“Happiness is Knowing it can get Better”

We named our company Joy Beyond Your Dreams intentionally. Not only can you be happy, life can be even better than you allow yourself to imagine. Yet, for most of us, we never let ourselves go there. We stay stuck in the same old-same old and do not let ourselves think it can be any different.

It breaks my heart when women think this is as good as it gets. It is equally tragic when a young girl does not allow herself to believe it can get better.

My son is a high school senior. This week, a girl at his school committed suicide. She was a sophomore. She didn’t believe it could get any better.

Everyone who hears stories like this is devastated. So young. So much ahead of her.

I wish every woman, every girl, lived from a deep place of secure inner knowing and had trust in herself. I wish everyone had self-love and self-confidence. That is what happiness really is.

Happiness is peace. A happy person knows self-love. Self worth.

A happy person can cut herself some slack, be it school girl pressures or grown up girl pressures. A happy person can get rid of the china cups that she doesn’t like, even if they were from Great Aunt Ruth. A happy person takes a little bit of time for her own self care and does not feel guilty. A happy person knows self care is not selfish, it is the ultimate act of compassion.

A happy person can say no. A happy person can lose that weight, get that job, and take that trip. A happy person can fall in love.

A happy person has learned to listen to her heart.

We can all learn how to get happier. We first have to decide that we are worth it. After that, the rest comes much easier.

Women sometimes tell me that they would love to take my Joy Beyond Your Dreams program, they say they want it and need it, yet they can’t bring themselves to spend money on themselves. The car needs tires. The house needs this. The husband needs that. The kids need everything. The dog needs that. Everyone and everything comes before their own well being.

I get that. I do. I have the people pleaser gene too. I also know that happiness habits can change our DNA. We are not destined to be anything we do not allow.

If you are stuck and stressed, you have to first decide that you no longer want to be stuck and stressed. The how-to stuff to increase happiness and confidence is actually pretty simple. First, you have to make up your mind that you want something more/better/different. You have to make up your mind that you are worth it.

You know I preach the joy journal – tracking every day the little things that brought you joy, made you smile, made you feel a tiny bit of appreciation. The other part of the joy journal is to write three things you like about you.

That is your joy assignment. In this culture we live in, we need to remind ourselves of our beauty and worth. Every day, jot three things you like about you. It can be physical traits, it can be personality traits. I like my green eyes. I like my decorating flair. I like how I handled that conversation with my colleague.

Please, take the time to learn to like yourself again. Put yourself in a place of honor in your own life.

If you cannot think of three things you like about you, find someone to talk to. Reach out to a trusted advisor or friend. Message me via email or Facebook. Call my toll free number.

Our souls came here to know joy. Believe that it can get better. If you are distraught, know that it will get better. Let yourself believe it. Happiness. Self-love. Trust. Believe it. Inner peace is what we all want. Start today.