14,000 Things To Be Happy About

When you're going through a bad time, or even just feeling "blah", getting happy does more than make you feel better. It can literally change the course of your life.

The way we're feeling affects the decisions we make, the chances we take, the opportunities we seize or miss, and of course, our behavior - the way we relate to others and the way we respond to stimuli in our lives.

Someone who is feeling happy will benefit from more than just feeling good, they will generally make different decisions to those they'd make if they were feeling down, upset... or even just bland.

A person who is feeling happy will be more attractive to others, communicate better, have more success in dealing with others, and their choices and risk-taking will be better balanced. They will make choices that are more likely to benefit them.

A happy person will have a tendency to see more opportunities, and be prepared to make the most of them.

So, being reminded of things to be happy about is more than just a "cheer up" attempt - it's a powerful tool that can change your life by changing your attitude and in turn, your choices and opportunities.

The book "14,000 Things To Be Happy About" is therefore more than just a "pick-me-up" or distraction... it is a powerful tool that can affect real life results.

My favorite thing to be happy about is the sight of birds flying - especially a flock of birds... and especially a flock of Starlings. And the thing about "things to be happy about" is that you can create a sort of custom mood trigger. By appreciating something and deliberately choosing to be happy about it, your brain connects the feeling of happiness with the experience of whatever it is. What happens eventually is that, whatever your mood, the experience of that thing will automatically cause the release of endorphins and Serotonin.

Because of the appreciation and wonder I have when I see birds flying, I now have an association between happiness and the sight of birds flying... and no matter what my mood is, seeing birds flying above lifts that mood, and my subconscious almost sees it as a good sign, a reassurance everything is alright

Photo by Michaela Kobyakov

There is great power in enjoying the little things. Making a point of savoring your morning cup of coffee, or the sensation of a warm shower, or the smell of toast, boosts your mood - and even those tiny boosts add up to a big difference.

Developing an awareness of the pleasure in the small things in your life will lead to more of what you want - when you start appreciating and enjoying those little things, your mood affects your attitude, which in turn affects the things you do, the choices you make, the energy you have, the way you approach the rest of your day... which in turn changes the results you get.

The snowball effect continues to color your interactions with others, your communication, and your ability to get things done.

Remember: Getting happy about the little things... leads to the big things to be happy about - happiness leads to happiness.....

• sunshine
• soft socks
• toast
• coffee
• hot shower
• your car
• a seat on the train or bus
• a good book
• a smile from a stranger
• a good song on the radio, or on your iPod
• a funny comment or status on Facebook
• a tasty lunch
• your pet
• your mobile phone
• your shoes
• getting home
• a cup of tea
• access to the internet
• your bed

When you're feeling happy, you have more energy, more motivation, more inspiration... which means you're more likely to be physically active. Whether it's going to the gym, running, playing ball, dancing or getting a DIY project done - feeling happy definitely increases the chances you'll go ahead with it.

Feeling happy also leads to healthier eating - most people are likely to eat healthier and refrain from over-eating when they're happy.

On top of this, feeling happy also boosts your immune system. The chemicals produced by the brain increase the body's natural defences.

So, becoming aware of things to be happy about (no matter how you're currently feeling) can actually have a massive impact on your physical well-being.

* The convenience of a teabag.

How Fabulous is it that making a cup of tea is so quick and easy? Of course, one can use loose tea and a teapot when one wants to, but how brilliant is it that we have the option of a quick and easy cup of tea when we want it, or need it!

* Heating

* Hot Water

* Remote Controls

* Tar roads

* Vacuum cleaners

* Drinking water when you're thirsty

* Bubble baths

* Spreadable butter

* Soft pillows

* Seeing children playing

...... and of course, once you get started, you'll have many more :)

Sometimes being silly is the only way you can get from here to happy... and why not! ;)

A wonderful reminder, this poster features a gorgeous dog, bounding through a field, free, and with pure joy - "Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open" - a great philosophy for life. Living with this attitude can turn a person's life around. And having a poster like this where you see it every day, is an excellent way to keep yourself reminded and on track.

Remember, everything you do and say, the choices and decisions you make, the action you're prepared to take, your health, your relationships, even your financial state - all of this is affected by how you feel. All of this will be different when you're feeling happy. More energy, better judgement, more motivation and inspiration, better relations and communication, healthier eating, more ideas, more action, more achievement, more enthusiasm - this is just a fraction of what being in a happy state can result in. Do whatever it takes to get happy - it's a priority because it affects everything else! :)

Live Like Someone Left the Gate Open - Poster