Welcome.
Our message tonight is about happiness.
Where does it come from and how do we get it?
We'll sit back,
Relax,
Close your eyes and take five deep breaths.
Notice how your body feels as you breathe and with each exhale relax even more.
Our topic is happiness,
So varied and different to each of us.
We experience meanings of joy,
Satisfaction,
Contentment and fulfillment.
Most everyone agrees that it involves positive emotions and life satisfaction.
Happiness grows as we sit in the present moment.
Consider happiness as being defined as well-being,
A focus on your personal feelings about your life in the present and break it down even further,
A balance of emotions and life satisfaction.
So I ask you,
Are you feeling like you are living the life you wanted?
Feeling that the conditions of your life are good?
Feeling that you are accomplished with the life that you have?
Feeling satisfied with your life?
Happiness isn't a state of constant euphoria.
Instead,
Happiness is an overall sense of experiencing more positive emotions than negative ones.
There is magic in the spaces of life where you experience emotions of anger,
Frustration,
Boredom,
Loneliness and sadness.
Even when you are faced with discomfort,
When you remain with an underlying sense of optimism that things will get better,
You can cope with what is happening because you know that you will be happy once again.
For you,
Maybe your happiness is derived from doing what feels good,
Practicing self-care,
Fulfilling desires,
Experiencing enjoyment and feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Or your happiness may come from well-being,
Including feeling that your life has meaning,
Value and purpose.
Maybe happiness to you is fulfilling responsibilities,
Investing in long-term goals,
A concern for the welfare of other people,
And living up to personal values and standards.
So think of your happiness.
Is it associated with joy,
Excitement,
Gratitude,
Optimism and contentment?
What color does it hold?
What feelings does it hold?
Does music and art enhance your happiness?
Maybe seeing a friend or remembering someone?
Daily habits create happiness.
So smile,
Exercise,
Sleep.
Just rest,
Let go and unwind.
Be grateful.
Happiness can come from giving a compliment,
Breathing deeply,
Decluttering,
Seeing your friends,
Planning your week and setting daily intentions,
Getting out into nature.
Acknowledge the unhappy moments.
It is awareness itself that is most important.
So write in a journal.
Let go of grudges.
Maybe you go shopping or spend time with your puppy or your cat.
Maybe you practice forgiveness.
You give thanks.
You dance.
So ride on the clouds.
Throw a line.
Fly a kite.
Hold a hand and just be open to it all.
Give yourself permission to choose.
Find happiness and when you do,
Do more of it.
Light it up and lighten the mood.
Maybe happiness is as simple as sitting up straight and practicing positive affirmations.
I can.
I eat healthy and I exercise regularly.
I am successful.
Maybe happiness to you is giving back to your community.
Planting flowers in a public park,
Picking up litter.
Or it's savoring the good memories.
As simple as drawing a smile on your face.
Happiness is our choice.
And when we do acknowledge the fact that we will have uncomfortable,
Fearful,
Sad and lonely times,
We rest in the confidence that.
.
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