Why Each Day Should be a GIFT – and how to be Happier

July 3, 2018

They say that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that’s why they call it the ‘present’.

Sticking to this idea of the present being a ‘gift’, I’d like to give you four things you can look to incorporate into your day to help you become happier.

Life is a G.I.F.T. – Use it!

If we look at the word gift, that’s a good place to start.

G – Gratitude

Gratitude is often spoken about by successful people and I have to say that having a daily gratitude practice the last 7 years has transformed my outlook on life and people. We are inherently mostly cautious and dare I say it – negative. Not everyone, but we are evolutionarily speaking designed to notice difference, danger and so that can create a negative view on life. Especially if you watch or read the news! It’s all designed to keep your attention.

Here’s what I suggest. Start a daily gratitude practice. This can be in the morning, evening whenever. But have gratitude each day. In practice, I write one or two things in the morning I’m grateful for in my Super Journal (you can find out more about that here: http://thesuperjournal.com ) and then each evening before I go to bed I write down three things I’m grateful for that day. They could be things that happened that day, or in life in general. Big or small. The feeling of the wind on my face on a sunny day. The ability to cycle in London. My family. Seeing friends. Access to the internet. The rain to water my plants. Anything.

I started doing that back in 2011 for a 30-day challenge and haven’t looked back. After 6 months I introduced 3 ‘future’ gratitudes. On one side of my gratitude book I write the present day gratitudes, then on the opposite page I write three things I’m grateful for (that I don’t currently experience) ‘as if’ I already do though.

There is much written about the health benefits of gratitude too, so it’s a great practice to get into. It will change your life – guaranteed. There is always something to be grateful for. And if you can’t be grateful for what you currently have, why do you think you’d be grateful for things in the future.

I – Inspire

I believe that we should look to help people when we can. Open a door, give a smile, praise. Whatever it might be. If we can look to help and inspire other people the world would be a better place. When you do things for other people, you feel good too. It’s win-win. Maybe even a bit selfish, because we do things for others, but we actually serve ourselves too. So what. It’s all good.

We have the ability to speak, to write, to act. Let’s use those abilities to help inspire others. If you can do something inspiring each day (even if you just inspire yourself a little by watching something motivational on YouTube), then it’s all good.

F – Forgive

Forgive others. We all do the best we can with the resources we’ve got. Forgive your brother for what they did/didn’t do. Forgive your parents for doing a lousy job raising you. Forgive your ex for breaking your heart. When we harbour animosity towards others it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get ill. It doesn’t work. It affects us more. Not them.

Yes, I know it’s easier said than done. I’m with you on that. Do what you must to forgive.

“Forgiveness is for me, forgiveness sets me free.”

Maybe you just repeat that as a mantra.

As well as forgiving other people, forgive yourself too. We can often talk very critically to ourselves. That we’re not good enough, smart enough, fun enough, sexy enough, strong enough, rich enough, successful enough….enough, enough, ENOUGH!!!

We all have fears that we are not enough. In one area or another. That we won’t be accepted. Won’t be loved. YOU ARE ENOUGH. Forgive yourself.

And yes, forgive yourself for being less than perfect. And not going to bed on time, or not eating a 100% healthy diet. Or not exercising every single day. Forgive yourself. Move on. Do better next time. Then forgive yourself again when you mess up. Just do your best.

T – Touch

Touch is super important as part of the human experience. Whether that is touching other people – physical human connection. Or even animals. But also the earth. (Check out this blog post on that: http://harikalymnios.com/book-of-the-month-the-most-important-health-discovery-ever)

Your health and sanity depends on physical connection. If you can’t get human interaction, then aim to get interaction with pets (stroke that friendly neighbourhood dog – not the angry one). Get yourself barefoot on the ground, or put your hands onto trees, grass or dirt.

Perhaps take up an activity that leads to touch. Dancing, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Acro Yoga. Maybe get a massage each week (I’d love one each day of course – but it is pricey, unless you have a willing partner to help out. I’m training my nieces on how to give them!)