About two months ago, I met with a wonderful friend and mentor who asked me to do this one simple challenge that has completely changed me in ways that are indescribable.
I took the challenge a year ago, but didn't make it very far. But I never understood the impact it would have on me until I actually completed it.
The challenge she issued me was called the Happiness Baseline. The title is self-explanatory, it is the habit in which my happiness depends on.
This challenge consists of six of things I needed to do each day. And I had no idea how happy and uplifted it would make me feel.
First, Gratitudes. Each day right after I said my prayers, I wrote in my gratitude journal five things I was grateful for that I currently had, each beginning with "I am grateful" or "I am thankful". It wasn't a list, it was an affirmation. I was writing on paper that yes, I was grateful to my Heavenly Father that I had these things at this moment.
The next part of my gratitudes, was to write five more things that I would be grateful to have. It has the same concept of the former, but looking to the future. I was writing on paper that when these things happened, or came to me, that I would be grateful to my Heavenly Father for them, in fact, I was already grateful to Him for them.
To make things clear, the second half was not an unrealistic wish list, it was reasonable and had meaning and personal value. You write it the same way as the former. Not as a list, but as an affirmation or a personal covenant with the Lord.
Second, Journal writing. After I wrote in my gratitude journal, I wrote in my personal journal. When I wrote in my journal, I wrote about the positive and exciting things in my life, even if it was small. I never whined in my journal during this challenge, or wrote about my stress or nervousness. I wrote about the things that made me happy, the moments in which I was uplifted, and the times when I was about to burst with excitement. For this challenge, even if my day seemed to go horribly wrong, I could find at least one thing that I could write about that was positive. The first time it was hard, but after getting in the habit of doing that, I got to the point where I needed to go and write in it when it seemed like everything was going wrong. It made me feel so much better, and it really uplifted my spirits.
Third, Meditation. This part usually happened for me after I was done writing in my journals. I would quiet myself, and become completely present. That meant that I needed to focus on what I was doing at the present moment, not what I needed to do or accomplish later on, and not remembering what I did last week. This is where I would listen for promptings. (Sometimes I would get out a notebook and write down what came to mind.) I would focus for as long as I could, and stay in the moment as long as I possibly could, then I would set off to accomplish the things I needed to that day.
Fourth, Simplify. This happened at many different times for me throughout the day. When you simplify, you set aside one thing and completely focus your whole attention on that one thing. No multitasking here! My simplifying time would usually be at the piano, at ballet, when I wrote, when I read, and when I studied. It really got me out of the habit of doing several things at one time. And it really changed the way I focused in ballet especially. Now, when I walk into the studio, I focus completely on what I need to focus on when I'm dancing, and I leave all the cares of the world behind. This got me into trouble a few times though, because I would automatically forget to talk to my ballet teachers about certain things like payment and questions outside of ballet because I have gotten into the habit of leaving those things behind and focusing on being present. But overall, its really affected my performance within ballet and has really increased how much I get out of it each time I go.
Simplifying doesn't have to be big, it can even be focusing completely on driving, listening to a song, on cooking dinner, or on playing with a little child. Just as long as you give your full attention to something, even if its small, you can simplify.
Fifth, Exercise. This was really important for me, and I didn't realize how much exercising I did each day. It really kept me going. Even if it was playing the piano, or walking up the street, or doing some jumping jacks, it helped me keep my mind going. Exercise kept me uplifted, and became a totally different experience because of the purpose. I was doing it so that I was happy. Not because it was required of me, not because I had to meet a deadline. I was doing it for my joy.
Sixth, Strengths. This was vital and such an amazing experience. I picked one thing each day to focus on that I was good at. I didn't do it in a boastful and arrogant way, I did it to improve myself and that talent that I had. During that time, I didn't criticize myself, I didn't put myself down, I completely focused on what I was good at for that time and I made it fun. It really helped me stay away from unnecessary focus on self-criticism and negative thoughts about myself. It was a huge shield that kept those weights off of my shoulders and allowed me to accomplish my goals and commitments for the day. It helped me write better, it helped me dance, it helped me get out of my comfort zone, and it helped me help others.
As I was writing about the each one, I decided that I cannot afford to stop doing these things. Its absolutely amazing how much I have grown just by doing this, and how much my happiness has grown. There are days where I feel like I am in love, or just bursting with joy because of how much this has affected me.
I challenge the readers to do the Happiness Baseline for a whole month consistently. It will change your life, it will make you happier, and it will change your perspective on things. Its absolutely amazing and I am so happy and grateful that I was able to have this experience. It has really made me feel happier and has helped me heal. I am so thankful for my wonderful friend and mentor who challenged me to do it. It was inspired and has literally changed my life for the better. :) Go out and do it! You will not regret it I promise you!
