But life can be both bitter and sweet.
It is up to us to choose whether we want to reflect
the voices of gloom or gladness.
Marvin J Ashton
How can we cultivate happiness and optimism?
* Be grateful - have a gratitude journal
* Read Scriptures - 2 Nephi 5:25 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.
* Make it a conscientious choice
* Serve others
* Hold your tongue when it would be easy to criticize
* Give compliments - Try the opposite of criticizing: hand out compliments
* Find one good thing in every day
* Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
* Trust in the Lord
* Sing a Hymn - Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God hath done (Hymn 241)
* Pray
* Believe that you are a Child of God - Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for yourself. Don’t belittle yourself. Never forget that you are a child of God. You have a divine birthright. Something of the very nature of God is within you.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. … You are a child of God, of infinite capacity.
Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart.
Of course there will be some problems along the way. There will be difficulties to overcome. But they will not last forever. [God] will not forsake you. …
Look to the positive. Know that He is watching over you, that He hears your prayers and will answer them, that He loves you and will make that love manifest. (Gordon B Hinkley)
Happiness is an inside job.
