Weekly: Your good life
How was your first week back after the holidays?
If you've been using the free New Happy 2023 tracker to reflect on your emotions and experiences, I'd love to hear how it's going. Hit reply and let me know. (It's not too late to get started, either!)
In today's newsletter, I'm sharing a powerful perspective shift that has helped me to find joy in life's good moments and resilience in the hard moments. I hope that, wherever you are today, it helps you, too.
Take care,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy
This Week
Watch the animation on YouTube
"I'll be happy when..."
These are four words that have caused a fair bit of misery.
It's easy to imagine a good life as a destination: somewhere we arrive when we have finally eliminated our problems, struggles, and fears. But there is no life where that is possible.
As Leo Tolstoy wrote:
"Life is continual creation, i.e. the formation of new, higher forms. When existing forms are destroyed, this only means a new form is taking shape, invisible to us. We see what is outside us, but we don't see what is within us. A caterpillar sees itself shrivel up, but doesn't see the butterfly which flies out of it."
It is these four words that offer a key to happiness: "Life is continual creation." It's an experience of wins and challenges; joys and pains; meetings and farewells; transfigurations and disintegrations.
There's no way of escaping this reality, but we do have the power to try and embrace it — and the wonder of making this choice is that does lead to greater happiness. There's joy, contentment, satisfaction, meaning, and love right here, amidst it all.
Here are three small ways to put this idea into practice.
∙ Write down what a good life means to you. (For wise inspiration, see the community responses below.) Are you making decisions that align with this?
∙ Whatever you're going through in this moment, remind yourself: this will change. This perspective can help you to look around with renewed gratitude or hope, knowing that this moment will pass.
∙ When you feel yourself being swept into the idea of happiness as a destination, bring yourself back with a grounding phrase like, "I'm going to find joy here, amidst it all."
More Tips and Tools
1. You are all worthy of love — Every part of you is worthy.
2. The two choices you make every day — Why living in integrity is essential.
3. When your plans don't work out — Don't beat yourself up; do this instead.
4. What to do if you feel stuck — Challenge yourself: you might actually just be afraid.
5. Achieve your goals in 2023 — Our four-step model to turn your dreams into a reality.
Or listen to the podcast episodes (Apple, Spotify) from this week!
Community
What does living a good life mean to you?
"Feeling safe, useful and happy most of the time."
"Getting to make a difference to someone or something."
"Meaningful work, supportive relationships, joy."
"Being okay with your choices, no matter the outcome."
"Meaningful conversations and noticing the flowers."
"Doing things that make you fulfilled and being kind to others."
"Living with intention and finding the love in everything."
Inspiration
A park ranger set a nightstand in a park (Washington Post) — And moments of goodness ensued.
In perfect unison (Kottke) — Never knew I needed to see this video montage of people doing the same actions at the same time.
What small inexpensive thing makes your life easier? (Cup of Jo) — So many good ideas in here. Bring a bit of ease to your life!
Before You Go
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