow, regret, grief, pain, bad habits, guilt and shame.
What’s left? This all leads to feelings within me that can’t be anything but mere happiness and joy, falling in love with my life all over again.
There is joy in silence and the breath of LIFE…and that alone is worth celebrating.
It’s spring.
There’s newness and rebirth everywhere you look, if you choose to SEE it. You can find peace of mind and contentment if you choose to reach for BETTER THOUGHTS. You can make someone’s day if you choose to SAY SOMETHING KIND or encouraging. You can be happy if you choose to allow yourself to FEEL it. You can spread joy if you choose to do AN ACT OF KINDNESS or be helpful in SERVICE to someone else.
The birds can’t help but sing out in joy every morning. That’s how I feel. That’s what I experience. You can feel this way too. You can experience this energy too.
I hope this post can help you find something in your life to be grateful for and worth celebrating.
Blessings,
Kathryn
P.S. If you have something to contribute or want to share something you’re happy about, post it here!
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