Have you ever heard that quote “happiness is a choice?” For years this quote offended me because I felt it meant that being happy was such an easy thing to do. After years of studying the philosophy of yoga and practicing its teachings, I learned that yes, being happy is a choice, but that it does takes effort. Good news is that there are specific things we can do to be happy or, more importantly, to find contentment with what is.
Santosha* is the yoga practice of feeling content and gratitude. Santosha encourages us to cultivate a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. It invites us to realize that what we have, are and feel is already enough. To see the good in our lives and learn to be grateful for our lives the way they are right now.
So how do we do that? Keep in mind that every action we take, large and small, produces a result. Utilizing this karmic law, we can understand that adding small, positive habits to our daily lives will move us towards happiness. Everything we do---every thought, word or deed—impacts our lives and the lives of those around us. So, let’s carefully choose our thoughts, words and deeds!
Here are a few small habits that have made a huge difference in my life:
Meditating each morning helps to clear my mind of clutter and negative thoughts.
Mentally making a list of the things in my life that I appreciate helps evoke feelings of enoughness.
And lately, I’ve been filling my brain with inspiring quotes. A few positive thoughts in the morning gives me that boost to jump start my attitude, starting the day in a lovely way.
Reading uplifting quotes inspired me to compile some of my favorite ones and put them in my OM Matters app. Now, after my morning meditation I’ll jump onto the OM Matters app and randomly select a quote to read. I silently repeat the quote a few times to let it settle into my mind. Then I write it down on a post it and place it where I will see it so I can reflect on it throughout my day. Also, if I feel negativity during the day, I will pause, take a few deep breaths and repeat the quote in my head.
Here is one of the quotes to help you get your day off to a great start:
I truly hope these ideas motivate you to create some small, yet powerful habits of your own!
For more inspiring quotes, click the link below to download my FREE OM Matters app:
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There are 50 additional quotes to bring a smile to your face and light up your mood.
This free app also has a set of yoga practice cards and articles based in the teaching of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. Plus, there are corresponding journal exercises that offer specific ways for you cultivate inner peace and happiness.
*Santosha is one of the self-care habits within the niyamas, the second limb of Pantanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga.
