Clutter Busting Coach

...clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Mission Accomplished – Gratitude Challenge Completed

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Yesterday was the final day of my 21-day Gratitude Challenge that started on August 7. I wanted to share how this challenge went for me. In a word…GREAT! By doing this for a shorter time, I was able to complete it every day since it felt very doable.

As always, doing this practice provides many benefits to me. And recently, scientifically validated benefits of gratitude have been published. So, you don’t just have to take it from me.

Through the work of researchers like Robert Emmons and Martin Seligman, we have learned that the virtue of gratitude is more than just saying, “thank you.”

Numerous studies are demonstrating how gratitude journaling can increase one’s happiness. Others show that inflammation in one’s body can decrease through the practice and attitude of gratitude. Each study offers insights into how a person can improve their overall health and well-being. [Read more…]

Clutter Busting: Be Happy!

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Chris Prentiss in her book Zen and the art of happiness (Power Press 2006) begins “There is only one way to achieve lasting happiness. The way is simply: Be happy.”

I read that and immediately closed the book astounded that the wisdom of the book was in the first two sentences. Then of course, I opened it again and read in earnest. What other words of wisdom would I find?

I purchased the book because I heard a story on TV about a local Michigan judge that was handing out this book to people who appeared in her court. I was intrigued. [Read more…]

Happiness From Within

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“Happiness is an inside job.” ~William A. Ward

So many times we look for things or people to make us happy. Recently I re-read parts of the book Worn Out Woman: when life is full and your spirit is empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray (Multnomah® Publishers 2004).

I was struck by the chapter I read on “Shoulds and Oughts”. Are you a people pleaser? I am. Reading this chapter was another aha moment for me because it made me realize that many of us (especially women) were raised to follow the rules and fit within a mold. Now I am not talking about just being nice or accommodating. I am talking about trying to be liked and banking your happiness on others.

We have to realize that happiness comes from within. So ask yourself the question what makes you happy and write it down. Then do one thing this week, today or this holiday season just because it makes YOU happy.

Your health and happiness are more important than temporarily pleasing someone else. What a wonderful gift to give yourself.

Catch Happiness Now!

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Are you happy?

With the economy, daily hassles, work pressures, health issues, and other worries it would seem that there is no such thing as happiness.

I would beg to differ and so would Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. I have been following the Women’s Day Magazine’s year-long challenge about happiness. I have learned from reading these articles that we have a chance…no a choice… every day to be happy. Every decision, event, circumstance provides us with a choice.

Happiness or being happy is an attitude. Happiness is a daily decision. Choose happiness today.