Do you ever have "those" days?
You know, the ones where the shine seems to have gone off life, or maybe you had an exciting thing happen and now you have the letdown blues? Maybe everything is going wrong, or seems to be.
Sometimes this can result in getting very down on yourself, and your self esteem can suffer. Add to that the terrible feed of awful news that surrounds us, and it is easy to feel like life is doomed sometimes.
People are wired to notice terrible things, it is all part of our ability to notice and react to stress, the old fight or flight response. A survival technique, we are exquisitely aware of the terrible, the threatening, and the scary things in life.
We also experience all the feelings and that is how it should be, but sometimes with the enormity of all the terrible awful things that happen every day, you can feel like there is no light left in the world.
It is important to put some mute buttons on the news to minimize your exposure to the terror and the tragic, and open your eyes and look around to see the small beautiful details of your every day life experiences. There is so much wonderful in the world and you need to be sure to notice it.
Here are 10 things to do, see, notice and feel -- that tell you life is beautiful.
1) Waking up in the morning -- you are here, you are alive, you have this day.
2) The face of someone you love -- there is nothing better.
3) Having something to do -- having purpose every day makes life meaningful.
4) Nature -- sunshine, moonshine, flowers, a gentle breeze, trees, animals.
5) Music -- it lifts your soul.
6) Hugs -- hugging someone increases your feel good chemicals.
7) Exercise -- moving your body makes it happy.
8) Kindness -- taking a moment to do one small thing for someone else.
9) Taking a stand -- stand up for something you believe in and use your voice.
10) Love -- loving a person, job, book, hobby, animal, film -- fill yourself up with your passions.
It is important to have an awareness of the world, and to know what is happening so you can be an engaged part of the global community, encourage advocacy and a voice for change against the tragedy of human kind. However to thrive in life it is also important to notice your particular here and now. The way the birds call when they wake, the wind as it rustles through the trees, the warmth of your bed at night, your lover's embrace, the food on your table and a place to call home.
Reminding yourself that life is beautiful helps to improve the quality of your life and those you come into contact every day. It also helps you to take a stand and go into battle for the things you believe in and make changes in our world.
Be brave, be connected, but also be present. Life really is beautiful.
Adapted from an original post on www.recycledinteriors.org
Helen is a blogger, social media consultant, writer and coach in Adelaide Australia. Sign up for her e courses, tips and inspiration, and read the daily blog at www.recycledinteriors.org.
HuffPost's GPS for the Soul app is based on two truths about human beings. First: We all have a centered place of wisdom, harmony and balance within us. Second: We're all going to veer away from that place, again and again and again. What we need is a great course-correcting mechanism -- a GPS for the Soul -- to help us find our way back to that centered place, from which everything is possible.
Because no one knows better than you what helps you de-stress and tap into that place of peace inside yourself, it's important for you to create your very own GPS guide -- a personalized collection of whatever helps you course-correct. Email us at GPS@huffingtonpost.com and we'll set you up with your very own HuffPost blogger account to share your guide on the site. If you're already a blogger, we encourage you to upload your personal guide today. We can't wait to see what you have to share.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.