“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi’s words are a powerful reminder: happiness is an inside job. It has nothing to do with the car you drive, what anyone thinks of you, where you live, or how much stuff you have. It’s a matter of being clear about what matters to you and choosing thoughts, words, and actions in alignment with those values. 

When you’re not happy, look for what’s askew. What are you saying, thinking or doing that doesn’t serve you or align with what you hold dear? Where are you judging what you’re seeing or experiencing? Where are you attached to a certain outcome? Where are you in the groove of an old record that it’s time to break over your knee and toss aside? Where do you need new boundaries? What can you learn from the experience?

You’re not a victim, you’re an observer and creator. Get present. Breathe. Experience. Notice. Choose. Love. BE.

“The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

You reap what you sow. Are you planting the seeds of love, joy, and peace? What do you most often talk about? Read about? Think about?

How can you lighten up and add some joy to your day? What are the people, places, sights, and thoughts that make you smile? When you’re happy, you naturally spread happiness to everyone you encounter. And like a boomerang, it comes right back to you.

Your Joy Style
How do you give joy to others? It can be as simple as a smile, a joke, a hug, a silly comment, support, encouragement, gratitude, a compliment, or even just deeply listening.

Think back on your interactions over the last few days – how often do you remember seeing a smile on someone’s face? If you helped put the smile there, reflecting on your role offers clues about the way you organically circulate joy.

Brainstorm ways you can expand that sharing to touch more people, more often. Experiment and see how your joy increases as you pass it along to others.

P.S. A "fake" smile has the same physiological effect on your body and mind as one that's "genuine" - this is one place "fake it till you make it" is actually good advice!