By Chris Emmanuel
“Things don’t make happiness, your attitude every moment of your life does.”
Even though its slow season, it seems that San Pedro is speeding up. There is news online is daily and people are visiting. Construction and new expatriates are increasing the population on the island. But truth is, are Sanpedranos happier?
As the little town grows into a city, it seems that many people desire more to find happiness. More time, more money, more stuff, etc., consider that each desire you have takes you away from being in the moment to enjoy life. As you plan to attain a goal, you can lose sight of the great moments around you now. The more things you desire to be happy can lead you to living a life of anticipation rather than participating in the now.
We seem to live in an age where there never seems to be enough. The TV, Radio, and Internet are constantly bombarding us with more to do and get daily. Despite all we might have or achieve at the end of the day we all want that feeling of contentment. If you could have the contentment and feeling without achieving, would you still pursue goals?
Don’t get me wrong, having goals is a great way to progress in life, but if you don’t stop every now and then to enjoy your achievements you will always be wanting instead of living.
Below are steps you can take to help you desire less and enjoy life more
1. DON’T KEEP UP WITH THE NEIGHBOURS
If you measure your value by what you have and the neighbors don’t, or visa versa, you will always come up short. At times it may seem as though others are doing well because of their external achievements, but remember unless you can get behind their eyeball you really don’t know what is really going on in their heads.
2. REVIEW ALL YOUR DESIRES
Take time to make a list of all the things you want in your life. Circle what is the most important and ask yourt4rself why. Many times what we really need is approval and acceptance by our family and friends. Know that the best reason to want something is for yourself and not anyone else. Consider whatever you achieve will never be accepted by others the way you perceive it.
3. KNOW WHAT HAS REAL VALUE
You may have a long list of goals that you believe will provide you with contentment when they’re achieved, yet if you examine your state of happiness in this moment, you’ll notice that the fulfillment of some previous ambitions didn’t create an enduring sense of joy. Desires can produce anxiety, stress, and competitiveness, and you need to recognize those that do. Realize that things don’t make happiness but your attitude every moment of your life does.
4. ALWAYS SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL
Bring happiness to every encounter in life, instead of expecting external events to produce joy. Do this by approaching life with a positive attitude to each day. If you expect good to happen you will be surprised how many times it really does. Success isn’t something to just achieve, but rather something to feel every moment of your life.
5. BE THANKFUL FOR WHERE YOU ARE
Change your view of the world this very moment; see everything as miraculous. List six things that occur in your life daily that you have been taking for granted. Then take some time to pay attention to them. The color of the sky, the sound of the reef, smell of good cooking, flowers in your yard, kids playing in the park, anything that happens naturally without you …let yourself appreciate all you haven’t been noticing that make your life wonderful. When you stop and smell the roses, you’ll realize where the garden really is.
Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel , Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.
