8 Principles for Living Each Day with More Contentment and Happiness!



Have you ever climbed into bed wondering, "Where did the day go?" Have you ever felt you were on a treadmill--trying to a "somewhere" that never arrives? In our busy world, we often find ourselves living on auto-pilot with one day blurring into the next.

I have blogged about this before, but it never hurts to repeat great strategies!! Several years ago, I implemented "8 Make Today Matter Life Principles" into my daily routine. These Principles take very little time and are so simple to implement--you could start using them tomorrow if you like. The Principles have allowed me to realize great contentment, happiness and meaning in every day. The days of auto-pilot living have been replaced by purpose-filled living through the application of these "Make Today Matter" Principles.

MTM Principle 1 ~ Good Morning: The first thing I do after opening my eyes each morning is say (aloud or to myself): Something great is going to happen today--I can't wait to see what it is! When I started this practice, it was a bit awkward--perhaps, because I was at a low-point and didn't fully believe the words. I said it anyway. Everyday. Soon after, great things started happening. Why? ... because I was looking for them.

If we awake thinking about stressful events, the tough day ahead, everything we need to get done, we start the day "on defense." We prime our life for a stressful day--we expect it--and we usually find it. Even when little or large blessing bestow us, we often miss them. After all, we aren't look for blessings--we are looking for stress.

Starting my day with this affirmation has proven an effective method for turning my attention to blessings instead of barriers.

MTM Life Principle 2 The 3-Step Action List: Each day, I choose three tasks to complete during the day that will MAKE TODAY MATTER... even if everything else goes astray.

We all know how life can interrupt our well-made to-do lists. Narrowing our focus to three priority action steps helps us focus and prioritize our day. The items on this list needn't be mountains to overcome or extremely time consuming; ... they simply need to MATTER and move us forward.

I began this practice when I realized how busy my life had become. I was always BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! Boy was I busy. What was even more amazing than how busy I was.....is how LITTLE I was getting done! We often confuse BUSYNESS with ACTION! We can be very busy and not move forward.... (just look at a hamster)!

When we carefully choose 3 things that matter each day...we end up with over 1,000 things done each year! Things that matter! How many people can say this confidentially: Last year I completed over 1,000 task that mattered or moved me forward... and I am doing it again this year.

You can have a mile-long to-do list if you like, but mark three things! Stay focused! Life will interrupt and when it does, you will be ready for it!

People often ask--what about when you are sick or not feeling well? I still have a 3 step list. Every single day. On those days, examples of 3 things I might choose to make the day matter and move me forward might be:

1. Take my vitamins
2. Get extra rest!
3. Feel good for taking care of myself.

MTM Life Principle 3 Each Day, LEARN or TRY something new. This "something" can be little. You don't have learn a second language or anything, but each day learn something new, try something new, or see something you have not yet seen.

Examples include learning...
* a new word...
* a piece of trivia...
* see something you haven't seen before on the drive home....
* try driving a different route,
* try a different store,
* try a different recipe,
* try a different type of book,
* read a book on a topic that interests you,
* do something fun--finger paint,
* color
* make a snow angel
* stop and look at the sunset versus walking (or driving) past it
* go stand under a tree in your yard and look at it from below
* make up a constellation, try to find it every night

We often get caught up in the same ol, same ol, and forget about how exciting each day can be (if we let it be)! When we learn, try or see something new, we awaken our senses to gather many of life's riches.

MTM Life Principle 4 ~ Say YES! At least once each day or twice if you are a parent, say YES instead of NO, or I CAN instead of I CAN'T.

NO and I CAN'T have become auto-responses for many of us.

Can you come make a snow angel?
No, I can't.

Can you play a game?
No, I can't.

Can you meet me for dinner?
Sorry, I can't, I'm busy.

While it is good to say NO to those who cross our boundaries, when we are with those in our inner circle, or with our self, we need to let go of these auto-barriers and say YES and I CAN!

I discovered this principle because I actually became tired of hearing myself say "no" to my daughter when she was younger. When she went through her "threes" she would ask if she could do something. I would say "no," on autopilot. She would ask: Why? I didn't have a good answer. Since "NO" didn't seemed to be a good reply, I tried "yes" instead.

By really being present and adding daily spontaneity, my life changed. What a magical world kids (and pets) live in! I was so happy to finally climb down from autopilot world and see that perspective!

TM Life Principle 5 ~ Enhance Your Immediate World: Whenever you leave the house---or come into contact with another person ask yourself: What can I do to make a positive difference?

Leave everything you touch better than when you came into contact with it.

Now, that doesn't mean be a perfectionist, what I mean is, within reason, to leave our special touch. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people walk around and wonder.. "What's in this for me?" Today's high-expectation world is much different than the world of our great grandparents! When we begin looking for opportunities to give back in the littlest ways, we start a ripple effect.

Kindness is contagious--like the "smile syndrome." Have you ever noticed what happens when someone smiles at you? You smile back! This starts a chain. If everyone who read this today smiled at everyone they met (stranger or friends), can you imagine the smiles that would spread in a single day?

We can make the days a bit better through very simple actions. When you check out at the grocery store, instead of digging through your purse or checking your missed calls, why not sincerely engage the cashier? Whenever you pay for something, why not place the money in the person's hand and look them in the eye and smile? When a person is grumpy... why not treat them even better? Resist the temptation to spread the negativity--it's too contagious to let into your life.

MTM Life Principle 6: Do a Nightly "Make Today Matter" check. When you are done with the day... BEFORE climbing into bed, ask yourself-- What is one more thing I can do to make today matter?

Read your scriptures, pray with your family. Email a friend, FOLD THE LAUNDRY!



MTM Life Principle 7: At Night.. Let it All Go!
While you are preparing for bed, think of all the things that happened that were stressful during the day. They have something to teach you-- even if you don't know what it is-- thank them, then LET THEM GO! (Thanking them doesn't mean you like them... and letting go doesn't mean you are happy about them.) Take any upsets and do the same.

Then take all the good things and wonderful things, be thankful for them, write them in your gratitude journal, and then let them go, too! It is VERY important to appreciate, remember, but let go. This allows us to focus fresh each day.

There is a quote, "Never let yesterday use up too much of today." We don't live in the past. When we accept and appreciate each day for everything it is or isn't... and then let it go, we clear ourselves to live fully the next day.

MTM Life Principle 8 - End as You Began
Once you are in bed, imagine yourself waking, saying your affirmation, identifying your intention for the day, moving smoothly throughout the day--feeling confident, feeling beautiful and strong. Imagine yourself handling what needs to be handled, reacting in appropriate ways, handling any stressors with calm assurance. Imagine yourself achieving your goals, interacting with others with happiness and grace.

Studies have shown time and time again that those who visualize the day ahead have a MUCH HIGHER success ration of achieving what they see.


All-in-All:
Living the life we want, living in contentment and happiness begins in our mind, and then in our choices. Each day we can choose auto-pilot or we can choose to enrich our lives. We don't remember days, we remember moments. This Make Today Matter formula helps to turn off autopilot and plant seeds for wonder-filled moments.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!

I know I am late but it has taken a while for me to come up with my resolutions this year so be nice!
* I resolve to take my camera with me!
* I resolve to smile more
*I resolve to say something kind everyday
*I resolve to remember my blessings
*I resolve to get good grades
* I resolve to make some great memories with my family!
*I resolve to have a great YEAR!

OK now the new year can begin!!!

The Power of Prayer.............
I was thinking this morning about the power of prayer in my life. I can even number the many times my prayers have been answered. I am so thankful that we have a Father in Heaven who watches out for us, who knows us, and is willing to help us if we but ask.

I will never take a step backward - sideways, diagonally, up, down, but never back.
A Toyota insert in the June 2005 issue of O Magazine

I was flipping through old magazines while looking for some positive sayings for a goal poster. I came across an insert in the June 2005 issue of "O" magazine that I wanted to share with you. The campaign was done by Toyota under the slogan "Moving forward." In it were three small cards detailing ideas for moving forward and then on the back was space for writing down how you would move forward. One of the cards included the quote above. The other two are: "I will contemplate my own limitations and then exceed them." "I will become my own role model." How empowering each of these statements can be if we don't just read them--but live them.

WOW! I can't believe how times flies!! This past couple of weeks has been crazy, getting settled back into school..............being overwhelmed with my classes................and getting organized into a new year! Thank heavens for holiday weekends,,,,,,,,,,,,,I am really looking forward to this one. Maybe I will get caught up on my blog!!

Create a S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Let's face it... most of us are great at setting goals; in fact, we are goal-setting experts. We have set goals a thousand times or more. What we are not so great at is reaching them. In order to help ourselves reach our goals, we can revisit the basics of a S.M.A.R.T.

To begin, write down your goal for this year and then work through the guidelines below to make sure it is S.M.A.R.T.

The S.M.A.R.T. acronym stands for:
SPECIFIC: Make sure your goal specifically states what you desire to accomplish. "Become healthier," is not a specific goal. "Improve my health by adding one new healthy habit each week for fifty-two weeks," is a specific goal.

MEASURABLE: Make sure your goal can be measured, so that you will know if you have achieved your objective. The above example is measurable, because you can clearly measure whether or not you reach the goal.

ATTAINABLE: Do a soul-search to determine if you have the resources (and energy/attitude) needed to reach this goal during the timeline you set for its completion. If you do not have the resources, make sure to include the process of attaining them within your goal plan.

REALISTIC: Many people take an all-or-nothing approach to goals. A great example is a woman who wants to pursue healthy-lifestyle changes. She sets a goal on January 1: she is going to join a health club, exercise every day, change all her eating habits and give up sweets-- STARTING the next day!

We have to remember that part of any goal is forming new habits, which often means replacing and reprogramming old habits. This doesn't happen overnight. While we might be able to adhere to a schedule like this for a short time, it will be hard to sustain long-term. If you have set up a goal like this, now is the perfect time to revisit it and make a realistic plan.

TIMELY: Make sure to have an end date for your goal. This is what transforms a wish into a goal. Wishes don't have deadlines--goals do! In addition to an end date, identify key milestones at the 25 percent, 50 percent and 75 percent mark to track your progress.

The day after a Marathon!
That's what today feels like! I finished my last final on the 9th of December, then I quickly prepared my home for a reunion of sorts with my high school friends! It was a blast and so great to catch up with these wonderful friends. Then I sprinted into shopping , cleaning, decorating,wrapping and getting ready for our holiday traditions. We had a wonderful time together as a family, I treasure these moments! Christmas Eve was special, we had our traditional birthday dinner for the Savior, then we visited the grave sites of those we miss and love who have passed on. This is a special time for me as we light the luminary by each grave I feel of my Saviors love and am grateful for the knowledge of eternity! We all get into our new pj's and off to bed to wait for the big guy to visit us! He has never let us down!! It was fun to see how my children get into the gift giving scene as they get older. The day was a quiet one as we ate, and played together! I treasure these special days! This past week has been filled with getting organized ( thanks to John and my new phone, I am the organization queen!!) Christmas is put away, and with the help of my family we have put 20 meals already made up in the freezer so this next month making meals in our home with be easier! So yes, I feel like I have run a marathon! And yes, I will sign up to run it again next year!! But, today I am going back to BED!!