We all want to be happy.

It seems “happy” is the vague utopia all citizens of earth strive for but never seem to achieve.

Well, I’m not here to relay a magic formula to achieve “happy” — that’s another post — but here’s a small list that I’ve come up with that helps my days become a little “happier.”

1. Make your bed. Yep, do it. The state of your bed is the state of your head, and how much cleaner and uncluttered is your bedroom and your mind when your bed looks pretty!

2. Watch the sunrise. It’s ever-changing, never duplicated, and always beautiful. What better way to begin the day than with earthy beauty?

3. Create an inspiring play list. Music influences us body, soul, and spirit. Find the titles that inspire you and listen!

4. Eat breakfast. Don’t skip it, eat it! Your brain functions so much better when it doesn’t have to compete with an empty stomach, not to mention your emotions will thank you for the nourishment!

5. Be nice. Who is the first person you have contact with in the morning? Make the conscious choice right off the bat to be sweet, sincere, loving…not grumpy. It’s a choice you can make!

6. Breathe. Days get hectic, it’s inevitable, right? The unexpected happens, and our otherwise manageable (or so we thought) day becomes grossly out of proportion with our level of sanity. Cause yourself to breathe.

7. Laugh out loud. Take a break to watch a 30 second YouTube clip or call up a friend who makes you laugh. The release of endorphins will be worth it!

8. Take in your surroundings. Whether at the office or out for a stroll, take it in! Look for the little things that are just waiting to bring a little splash of sunshine into your world.

9. Refresh your make-up. {Guys, splash some water on your face and grab an Altoid} Maybe a dab of lip gloss after lunch, a midday eyeliner touch-up, or an afternoon spritz of perfume from the trial size in your purse. There’s something about “touching up” something that revitalizes your mind and perks up your mood.

10. SMILE. It’s easy. Make the effort to smile at those you make eye contact with. You never know if that might not be just what their day needed, and it will improve your mood without your even knowing. It’s a simple choice…choose to smile!

Our days are too short to waste and not enjoy. Simple tweaks in our routine can make all the difference between surviving and thriving in our everyday!

How are you choosing to thrive today?

Photo Credit:  Charles Henry

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

– William Arthur Ward

May you be richly blessed in all areas of your life — Happy New Year!

L I V E in the present and make it BEAUTIFUL!

Over the past couple of weeks, as I’ve logged onto our keepingitpersonal.com site to post our Daily KIPs I’ve noticed I haven’t written a “longer” blog post since 9/11.  I’m happy to say that I have NOT run out of thoughts and ideas of what I would like to write about and share here, believe me, I’m keeping track of those ideas on my BLOG “to-do” list, BUT I’ve been focusing so much of my time on the book, gathering my thoughts surrounding that –I’ve just run out of time.

Right now, I could sleep on this fight OR I could share what’s on my heart.  Since I don’t do well sleeping on airplanes, ESPECIALLY when I’ve got something I need to get out………..I’ve decided to write.

One year ago He started preparing me for His plan, once I was willing to let Him.  I had realized that the plans that I was coming up with, WELL?  They were not turning out too hot, so I needed some help.  As I continued on my journey to discover who I was, who God created me to be I realized something……..I had gotten to a point in my life where I NEVER thought I would be, that’s a capital N E V E R!  And really, the things that I had been working through, such as shame, guilt, anger, resentments, insecurities, judgements, and perfectionism.  (to name a few, there might be more, UGH!!) were things that stemmed from doing things that I NEVER wanted to do.

I shared this insight with a few people and found that I was not alone, that’s comforting……in a nice way, right?  When I described my journey as overcoming nevers, others could relate.  That’s when the book idea came into my head.  IDEA, it was an IDEA – THAT’s it!!  Nothing more……..so I thought.

Just like anything in life, including our thoughts, what we feed GROWS!  The seed was planted.  I continued to talk about it, others encouraged me to do it, and before I knew it, the idea grew.  I had enough written about this idea to bring it to someone who could help me, with confidence.  I submitted a brief synopsis of my book, decided on who I wanted to work with and after a series of phones interviews, I had in front of me a detailed outline with the title chapters of the book.  OH MY…….here I GO!!

The book is developing.  I’m desperately praying for guidance as I work through the outline, expanding on every idea, elaborating each thought, sharing my personal stories, and explaining my tools.  The tools that I’ve committed to working with to grow, the tools that I’m picking up daily to improve my life, my relationships.  The tools I’ve embraced that are helping me become who God created me to be.

Now I’m ready?!?!  OR at least the calendar reminded me it was time to be ready.  I had an appointment to literally talk the book.  That’s what landed me in Charleston, I was nervous.  I believe I was prepared, but for what?  I had no clue what to expect.  PLUS, this wasn’t MY plan anyway, I wasn’t sure EXACTLY what to say – what IS the message God wants me to share in the book anyway?  Am I equipped?  How had I gotten to this point so quickly?  How was this simple idea turning into a reality so fast?  Lots of questions raced through my mind.

Before I knew it, it was finished – the process of me talking, talking, talking.  That step was complete, it wasn’t so bad!  Next, I was off to a photo shoot, filming the trailer for the book, discussing cover design, and NOW, wait…….wait for the manuscript to come back. Then I will do what’s next.  If we stay on schedule with the editing and production process the book will be out mid-february 2011.  SERIOUSLY!

While I wait?  I will take the advice of my friend, Andrea, just shine the lamp unto my feet and He will light my path.  I don’t know what’s next in His plan for me, besides the book. But what I’m learning is I need to continue practicing my patience skills, step out in obedience, and have faith.

Why THE BOOK?  Because we haven’t finalized the title.  Why not MY book?  Because I’m not there yet……because this is something that I NEVER had the desire to do.  So, I guess you could say that when it’s complete I will have accomplished a NEVER – a GOOD NEVER, one that I will be proud of.  One that I will want to share.  One that I hope to use to help others.  That’s when it will become MY book.

It REALLY was not MY plan; to write a book.  I’m not capable of developing such a plan.  But, here I sit with a smile on my face and joy in my heart thinking about how I’m liking this plan which I truly believe to be His plan; God’s Plan for me.