These are passages from one of the interesting books I am reading now called Happy For No Reason by Marci Shimoff.

“The Happy 100 recognize that it isn’t useful to label events as “good” or “bad” in the first place. Instead, they choose to trust that everything contains a gift or a lesson,  though they may not always be able to see it in the moment.” 

Happiness Habit for Empowerment #3

Make Peace with Yourself

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“During this period, although I often had happy moments, there was always a part of me that was profoundly sad.” (p.73)

“I began writing my own story, peeling away layer after painful layer of truth and emotion. In the end, it was the most liberating experience of my life. I truly believe that opening that box inside of me and taking ownership of the feelings I’d stuffed inside was the way to my healing and my peace.

Today, I no longer have that pain inside of me.”

I really believe that every misfortune I have gone through has led me too my fortunes, the happy life I have today. If people are afraid to tell their stories, I tell them from my own experience, it will only lead you to great fortune- of inner peace, and the joy and lightness that come with it.” (p.75)

“The bottom line is this: thoughts come and go, relationships come and go, pain comes and goes. I’ve discovered that clinging to my stories about what I think I want and need is a surefire recipe suffering. Today I’ve come to a place of real peacefulness, of letting go and accepting things as being just what they are and nothing more.” (p.95)

Katie Byron’s four simple questions about your painful thoughts and beliefs.

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
3. How do you react when you believe that thought?
4. Who would be without the thought?

“All suffering comes from believing our thoughts.” (p.96)

This simple tool helps us get distance from our thoughts to make better decisions.

“As I continued doing this over time, my happiness increased exponentially, because as we know from the Law of Attraction, when you notice and appreciate the happiness you already have in your life, you draw more happiness to you.:” (p.107)

“It wasn’t until I was in my early thirties that I stopped looking to others for love and acceptance. One day a friend of mine pointed out that intimacy can mean “into me I see.” Wow, that really woke me up! Could I find love by looking into myself.”

“I’m proud that you have never said a negative word-ever- about your son’s father. I’m proud of the work you do to help so many teens. Focusing on these things felt wonderful.” -Lisa Nichols (p.109)

“There are probably rumors around the country that I’m a little strange, but that’s okay. It’s worth it to be a happy woman.” (p.110)

“Without a second’s hesitation, the salesman said to me. Ma’am it is not my job to fill your tank.” His answer changed my life. He was right. It was one of those epiphany moments: I saw that it wasn’t anyone’s else responsibility to fill my tank- in my car or in my life. 

Today, keeping my attention on what I appreciate about myself helps me to fill up my own “love tank”. -Lisa Nichols (p.111)

“In the center of our own body, there is a small shrine in the form of a lotus flower, 

And within it can be found a small space.

The heavens and the earth are there; the sun, the moon, and the stars, fire and lightning and winds- the whole university dwells within our heart.” 

-adapted from the Upanishads

“Even as an eight-year-old, it was obvious to me that the heart has an energy that extends beyond the body.” (p.118)

“It was the day before Father’s Day and there in the stack of mail was an envelope to find a card with beautiful artwork on the front that she had created herself. Inside the card, she had written a message that turned my world upside-down. She told me that she still felt deep love for me and was sincerely happy that I was the father of her children. She said that despite the challenges we’d been through, she had grown profoundly in my company and that she wishes me nothing but wonderful health, good fortune, and happiness.” 

“These new feelings of gratitude carried me along like a wave.” (p.124)

books coaching advice happiness Happy health learning life Lisa Nichols self growth