Happiness – Page 4

1 Sign it’s Finally Time to Take a Step Forward Again (and How to Get Started)

05.18.2020 by Marc Chernoff // 28 Comments

If it entertains you now but will actually hurt you someday, it’s a distraction. Don’t settle. Don’t exchange what you need in the long run for what you kinda want at the moment. Study your habits. Determine where your time goes. Delete the toxic distractions.

Taking small steps can make a big difference, especially in tough times, but there’s no getting around the fact that taking these steps is often incredibly uncomfortable. That’s why so many people often don’t do it—at least not initially. But we have to catch ourselves, and remind ourselves that just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. The key is to remember that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, because that’s where human growth and healing begins.

In order to get something in life, we often have to give something up. In order to change our situation for the better, we have to take some action that’s not necessarily going to be easy or fun. Life is the opposite of perfection. It can be beautiful, of course, but it’s obviously quite messy and chaotic at times. Too often we shy away from taking the next step because we’re afraid it might not be worth the discomfort. It’s scary and uncomfortable to upset the status quo, even when it’s in service of something better.

It all comes down to a single question: what is worth suffering for right now? Is the change you’re wanting to implement—finding a new job, reinventing yourself or your business, ending a relationship, or something else—truly going to help you move toward the life you want to lead in the weeks and months ahead? If so, then it’s a sign that it’s time to step forward, and it’s probably worth enduring some extra pain and discomfort to get there. You can also rephrase the question to help you think through it: How important is moving forward to you? And what are you willing to sacrifice, in the short term and long term, in order to be happier in the long term?

By questioning your situation like this, you’ll realize that there are great reasons to step out of your comfort zone and to suffer. Changes of this magnitude do not come easily for any of us—especially as we collectively deal with the realities of COVID-19—and we understand that. But once you start to [Read more…]

How to Practice Letting Go (When You Catch Yourself Holding On)

05.08.2020 by Marc Chernoff // 46 Comments

If you worry too much about what might be, or what might have been, you will ignore and overlook what is. Remember this. Happiness is letting go of what you assume life is supposed to be like right now and sincerely appreciating it for everything it is.

Over the past decade, as Angel and I have gradually worked with hundreds of our course students, coaching clients, and live event attendees, we’ve come to understand that the root cause of most human stress is simply our stubborn propensity to hold on to things. In a nutshell, we hold on tight to the hope that things will go exactly as we imagine, and then we complicate our lives to no end when they don’t.

For example, there are a number of times when our minds cling to unhelpful ideals…

Life isn’t suppose to be this way, I need it to be different
There is only one thing I want, I can’t be happy without it
I am absolutely right, the other person is absolutely wrong
This person should love me, and want to be with me
I should not be alone, should not be overweight, should not be exactly how I am right now, etc.

In all of these common examples the mind holds on tight to something—an ideal—that isn’t real. And, after awhile, the inevitable happens—lots of unnecessary stress, anxiety, unhappiness, self-righteousness, self-hate, and depressive emotions ensue.

So, how can we stop holding on so tight?

By realizing that [Read more…]

3 Reasonable Responses to Steady Us When Life Feels Unstable

04.30.2020 by Angel Chernoff // 31 Comments

by Rachel Macy Stafford, author of Live Love Now

Because I wrote a book called LIVE LOVE NOW, you might think I am going to tell you how you can live in a constant state of love and positivity now and forevermore. That is not the case, nor is it realistic. As we live life, we inevitably encounter distressing situations and tough periods which can bring forth unloving responses. But when we begin practicing living love, we learn over time how to choose empathy and kindness for ourselves and others, even during times of conflict and instability.

Living love is often messy, and it’s not always easy—but it becomes a recurring gift we can give ourselves and the ones we love. Take a look…

While working on breaking a long and unhealthy relationship with [Read more…]

1 Secret to Getting Through Tough Situations (and Truly Bad Days)

04.20.2020 by Angel Chernoff // 32 Comments

The sharpest weapon we have against anxiety, negativity and stress is our ability to choose one present thought over another.

Recently, so much has been postponed, closed or canceled. But not everything.

Love has not been postponed, closed or canceled.

Hope has not been postponed, closed or canceled.

Self-care has not been postponed, closed or canceled.

Right now is an opportunity to invest… in the little things that matter most.

The human experience is filled with love, passion, creativity, joy, connection, compassion, laughter…and the taste of chocolate cake. But because we as human beings learn, evolve and grow through life’s ups and downs, our experience also includes plenty of difficult situations and seasons that round us out.

The key right now is to [Read more…]

3 Tough Things We Need to Do to Be Happy in Tough Times

04.10.2020 by Marc Chernoff // 34 Comments

You are not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even yesterday. You are always growing… stronger!

Sometimes life slams us in the gut, dealing us such a devastating blow it literally takes our breath away.

A pandemic hits, a loved one gets ill, we lose a breadwinning job, someone we know dies, money gets tight, feelings of depression and despondency overwhelm our better judgment… everything just seems to be going wrong.

So, what can we do when the world around us shatters, and we can’t seem to pick up the pieces?

The times when things are falling apart are precisely the best times to practice presence and mindfulness. These are the times we’re always preparing for, in a way, when we pray, meditate, self-reflect, and generally invest in our personal growth during the good times.

Truth be told, when the world seems to be crumbling, there is immense opportunity. But we must [Read more…]