It's choice to be happy. You can change your mood when you align your thoughts, control your emotions, and not wallow in the negative. Shift your thoughts to more postive ones is life changing.

All of us have moments where challenges exist, however it’s how they are handled that moves us closer to our dreams, goals, and aspirations. Are you aware that your thoughts help you create the amount of happiness that shows up within your life? Life is lived at its fullest when you are in control of your thoughts and your reaction to the obstacles that show up. What helps most is learning the valuable lesson of being fully present in the now and not worrying about the future. It takes commitment but you can decide that you are going to make a mental shift and start each day with a positive outlook; doing so will cultivate a multitude of calm positive thoughts and make your day that much more peaceful by bringing you more joy. Changing your mood or attitude requires that you align your thoughts, control your emotions, and not wallow in the negative. As life happens, you will notice that there may be more than just a few bumps in the road and those bumps may even get in the way of your progress, but remember that this is just part of the journey. You may even discover during these rough patches that you feel sad or even a bit deflated. It’s quite alright to feel this way but do not take on the victim role for too long because negative feelings will soon begin to take over your life. Once they become part of your everyday experience it becomes even more challenging to reach for and achieve the dreams your heart desires. “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them” ~Walt Disney Changing one’s mindset is never easy. Tell me something; are you ready to live a happier life? Are you willing to create the lifestyle you most desire, are you willing to make the change today? It takes courage to get out of your comfort zone. Perhaps negative feelings have taken over and you are making more of a situation than what it really is. Are you caught in a cycle of judging yourself and thereby creating excess worry? This is an easy trap to fall into. It is important to know that you have the ultimate control over how you deal with the challenges that come your way. When you find yourself where the day doesn’t flow very well and your goals remain undone, don’t get to a point in your mental space where you see yourself throwing your hands up in the air and giving up. Don’t dwell on the negative by letting your mind wander and think about everything you have to do (I fall into this trap) because you will be using precious energy on the things you can’t control instead of using it to focus on reaching the goals you have set for yourself. If and when you are in this place, don’t stay there for long. Instead allow yourself some space and refocus. You will happily discover that this is a healthier approach which will increase your productivity and give yourself the positive outlook you need in order to meet even more challenges head on. You can’t be your best self when you are telling yourself you have to do this and you have to do that. Learn to use your inner voice to motivate you and take you to new heights. Once put into practice, you’ll smile more and get more done. To create a shift in your thoughts, think about something that brings you endless joy. One way to create a shift that my coach taught me is to visualize a happy experience in my mind. One that you can not only see with your mind but feel with your body. Maybe it was a day at the park. Remember the experience but also make sure that you feel the sun on your skin, or think back to how the wind blew through your hair. It doesn’t matter the event, only that you can actively call upon that joyous time at will. One of my favorite scenarios is to picture myself lying on a lounge chair in Aruba on a beautiful sunny day, listening to calming music while reading a book. Another way I create a mind shift is to sit on the floor with some quiet music and just be still. Yes, my thoughts wander, however I use the time to focus on my breathing. I’ve found that by quieting my mind, I’ve shifted my thoughts to a place of calm and experience even greater feelings of peace. This is a great way of dealing with stress and it is also useful during those times when your mind is overcome with all the things you have to do. Now it’s your turn. Try being still, even if it’s just for one minute, and see with your mind the happiest experience you’ve had and notice the difference in how you feel. If you’re like me, you’ll feel a sense of calm overtake your entire body, you’ll feel lighter, and you may even feel a bit of a twinge in your heart. Take note of these feelings for they are a sign that your mind and body have reconnected and you are now ready to move forward. A positive mindset can take you far. Do what you need to do in order to live your best life! Below are a few more tips to help bring even greater happiness to your life and assist you in achieving more than you ever thought possible. Give them a try and make sure to send me a note at Bonnie.Bonniegortler.com and share your experience. I’d love to hear. 10 Easy Ways How to Shift Your Thoughts to Happier Ones 1. Start and end your day with a positive thought 2. Be kind, gentle and have patience with yourself. 3. Don’t worry about the past that doesn’t serve you. There is no benefit, it’s an old belief that you are holding on to, let it go. 4. Believe in your ability. Take one action now, if the outcome is not up to your expectation tweak it, until you succeed at your goal. 5. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect. Learn from the lessons. Making a mistake is OK. 6. Take more action and the more success you will have. Go for it! If you do nothing, you stay in the same place as you are. 7. Never give up on your dreams. Dream Big! 8. Do what makes you happy and what you are passionate about. 9. Stretch yourself, go out of your comfort zone. If you need assistance reach out for some support from a coach. Someone who will encourage, listens, doesn’t judge you and you can trust. 10. Say yes to what will move you closer to your goal even if you feel some fear. Well, what do you think? Are the tips I’ve shared something that you can put into place within your life? Now is the perfect time to decide you are going to make a commitment to create more happiness within your life. The power to create such change is held within your thoughts and in all the actions that follow. Think positive thoughts and propel yourself as you move each day even closer to your goals. You don’t need to have all your answers in advance. Keep in mind that it’s those hardships filled experiences that teach us the most invaluable lessons. Don’t give up when you feel challenged or are unsure, instead dig down deep and push yourself to keep going forward. Decide to take that next action step toward the goal you desire to reach. Only you can make your dreams a reality! Remember that you are in control of your life, nobody else. You have the power at any time to make the choices that will shift your thoughts. If you can believe it, you can achieve it.