“The way to be truly happy is to be truly human, and the way to be truly human is to be truly godly.” J.I. Packer
In my article last week (Surviving One Year of Widowhood), I shared with you that I chose happiness instead of sadness during the early months when I grieved the loss of my husband. Since then, happiness pervades my day-to-day activities.
Janvic Mateo ( Philippines 2nd happiest country in South East Asia – report, March 21,2024, Philippine Star) writes, “According to the Annual World Happiness Report released by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Center in the United Kingdom, the Philippines ranked 2nd happiest country in South East Asia. The report used three-year data from Gallup World Poll, published in partnership with Gallup and the World Sustainable Development Solutions Network. This year’s results were based on data from 2021-2023.”
Mateo adds, “Of the 143 states, the Philippines standing improved to 53 from last year’s 76 out of 137 countries. In South East Asia, SIngapore ranked first (30th overall). The report used three-year data from Gallup World Poll. Respondents evaluated their own life as a whole from a score of zero to 10, with 10 being the highest.”
The report concludes: “Global happiness has increased by more than 20 percent over the past dozen years, in all regions and age groups, to an extent that differs a lot by age and by region.” (AFP in Mateo).
Here are 35 Ways to a Happier Life: (1) Put a bottle of water by your bed when you turn in. When you wake up, drink what is left for a good start to hydration. (2) Spend a 10 minute of dedicated one-on-one time with loved ones you live with; (3) Make your to-do-list specific. Example: Add one tablespoon of root hormone to one-gallon of water. (4) Print photos from your phone and give them as gifts. (5) Call your parents. They want to hear you. One day you won’t be able to. (6) Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes! (Hahaha)! (7) Cut up some fruits and veggies and place them in the fridge—-for a healthy snack later. (8)Make sure to do things that bring you joy at least once a week. In the case of our family, we go the the Sunday Market in Valencia, Negros Oriental, every week where we eat our breakfast, meet friends, buy fruits and veggies and laugh a lot (Hahaha)! (9) Pay your bills as they come in —-we also do this, otherwise, there will be consequences, if you miss the deadline! (10) After answering your friend’s question about yourself, always follow-up with a question about them. (11) Do a few ‘square breathing’ at the start or end of the day and whenever you’re stressed: breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four and hold for four; (12) Set up automatic transfers on your payday. Any amount will do. (13) Any exercise is good. A five-minute walk is better than none. In my case, a daily 30 minute chair- yoga, with David, (my grandson), is part of my exercise routine. (14) Smell the roses —-or any flower that’s close by. (15) Buy a sunscreen you will use; it’s money well spent. (16) seize the weekday: Don’t save your best china for weekends and special occasions. (17) Exercise first thing in the morning, because even if you’ve accomplished nothing for the day, you’ve accomplished that. (18) Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry or bored. (19) Find a community outside of work and family. (20) The next time you’re tempted by an amazing bargain, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” (21) Smile at people you pass on the street. (22) Not sleeping great? Cut off caffeine after 12 noon. (23) Spend an afternoon at an outdoor cafe and watch the world go by. (24) Travelling? Take only carry-on luggage. You can do it! (25) Spend a little time outside everyday, no matter the weather. (26) Make your bed before you leave the house for the day. (27) Choose your battles. They’re not all worth fighting. (28) Follow social media? Take a day off once in a while. (29) For an afternoon pick-me-up, tea with a little sugar, can’t be beat. (30) Call a friend you haven’t spoken lately. (31) Learn to say hello in three other languages. Spanish – Hola! German-Hallo! And Italian – Ciao! (32) Don’t let bad weather stop you from enjoying the outdoors: just wear the right clothes. (33) Pick up some books from your local library to read over the holidays. (34) Cook something from another culture. (35) Write a letter. With a pen. On paper. (35) Turn off your phone at 9 P.M. For a better sleep. ( 75 Easy Ways To Have A Happier Life. Editors of Readers Digest. April/May 2024).
“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“Look at the birds in the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)
So, be happy, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.
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