6 Ingredients for Happy

If you’re tired of being unhappy, take a look at the following ingredients.  Mix and match as you see fit, but try them all.  The harder a particular ingredient seems to come by, the more essential it probably is for your unique recipe.  Give yourself plenty of practice.  Once you get comfortable with the ingredients, the recipe will practically make itself!

1. Alone Time: Other people’s energy (happy, sad, mad) and ideas do rub off on you.  You’ll need space to yourself to find and fully explore the following.
2. An Honest View of Reality (even if you hate it):  Don’t let how you want things to be get in the way of seeing how they really are.  Change can’t happen if you deny the need.
3. Active Self-Love and Acceptance: Accepting all things about yourself, and loving yourself in spite of the things you don’t like.  The active part involves taking care of yourself, as you would a child.  You don’t neglect the child just because it gets a little hard.  Don’t neglect yourself.  What steps can you take to make your life a little better today?
4. An Open Mind: Don’t let convention, tradition, expectation trap you into an unhealthy lifestyle, routine, or relationship.
5. Let Your Heart Rule, not your head:  Your head connects you to other people’s ideas of how you’re supposed to be. You’re heart knows exactly what is good for you.  If you want to be able to give to the people you love, better give to and love yourself first.
6. Fun: Last, but not least.  A healthy dose is definitely required!

Keep in mind, this recipe is not to be rushed, and don’t let anyone tell you how to make it.  Others can offer tips (ahem), but you’re the final authority on what and how you choose to put in it.  That said, go, get creative and have fun in your kitchen!