November 13, 2023

Summary

Make it your daily habit to continuously focus on the good that is already in your life.

More by Rieko Mwenyewe

How to live a happier life: 10 questions to ask yourself

How to live a happier life: 10 questions to ask yourself

Photo courtesy of The Couture Agency

Have you ever pondered how to get happiness in your life? Should you feel cold and see life just drifting by you?

Here are Ten pointers to finding a happier path in life.

10 Questions To Ask Yourself

Ten simple questions you can ask yourself today that will inspire you to look for the good in life — things which may be already working for you, and will make you appreciate and recognize them for their benefit and value. These questions will teach you how to get happiness back in your life by focusing on the right things.

As life gets busy or when sudden misfortunes arise, these things are sometimes overlooked and left unnoticed amidst the chaos of everyday living. Take the time to answer these questions below and feel how much you have to be thankful for right now. This will help shift your perspective by looking for what is satisfying wherever you are, instead of what is missing, lacking, or not working.

1: The people I feel blessed to have met in my life.

This could be a family member, a friend, a teacher or mentor, or even a new acquaintance who has helped you in one way or another. As you take the time to name them one by one, feel the gratitude for having attracted them into your life and the appreciation for the unique being that they are to you. This could be anyone you have met in person or online, who has given or taught you something of value and assisted you in becoming a better person.

2: The things I have right now that makes my life comfortable.

Look around you right now and notice what brings you comfort wherever you are. This could be the simplest things like the bed you slept on last night, the roof above your head, the relaxing bath you had this morning, or the meals that made your tummy satisfied. Up to the things you once desired that you now enjoy, like a fast internet connection, your access to a wide range of products and services all over the world, the ease of communicating to anyone regardless of distance, and the variety of avenues for pleasure and entertainment available to you.

3: The qualities or skills I developed over time that I feel proud to have now.

This could be qualities such as kindness or generosity that you have practiced and has become the trait that people like about you. Or it could be your cleanliness or superb organizational skills that you just feel proud to be good at. Or it could be that you are a good listener and friends are comfortable to share stories with you, that you are humorous and fun to be around because you are very light-hearted and don’t take things too seriously that much, or that you are an avid learner and you just enjoy improving yourself in many areas of life. These qualities are very valuable to have but are oftentimes not given enough credit for what they’re worth.

4: What experiences I had in my life that made me better than I was before.

These are experiences you have gone through in the past that make you feel thankful for the valuable lessons and insights they have provided for you. Recognizing them will make you see your experiences in a good light and that are present in those seeming contradictions in life. This could be your past relationships that have ended but made you love yourself even more, or a lost job opportunity which eventually led you to discover what you truly wanted to pursue in life.

5: The things I enjoy and love doing that I am able to do, either regularly or occasionally.

The things that make you feel joyful and excited as you do them, and which you are capable and free to do from time to time. Maybe it is reading a book by your favourite author, watching movies you like, trying out a new recipe by your favourite celebrity chef, buying a new wardrobe for yourself, or just laughing out loud with your friends over a cup of coffee. These could be simple but meaningful things you’re able to do from the comfort of your home, or alongside other people from time to time.

6: The desires, big or small, I have in the past that I am already leaving right now.

These are desires that you want at one point in your life that have already manifested for you. It is time to look back and remember the things you once wanted in the past that you already possess today. Perhaps a desire to take a cooking or art class, or your desire to start your own blog, or to improve your self-confidence and communication skills. It could also be opening up your first savings account or starting on your diet program. This could be any baby step that you’ve already accomplished for yourself or have successfully ticked off on your wish list.

7: Unique things I like about myself.

The personality trait or ability I like most that makes me distinctly who I am. Maybe having a very unique laugh that many find funny and contagious, or possessing a great memory that you find it very easy to retain information, or even being good at analyzing directions and navigating the road especially in new places. Look for these characteristics in yourself, and feel your self-love and self-esteem grow as you recognize your own hidden genius.

8: The things that made me smile or laugh today.

Think of three things that made you feel good today. Could be a Facebook post from a friend that made you laugh so hard, a very adorable baby on your Instagram feed, a surprise call or message from a distant relative you haven’t talked to for awhile, or just the nice and comfortable weather as you are relaxing at home today. Notice these subtle things around you that are worth feeling grateful for today.

9: The things that worked out for me this week.

These are things at home or at work that went smoothly and successfully for you. Your laundry finished on time, check. Your weekly house cleaning done, check. Requirements for a certain project already submitted, check. Groceries for the week done and complete, check.

And as you notice all the things working out, you will vibrate toward success and appreciation more and more. This will create more good things coming to you with great success as well.

10: The kind of help I offered anyone, tangible or intangible

What good things have you done for somebody else. Offering helpful advice for a friend in need, assisting a co-worker on a certain project you have some knowledge about, giving directions to a stranger who’s new in town, offering food to a homeless child, donating your old clothes to charity, or even just giving a helping hand to your mom as she’s doing household chores. Notice that as you offer help and kindness to another, you are also giving that positive energy to yourself.

Conclusion

Big or small, your every answer to these questions is counted, and each one adds up to the blessings that are continuously piling up for you. In time, it will be easy for you to know how to get happiness back in your life whenever you fall back into unhappiness thinking.

What you focus upon grows. So make it your daily habit to continuously focus on the good that is already in your life and watch it grow to even bigger, greater things. And in time, you will gradually lean towards looking for the good in life and always seeing your world in a positive light.

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