How To Get The Most Out Of Life

Many of us struggle with finding happiness in the day today. We getup, go to work, and go to bed, and assume we’d be happier “if only” certain things were different. But the truth is there are always ways to enjoy your life more, and all it requires is a change in perspective and a few adjustments to your routine.

If you have trouble seeing the positives around you, you’re not alone. According to a study that was done by psychology today, our brains have a negative bias. This bias causes us to worry, fear the worst, and focus on the bed instead of the good. It has helped keep us alive as a species, since worrying about potential threats helped our ancestors survive.

So we shouldn’t get to down on ourselves if we feel we have a tendency to focus on the negative and don’t always appreciate the good things in life. We are all guilty of it. The good news is we can alter how we see the world around us and enjoy our lives more. We just have to be willing to work on it.

Here are a few tips that should help retrain your brain to see the happy things.

Take Discovery Walks

A couple days a week go for a walk. It is important to remember that there is always something new to be found in our everyday environments, go for walk and commit yourself to finding 10 new interesting things.

Take A New Class

Push yourself to try new activities, even if you think they are not for you. I once to a clay molding class, we found a picture that we wanted a mold of cutting out the picture with the molding clay underneath, then put into a casing. At first I thought I’m in no way an artist. I don’t like things like that. But, when a chose to do something different I enjoyed myself, and I could really relax while doing it.

Seek Out Laughter

There is an importance to seeking out laughter, call or text a friend that makes you laugh. Listen to a comedian in YouTube. It’s impossible to feel negative emotions while engrossed in laughter. It is uplifting, energizing and calming at the same time.

Hug Someone

I know in today’s world we are not allowed close contact with anyone. But try hugging a family member, your child, or maybe your best friend, or try asking someone if they wouldn’t mind hugging. Most people will be up for it. Studies have shown that embracing someone with a hug boosts oxytocin into our brains, meaning that it genuinely has the power to elevate our moods. So if your feeling down, don’t be afraid to get a little tender loving care and hug someone close to you.

Quit Comparing Yourself To Others

When you quit comparing yourself to everyone, as soon as you notice that your feeling “less than” or “better than” others step back a moment emotionally. And save yourself from the pains of torment your causing yourself.

Say No To More Things

If your thinking “I can’t do that” it actually works. I used to tell everyone “yes I can do that.” I have found that one of the fastest ways to feel weighed down and unhappy is by over-committing ourselves and letting too much pile up on your plate. Soon there will be a huge ball of stress going from one obligation to the next, without any time to look around and smell the flowers. Don’t let saying yes take up your personal time. Learn to say no, and Clear some time for yourself by taking a few things off your agenda. I promise your mood will improve.

Schedule Yourself some self-Indulgence Time

This goes hand in hand with the last one. Schedule yourself some down time. Whether it be the gym, drinks with friends or just watching TV. Make sure you schedule yourself some time for your own enjoyment.

Listen To Some Uplifting Music

Music can make us happier. But do it with the mentality of “am I happy yet?” Instead just let the experience take it’s course.

Get More Sleep

This is a big one for me, I have a difficult time getting enough sleep, sometimes I only sleep a few hours a night. And I get the zombie feeling during my day. There is a strong link between sleep and mood according to Medical studies. It doesn’t take a Scientific study to tell you it can be difficult to feel good when you’re sleep deprived. Our coping mechanisms go out the window after several days of minimal sleep. If your sleep deprived you can get headaches, along with other physical symptoms. You will feel like a new person once you’ve given your body the rest it needs. I’ve been working a changing my sleep pattern and it’s amazing what a simple change can make.

Christmas Blues

For many, the Christmas period is a far cry from a happy, joyful time with gifts and laughter. It’s a period with some kind of disappointment, anxiety, sadness, depression and even suicidal thoughts. Christmas is often accompanied by stressors, including alcohol, changed sleep patterns, increased financial burdens, and the lost of loved ones.

When my father passed away the holidays were a depressing time for me. Knowing that his favorite season was Christmas was especially difficult. He was a kid at heart if I didn’t wait until Christmas Eve to take his my gifts. He started opening them as soon as I sat them on his table.

I took care of my father for 10 years. When he passed I started drinking alcohol again. It was the only way I knew how to deal with his loss. Especially as the Christmas Holiday approached.

It is important for people to acknowledge the difficulties during these times. Some may need to seek professional help for Christmas depression or sadness if it’s severe. However staying active and not isolating ourselves, reducing alcohol consumption.

Most Importantly, remember that the advertising hype and perfect imagery is fictional. Don’t let it define your experience.

If your financially burdened, there are some “Do it Yourself” crafts that are pretty simple. Or even spending time with people. A gift of time is the greatest gift. Baking sweets and give them as gifts. I usually make fudge every year to give. It easy, not the expensive, and easy clean up if you clean right after it’s done, while everything is not caked on. I have a friend that makes wreathes to give as Christmas gifts. I never go a Christmas without having a new wreath on my door. Some people know how to crochet. They crochet all year long for gifts during the holiday season.

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Experience Christmas Peace In Your Life Everyday

I write this because I know peace from the fear, the panic attacks, the generational curses that were in my life. The pain and anguish that I suffered. I thought this God stuff was just a lie, I was a huge skeptic but when I began going to church because of my children. God changed my life around completely, I truly want to make my life better, but I didn’t think this was the way.

When I say peace, I don’t simply mean the absence of conflict or animosity, I mean the presence of joyful tranquility and as much richness of interpersonal communication as you are capable of; a back and forth richness and sweetness, open, free, sweet no agenda peace. Is that what we’re all after.

So let’s look at these. Let’s start with the key. There is more than one. The key to each of three relationships of peace is keeping together what the angels kept together. But, we first have to treasure the glory of God. If you just want peace you won’t get it. You cannot separate the two. Th angels won’t let you. God won’t let you. God’s purpose is to give you peace by being the most glorious person in your life.

Five times in the New Testament, God calls for peace, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27). And Paul said Jesus Himself is our peace ( Ephesians 2:14). So if you say I want peace but I don’t want a glorious God. I want the peace, but I don’t want the sovereign Jesus, then you won’t have the peace. The angels have it right. The angels keep it together. If we want peace to rule in our lives, God must rule in our lives. He is our peace.

So the key to peace is glory to God and peace to men to keep it together. A heart bent on showing the glory of God will know the peace of God, making much of a God, displaying the beauty of God, admiring God, hallowing God’s name, and enjoying tranquility and peace and candor and openness and readiness to forgive and receptive hearts- not pushing people away, but welcoming people in, sometimes even long lost enemies. What keeps those together? Faith. Believing the promises of God bought by the blood of Jesus. And there is a key text. It is precious in my life. I love this- simple verse from Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.”

I don’t think it could be much clearer. How we I enjoy joy and peace from the God of hope? How will I? What connects me to that God and His peace? In believing, by believing, through believing the promises bought by the blood of Jesus at the Cross.

May Your Christmas begin a journey to God and believing and having faith and hope Jesus died for you. And paid the price for you to have peace.

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Shifting Focus

We all want to succeed. And one path to success is identifying the habits that can help us on our journey.

These days people look for quick fixes. Some see a successful, happy individual and wonder- how do they do it?

First of all there are no quick fixes to anything that brings success, and happiness. It take time and you have to be able to shift your focus and embrace some changes. Any quick fixes in our journey through life are just band-aids that yield short term solutions that don’t address the underlying conditions.

Theway we see the problem is usually the problem. We must allow ourselves to undergo shifts to change ourselves fundamentally and alter our attitudes and behaviors on the surface in order to achieve true change.

We should focus on these habits.

  • #1. Be proactive
  • #2. Begin with the end in mind.
  • #3. Put first thing first
  • #4. Think your going to win
  • #5. Seek first to understand. Then to be understood.
  • #6. Sharpen the saw.

Habits 1, 2, and 3 is focused on self-mastery and moving from dependence to independence.

Habits 4, 5, and 6 is focused on developing collaboration and communication skills, and moving from independence to interdependence.

Habit 7 is focused on continuous growth and improvement and embodies all the other habits.

We are in charge. We choose which values to live our lives by. Use this self-awareness to be proactive and take responsibility for our choices.

What distinguishes us as human from all other animals is our ability to examine our own character, to decide how to view ourselves and our situations, and to control our own effectiveness.

Reactive people choose to take a passive stance they believe the world is happening to them. There’s nothing I can do. Or that’s just the way I am.

They think the problem is “out there” but that thought is the problem. Reactivity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and reactive people feel increasingly victimized and out of control.

Proactive people, however, recognize they have responsibility or response ability to choose how you will respond a given situation.

It is our willing permission, our consent to what happens to us, that hurts us far more than what happened to us in the first place.

Stephen Covey

Truth Be Told

This is a song by Matthew West. I chose to share it. Because there is truth to it.

Lie number one you’re supposed to have it all together. And when they ask how you’re doing just smile and tell them, Never Better.

Lie number two everybody’s life is perfect except yours. So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors.

Truth be told. The truth is rarely told.

I sat I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine hey I’m fine but I’m not and you know it. I’m broke and when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not and you know it.

I don’t know it’s so hard to admit it. When being honest is the only way to fix it. There’s no failure in fall. There is no sin you don’t already know. So the truth be told.

Can I really stand here unashamed. Knowing that you love for me won’t change? Oh God if that’s really true. Then let the truth be told.

We are told to our problems and feelings to ourselves. Keep it under wrap and key. But I know from experience that is not true. I hide everything inside for to many years. It’s wasn’t until I started talking about my past traumas and feelings that I began to heal.

So, stop trying to hold it all in, it only slowly kills you inside. Let it all out, that’s the only way you’ll be peaceful, happy, energized and truly let the truth be told.

Standing Firm On The Promises Of God

Have you ever stare into a situation in the face and wondered how you came to stand where you are? It is times like these that we need the promises of God. We need to read them and we also need to recite them, pray them, and believe them.

One truth I am constantly reminding myself of when I am standing on the unconditional promises of God is that He does not change as people do. God does not promise something and then remove it because we displease Him. God’s promises are not reliant on our actions or the condition of the world around us.

You can stand firm in your faith because God is immovable.

Praying the promises of GodThe promises of God are Yes and Amen

What are the 7 promises of God

  • promise #1- I have forgiven you
  • Promise #2- I love you
  • Promise #3- I will never leave you
  • Promise #4- I will fight for you
  • Promise #5- I hear your prayers
  • Promise #6- I Am your safe place
  • Promise #7- I have an eternal home for you.

What does it mean to stand on the promises of God?

My pastor always talks about praying Bible verses. This is something I completely embrace and you will understand why this practice is helpful. With this in mind. I pray the promises of God.

One day while dealing with my seasonal affective disorder. I began praying I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 says breathe in, pray out, breathe in pray out.

I could feel myself gaining strength in knowing I have light and warmth in my heart and that I would get through the bad days if I focused on the light and warmth of God I can learn how to be at peace in the winter as well as the warmer months.

You may think are the promises of God really for me.

As a believer of God, you are covered in the blood, wrapped in grace, and are written in the palm of His hand.

”For no matter how many promises God has made they are Yes I Christ. And so through Him the Amen is spoken by us to the Glory of God” (Cortinthians 1:20.)

The definition of Amen is ’so be it.’ That should be our attitude when standing firm on the promises of God. God will come through. So be it. God has it forsaken me. So let it be God have forgiven me. So let it be I am clean. So let it be.

How many promises are there from God? The Bible is full of God’s promises. So many, in fact that I thought I would narrow it down and focus on 7.

Sin separates us from God. Sometimes we feel dirty to come before Him. Sometimes pride prevents it. In any case, when we are ready to accept this promise of God, He is ready to give it.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ( John 1:19)

I even I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake and remember your sins no more. ( Isaiah 43:25)

God remembers your sin no more. It is finished. You have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

Stand on His promises.