Advice I'd Give to a Younger Me

I'd like to share what I've learned with you. I would also like to have you share with me some of the things that make you happy.

I've finally learned to accept where I am and make the best of it. Take time to know where you want to be and how to get there. For now be in the moment. Don't wish for yesterday, but do dream about tomorrow. What steps can your take to be where you want to be? What actions do you need to take to get there but wait, be sure it's where you truly want to be. Right now, be happy where you are.

Be Willing to Learn. Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on anything else; read, listen to tapes, journal, have meaningful conversations, never stop learning.There is no truth to the axiom 'you can't teach and old dog new tricks'. No matter where you are in life, you are capable of learning something new. Never stop learning, it can bring so much joy.

Simplify Your Life. What is it that makes us think the more we do, the better we are? Why do we allow ourselves to become so over-burdened with 'have to do this and have to do that'? When do we take the time to just 'be'. Can you be happy running here, dashing there, getting this, getting that? We need to choose what we are going to do carefully. If it isn't vital to your life, you can turn it down. Omit one unnecessary thing from your life right now and make time to just be.

Anticipate. Look forward to things coming into your life. Visualize them. Feel them as if they are already here. A warmth will embrace you, a smile will sneak onto your face and your eyes will light up. This is how happiness feels. This is what you can make happen.

Spread Happiness. Wherever you go, take a moment to do something that will make another person feel good. See if you can make someone smile. The more people you can give a feeling of happiness to, the more happiness you will feel. Throw off thoughts that are negative, they don't belong in your life. Wrap yourself in those things that bring you joy, and keep them always within reach.

Be Thankful. No matter what you have in your life, be thankful. Start a gratitude journal. Every day take a moment to be thankful for something, even if it is just that you got up in the morning and had a new day to embrace happiness in your life. Be thankful for the little things, then watch as the bigger things come into your life. It happens. You can start it happening right now by being thankful for this moment.

If you go into your past, go to the good parts, the memories that make you smile. 

©M. Bradley McCauley