Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Welcome New Women’s LifeLink Author!
Cathy Lynn
Cathy Lynn is a personal growth blogger at her website Me First, by Myself, blogging and tarot instructor, and writer. She lives in Nashville, TN with two feline fur babies.
Chasing Happiness
by Cathy Lynn
“Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight up on you.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne.
In our lives today, we’re so rushed with everything there is to do, both personally and professionally, we have no idea whether we’re happy or not. Our lives tend to be about the next thing on the “to-do” list, or the next appointment we have, or the next thing in our over-scheduled lives. It’s hard to just stop for moment. Breathe for a moment. Think for a moment. And that’s exactly what stops us from seeing the happiness and the joy there is around us to be had at any given moment in the day.
So, how can we reclaim our ability to lift our heads out of the muck long enough to do what used to be called, “taking time to smell the flowers?” Well, here’s a few ideas:
- Schedule it. Seriously. Schedule five, ten or fifteen minutes of down time. Then when the appointment arrives on your calendar, take advantage of it as a time to let yourself day dream again. Or read that trashy novel you never seem to have time for; revel in every pulp fiction morsel of the story. I have my work calendar blocked out for the first thirty minutes of every work day. That time allows me to breathe. It gives me a few moments to actually enjoy the view from my office. Does it work every day? No. But, it works enough days that I feel the benefits.
- When you’re in the car, allow yourself quiet time. Don’t think about your schedule, or the kids, or what’s for supper. Don’t make phone calls. Instead, actually see the scenery you’re passing almost every day. Or turn on the radio to your favorite station or playlist and wail out your favorite song. I sing. Loudly.
- Spend your lunch hour doing something that fills you up. Put aside work or phone calls, or whatever else you tend to squeeze in during lunch. Instead, leisurely eat your lunch in a nearby park. Walk around, taking in the architecture in your area. Stop at a flower shop and buy yourself a flower…or a whole bouquet. There’s a park within 3 blocks of my office. I try to get over there for lunch about once a week. I watch the walkers, the birds, and the squirrels. It makes all the difference in the world in how I feel that day at work.
I’m sure if you try, you can come up with a whole list of ways that will work with your life and your schedule. And the small measures you take will help you to relax just a little more than you have in a long time. Before you know it, you’ll be basking in small joys, and in happiness without having to try to.
Hey Sandy – thanks for the comment! 🙂 It’s true, we tend to forget to include ourselves in our schedules 🙂 But, practice makes perfect, right?
Tracy – when we’re not used to taking those little moments where they fall, it can be hard to experience them, and move on. And equally as hard when we try to stop for them, and something gets in the way of it. Over time, though, I believe, we can become more spontaneous with them. “Allowing” is a key element. 🙂
Fantastic advice, I actually find it hard to ‘schedule’ in time, or even lunch time itself because I work from home and generally float from one thing to the next. For the past few days I have promised myself to fit in a half hour walk or bike ride to start exercising again, and you know what, it hasn’t happened because the washing is there, there are assignments to do, things I want to research or write about.
I use my phone to schedule in other things or events/job list for others but nothing for myself – thanks for reminding me I need to be included in my schedule!
Cheers
Sandy
x
THIS:
“Does it work every day? No. But, it works enough days that I feel the benefits.”
This is my whole problem. You’ve nailed it.
When I do remember to take time, I get all caught up in resolutions, and then just like two days after New Year’s, I go through a spiral of guilt, then shame, then beating up on myself and giving up.
I need to remember to just keep trucking and let it work when it does, and let it go when it doesn’t. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂