Today- appreciate YOUR life : )

Celebrate your life today! Give thanks for what and who you have in it. I have a quote that I love to revisit, "Someone always has it worse than you". Although it is unfortunate that this is true, it is a great quote to help you realize and appreciate what you do have.

I want to share my day and what led me to this post. I had a friend come with me today to a follow up doctor's appointment for my Thyroid Cancer. I kind of kept this appointment under the radar from my family and friends because I have asked for so much help and support over the past 2 years. I mentioned it to her last night because I was still a little nervous. This doctor's appointment would tell me if I needed to have a 2nd radioactive iodine treatment that would give the Cancer the extra kick in the butt. I was very (secretly) relieved when she asked if she wanted a friend there. This morning, we took the drive over an hour to the appointment. Even knowing that I am cancer free, I still get nervous going to these appointment, especially because this one was to either prolong treatment or give me the clear... and I got the clear! The doctor told me I did not need to have another treatment, and that I just needed to follow up every 6 months for the next couple years. Other than that, I am "normal" again! What a great way to feel some appreciation for your life! I feel so full of life today, and I am so grateful that the weight is lifted off my shoulders. I am so grateful that I had a friend reach out and ask if I needed help. It reassured me that I am very fortunate to have people care so much about me! On the way home, my friend and I were discussing how so many people need to appreciate the life that they have because they are so many less fortunate out there. It is amazing how so many people lose sight of the greatness of their own life by only focusing on the bad things.

Focus on the great things about yourself today. Even make a list of all of the things in your life that you are grateful for. Put down on paper how amazing your life actually is. Also, take a minute to throw some thoughts and/or prayers out to all of the less fortunate people in the world. I believe that everyone can use this hand of harmony today to find a new appreciation for their life. Celebrate today because you have today!

-JR

What is your key to happiness?

An essential component on the journey of true happiness begins with a simple key, a building block that defines exactly what makes you happy. Illustrate and define your key. What makes you truly happy? Look at the key above. Study all of the components of this that would make it fit and work perfectly to opening a locked door. What do you see?

I see three main components in the image of this key: 1) a handle, 2) the support, and 3) the unique puzzle piece that fits perfect into the door. Now, apply this to your life.

The Handle

How would you handle a situation while maintaining happiness? Particularly, how would you handle a difficult situation keeping your own happiness in mind? It may be easier at this point to look back and see how you handled a difficult issue in the past especially if the outcome made you feel bad in any way. Close your eyes and replay the event in your head. How could have handled this differently? What would have made you happy if your handle was based primarily on your own happiness? How could it have transpired into a better outcome? Step back and now think of your handle in more general terms. How we handle any situation should be based on what you want to come out of it. Compromising your own happiness will always leave you feeling unsatisfied. Grasp your handle and hold onto to what would truly make you happy in all situations- both big and small.

The Support

Many people forget to use the amazing resource of support, which may lead to feelings of uneasiness or second guessing. How can one be truly happy if they are always second guessing themselves? Please note though, that support should leave you feeling happy. Positive support should be the only support you accept. Your goal is true happiness, so if there are people you rely on for support that tend to leave you feeling even worse or more confused afterwards, perhaps you could start to search for a new support system. Always respect their opinions and be grateful for their advice because you did ask them for help, but gracious walk away and reach out again. Find something or someone that gives you a clearer mindset or a better perspective to ensure the support of your key is working! Ultimately, you are your greatest support in search of your goal, but always having someone who you know will have your back on all of the decisions that get you to that goal is a critical portion of your key. 

The Unique Puzzle Piece

To save the best for last, the unique puzzle piece is the main ingredient to your happiness. Think of all the things to make one single puzzle piece. Now think of it this way- you are the puzzle piece. There are exclusive elements in your life that make you truly happy. Close your eyes again while thinking of this idea. Envision something that makes you smile or laugh or feel completely loved. Draw a piece of puzzle and put all of those ideas- places, events, people, or things that give you the utmost joy and keep it. It is easy to lose sight of happiness during the tough times, but holding onto all of those things that make you happy gives you a bigger and brighter picture of what your life should be about. Take a minute to grasp the elements of your own personal euphoric life, and use this technique to help remind you that true happiness can be obtained again because it already has been.

Always keep in mind that a key only works with all of its components together. You can only turn the key with the handle; you can only maintain the power of the key with the support; and, you can only open the door with the unique piece to tie it all together.

May this hand of harmony help you in your journey to true happiness...

-JR