Fighting hard battles, three ingredients for happiness, and living an incarnate life.
Three ideas and three questions for a happier life.
I. Every person is fighting a hard battle.
Every man and woman is fighting a hard battle. Life involves all sorts of ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and sorrows. And while difficult situations and backgrounds do not excuse inexcusable behavior, knowing that we are all fighting a hard battle can help put things in perspective. Who in your life would benefit from receiving your compassion today, even if it’s only in your thoughts?
II. Three ingredients for happiness.
A few tweaks to our physical routines can make an enormous difference. Here are the big three. First, sleep. A good night’s sleep can really work wonders. Children, work, and stress can make this harder but not impossible. Second, nutrition. Eating more whole foods, eating fewer processed foods, and drinking lots of water can help reset your system. Third, exercise. Moving around can boost our mood and energy. Try walking, jogging, lifting, stretching, anything really. If we can improve these three—sleep, nutrition, exercise—we would all probably feel a lot better. Even a marginal improvement can make a difference. Which of these three areas would give you the most return on investment?
III. Living an incarnate life.
Most of us spend a disproportionate amount of our days on screens. There is a great deal of literature—on the internet—about how bad the internet is for your mental health. I suppose that includes this post. Really, though, life is better lived outside and with friends than on a screen. Digital engagement on social media and the internet prompts us to engage with one another as asynchronous, atomic, and disembodied spirts. In stark contrast to this digital economy of interaction, there is something deeply incarnate about going for a walk in the park, speaking with a friend in person, or making a meal from scratch. Life is messy, but life is good. Get your hands dirty. What could you do today to take a break from the digital world and enter into real life and relationships?
All great thoughts. Loved the ideas on happiness and connecting with real people. I will incorporate those ideas into initiatives that I have going on today.