Why Gratitude is good for you

What we practice is what we get. How we move in our lives all day every day — what we move away from, what we move toward.

12 Things To Do More Often

You probably already know the things that make up a good, healthy, happiness-filled life. (And you’re pretty sure it’s not Cheetos, checking email in bed, or gossiping.)

20 Signs You're Spiritually Happy

When you meet someone who is spiritually healthy, you're immediately drawn to that person. You feel good just by being around them. These people are magnets for happiness, freedom and generosity, and have a unique ability to enjoy the present moment.

The only way you can achieve true spiritual satisfaction is by following your heart's desires.

Here are 20 signs you're spiritually healthy:

1. You stepped out of the victim role and now play the game of designing your destiny.

2. You love your life because you're living your soul's purpose.

3. You feel like you're contributing and serving with generosity.

4. You got off the emotional roller coaster, and your emotions feel like smooth waves on a clear day most of the time.

5. You catch yourself when you judge others and realize that what you're judging is intimately related to your own self-acceptance.

6. You don't fear making the wrong decision, because you're aware that there can always be a spiritual lesson.

7. You understand that freedom and happiness are qualities you cultivate from within, and the more you work on them, the more they grow.

8. You no longer feel like you need to hide out of fear of judgment; you are the full expression of yourself personally and professionally.

9. You spend time in silence daily and crave it when you miss a day, because you feel like something is "off."

10. You have the courage to let go of relationships that no longer benefit you because you understand that they already served their purpose.

11. Your soul is happy because you find a moment to play and dream every single day.

12. You don't feel lonely or disconnected, and you highly appreciate alone time.

13. You seem to notice details, colors, tastes and beauty with a sensibility that makes you feel like a kid.

14. You express your needs and desires with complete confidence and without confrontation.

15. You don't feel like you have to explain your lifestyle, because you understand how it serves you and might not serve others.

16. You're able to be in the now at least 25% of the time; you're fully present and in joy.

17. You don't second guess yourself because you trust your intuition and act on it.

18. You trust that life is on your side and problems are always opportunities or lessons to be learned.

19. You are able to fall in love over and over again, with your friends, with your partner, with your work.

20. You start your day with an intention and go to bed in gratitude.

Taken From - Mind Body Green

Happiness

Zimbabwe.... my home and home to some of the happiest people I know.

To me happiness is an essential part of life. Yes this world isn't always a pleasant place to be but if you look hard enough you can always find something that brings you joy. Sometimes it's a little harder when things aren't going great but that's when it's even more important to look for and hold on to the small things that make you happy.

Before and during my transplant, life was pretty rough to say the least, but I was generally a happy person. I was able to achieve this happiness because my state of mind was one of the few things I had control over. I had little control over my health, I worked at it but it deteriorated anyway. So instead, I worked on being happy. Friends and family helped a lot but at the end of the day the decision to be happy is yours.

In life everyone works on their careers, fitness, education and relationships but happiness is something people assume will just 'happen'. Sure, if you work on the other aspects of your life, happiness often finds its way into your life on it's one but as soon as something falls apart happiness is the first to jump ship.

Work on your happiness so that when something goes wrong in your life you still have the mindset of being happy.

How do you work on your happiness, you say? Well it starts with appreciation. Look at all the small things in your life and really take some time to think about them and appreciate them. Breathing for instance, it's a 'little' thing but appreciate the fact that you can do it. When you start to count and appreciate all these little blessings in your life you will soon realise just how much you have to make you happy.

I am currently doing the 100 happy days challenge which involves taking a picture of something every day that makes you happy. This is something you can do to ensure that you LOOK for things that make you happy. Some days it's easy and I want to take 5 photos, other days my life seems rather boring and I really have to challenge myself to find something to make me smile! It's a great challenge and I'd encourage you all to try it by clicking HERE =)

Here are some surveys you can do to test how happy you really are-

Happiness Survey

Do you know how to be happy?

There are so many things that make me happy in this world. Seeing a little flower growing between a crack in the road reminds me how resilient and beautiful nature is. Smelling the arrival of the first rains and of course animals!

Whether it's a cute puppy being so innocently naughty....


Or doing a trick that makes you feel so proud to have taught them something...


Animals showing each other love and tolerance....


Giving your pet love and seeing the joy it brings them...


Watching a wild animal having fun....


The ridiculous...


and the playfulness....


Animals always warm my heart :)


Be happy everyone,