Tag: dreams and goals

Three things to know about happiness.

Where does happiness come from? What does it do for you? How does one stay happy in life? Happiness can be a byproduct of what we do for others. Happiness is not found in a person, place or thing. It comes as we carry out goals, help someone or choose to be thankful even when life is throwing the curve ball at you. It also comes when we give of ourselves to others. It is a disposition in life. The Dictionary says happiness means, “the state of being happy.” ‘Contentment, pleasure’

Wikipedia.org “Happiness is a feeling of pleasure and positivity. When someone feels good, proud, excited, relieved or satisfied about something that person is said to be ‘happy’ Feeling happy may help people relax and to smile.”

Why is happiness so important to people? I think it is promoted as an essential pursuit. First, it is a byproduct of what a person does with life. It’s not about money, status or who you know. It is a product of how you view life, what your dreams are and how you go about completing them. You can have no money and be happy. You can have millions of dollars and still feel depressed, lonely and unhappy. If you think the more, you have the happier you will be you will end up disappointed.

Secondly happiness isn’t joy, being joyful is an emotion. Joy is an emotion of excitement or a sudden feeling of cheer. It’s important to feel joy but happiness is more of a state of mind. Happiness can also be felt because it is produced when we give others help, when we complete projects or goals.   

Thirdly when we keep our minds free from comparing ourselves to others, self-pity, negative critical thinking we stay happy. Our minds will steer us that is why the Bible states in Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” We can choose our thoughts. I choose to not be focused on what I can’t do and do what I can do.

After having joint replacements, you learn if I overdo, I suffer pain, so you learn to pace yourself and do what you can, not what you are unable to. I choose to focus on doing what I enjoy and let the heavier things go.

Choose to enjoy where you are in life as you pursue where you want to be. Everyday we can learn something new, if you’re not sure what you like spend time trying new things to give yourself and opportunity to learn and grow. It is never too late to learn something new.

Remember happiness is a byproduct not a goal.

Numbering Your Days…

Are you numbering your days? When I keep thinking about accomplishing goals or plans, I usually write them down first. I like lists. I will still make a list of chores for myself. It helps me to get them done. If your struggling in accomplishing things or simply are not where you would like to be start numbering your days.

The bible states in Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:17 “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us; And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” In context of the entire psalm Moses was praying the prayer and its basis is in God’s eternal existence, judgements, and God’s returning favor to his people.

But when I happened to be reading this psalm verse 12 and 17 just spoke to me regarding when we want to be productive but are not sure how to obtain the motivation. I self-talk the truth to myself. This will contribute to motivate the accomplishments.

God has a particular purpose for each one of us. We are given talents and gifts that are motivationally within us. Sometimes we do not actually know them because we have not been taught how to identify them.

Your dreams or visions for your life are usually linked to those motivational gifts and talents. I will use myself as an example. When I was a child my mom said my friends and I would be playing school and I was always the teacher. The motivational gift to teach was put in me from birth but I needed to take the necessary steps to learn and use the teaching gift. This occurs naturally although I needed knowledge and learning to number my days through education and practical input through others helped to further develop the teaching gift.

So, learning and applying something that you love to achieve is a way of numbering your days. Following are three areas to help us to number our days.

First, in numbering your days is ‘know your purpose.’  The word purpose means “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”

You were created by God for relationship with him. Your purpose as a child of God is beneficial to your growth and wellbeing. Outside of relationship with God is empty and lifeless. In Jesus is life, meaning, and purpose.

Your purpose is connected to your dreams, aspirations, or vision. It is also connected to your gifts and callings. Which is a part of your motivational giftings.

Look at what you love and enjoy doing. Examples such as, singers love to sing, writers love to read and write. Comics love to make people laugh.

Secondly, to number your days ‘organize.’ Organize means “making arrangements or preparations for.”

Organize your day. Think about what is needed for that day and then choose what will be done.

Organize your workload. This also goes along with organizing your day. Prioritize what is the most important and do those first. Look at what is not important and if it is not accomplished it will not cause a problem.

Organize your time, energy, and fun. Time is the same allotment for each day and can be broken down into ingredients to balance your day with work, rest, and fun.

Thirdly, to number your days prepare. The word prepare means “make (something) ready for use or consideration. Just about everything takes preparing. Cooking, laundry, work, life etc. To achieve your goals in life it is useful to prepare with what is necessary for the goal. Investigate what is necessary to accomplish your dream or goal.

We all must start somewhere preparation includes all aspects of your life. When you are thinking about numbering your days, I believe that symbolizes being purposeful like having the plan or to do list. Organizing is getting arrangements or preparations for whatever needs accomplished or whatever I have intended to accomplish. Whether it is a daily idea or a lifelong dream it will take a vision which is a plan.

You do not need to have the whole plan to begin. Start with whatever you have and prayerfully ask God for the next step. Begin to number your days in which you may have a heart of wisdom.