CREATE Happiness

The other night I was sitting on my couch just thinking about life. I have a good life, but sometimes I just get a little down and then I looked at this little wooden block decoration that my friend gave me and it says "Create Happiness" I think that we all have positive and negative things happen in life. We need to have a positive attitude and CREATE happiness. I really like that saying and I like my little block.

We can choose to feel happiness.
We can do acts of kindness and service that creat happiness.
I think that expressing love and apprecitation helps me feel happiness. I love spending time with my family and friends. I find that when I focus on myself too much I become so self involved that I feel like everythings not working out how I want it to. BUt when i think about others and what I can do for them and ACT on those thoughts of helping others I feel happier.
Thinking positively and smiling also help me feel happy.

I read an article today that said, "... if psychologists study happiness from people who have self-mastery over their beliefs they will have conclusions based on people who create happiness through expressing love."

Sometimes posts without pictures are boring...so here is a random picture of me that Matt took because he got a new camera lens.

 and our adorable baby! She is the best.

Tips to creating happiness:
---Go on a walk- I love taking my dog on a walk, getting fresh air and having a few minutes to myself to just enjoy nature. I know exercising would be good but I dont make time for it and it stresses me out so just something as simple as going on a walk is good for me.
---Having good relationships with family and friends. Keeping in touch, a random phone call, going to lunch, weekly dates with your spouse, watching a movie, playing a game, listening, letting others know that they are important to you and in your life.
---Accomplish something- I love to do lists and feel good when I can cross something off my list that I've been needing to do. I think it is good to be on time and do the things you said you'd do and you feel good.
---Live within your means. Most things dont stress me out but when you look in your bank account and see a red, negative number that does. We have been doing so well with our budget lately that this doesnt happen. I think it's important and helps you feel balanced when you work hard and pay for what you need and know that you earned what you have and that you own what you need. Getting out of debt feels great!
---Having a clean and calm space. I know that I can think clearer and relax when my house is clean. Sometimes I need to say no to people and just stay home and clean my house and organize something. And my husband seem sto be in a better mood when the house is clean and the mood is better. I think it is easier to feel the spirit when it is not cluttered and dirty.
---Be true to yourself. Do things that uplift your spirit and mood. Read good books, listen to good talks, surround yourself with happy, good people. Help others. Remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus are there for you and that you are not alone.

Have a wonderful day and create happiness!