Daily Harmony

How do we develop our potential to live with daily harmony?

An upbeat perspective adds a smile to the heart, cuts the risk of illness, and speeds recovery if sick. It adds pleasure to life and a sense of ease.  You're always ready for the situations life presents!

Striving for Happiness is not the answer. That illusive bluebird will mock you.  A sense of control over every aspect of life is not realistic or easy.  Especially when you try to control others' behavior.

Attempt to achieve harmony in your own life situations. That behavior builds resilience to stress. Self-empowerment becomes a health tool when you focus on actions that provide joy and work toward balance.

In a study of centenarians, people who live to 100 and beyond, researchers discovered several characteristics:

Centenarians complain less about discomfort than younger individuals.

They remain intellectually stimulated and have satisfying relationships.

Hundred-year-olds maintain interests in myriad activities.

They sleep well and take naps often.

They have developed techniques to deal with anxiety and depression.
 
A belief in a religion or spirituality adds to their life skills.

The centenarians believe in a search for contentment.  They realize
moods bounce around from low to high and they keep the rhythm going.

They smile more than most!


Here are three ideas for daily harmony:

Life requires acceptance and balance. We can feel bombarded by negativity while standing at the grocery store's check out line.  Rows of magazines shriek at us with headlines of absurdity and sensationalism. Use your creativity to turn those headlines into the positive ones. Then, let someone with fewer items go ahead of you and share your smile.

Discover a life based on Gratitude for each moment and revel in  your individual gifts. I find balance and energy in daily runs, walks in nature and focus on my mind-body-spirit and breath during yoga practice.  I slip right into myself and benefit from all the sensations. Even the negative feelings become teachers.

While driving, avoid anxiety when other drivers tailgate or inconvenience you.  How do they drive with their knees while chugging coffee in one hand, cell phone in the other?  At the next Stop, begin a Laughter Exercise.  Start with HO HO HO.  Add HEE HEE HEE.  Move into a wilder HA HA HA.  Repeat adding a tune.  Roll the windows down.  You will infect some cranky person in the car next to you or attract someone walking with his head down.

It wastes energy to feel anger or frustration. When you feel a "tremor of terrible" creeping up your body, acknowledge it!  Then wave it away.  Laugh and use that talent more often.


Which skills have you developed to chase the blues away? 

Live to celebrate 100 years of resilient living.