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5 ways to live more happily in 2010

Often we think we need something from others to make us feel happy. But acts of kindness, generosity and love can actually make you feel really great about yourself. Here’s 5 ideas to get you started…

When you’re having a busy or bad day, having someone do something nice for you can make it seem half as hard. Ever had someone buy you a hot chocolate when you were out of money, or give you a hug exactly when you needed it?! By seeing a need, big or small, and doing what we can to alleviate it we can help spread a spirit of generosity that’ll infect and affect the whole world! Or at least our corner of it.

Why do it?
It’s one thing to give someone a present on their birthday, or to flick the homeless guy on your street a dollar every now and then - it’s another thing to live generously all the time. It’s actually pretty hard!

Living generously is more than doing things to help people when it’s easy for us, or because we know we’ll get something out of it. It can involve going out of our way for people who don’t appreciate it, or giving without getting anything back. So why do it? If there’s nothing in it for us, why bother putting ourselves out there for other people?

I guess it’s the idea that if by living generously we inspire even a few people to do the same, we can make the world a better place. It may sound idealistic, but why not give it a go?!

Here are our top five tips for living happily, 24/7: 

1. Start small. It’s easy to feel powerless to help, thinking about all the crappy stuff people have to deal with in life. Don’t feel overwhelmed - start small! Look at your own group of friends, family and community first and go from there. 

2. Give love! The new girl’s sitting by herself again, you haven’t seen your nana in a month… sometimes the biggest thing you can do for someone is be their friend! Your nana might like the chocolates you gave her, but maybe she’d prefer to hang out! 

3. Do what you’re good at. We all have different things we’re good at and love to do - why not use those things to make a difference? Good with kids? Why not offer to babysit for a family that can’t afford 
to pay? Like animals? Why not volunteer at your local SPCA? 

4. Think about yourself. What gives you a boost when you’re having a bad day? A smile from a stranger? A delicious treat when you’re tired? Often it’s the little, thoughtful things people do that help the 
most. Spread the love! 

5. Go out of your way. Taking the time to talk to someone when you’re busy, shopping with your little sister instead of hanging out with your bestie, cleaning up a mess you didn’t make… living generously can be inconvenient - but the effect is worth it!

I really think that, by living a generous life and being open and giving of our time, our love and our belongings, we not only make a huge difference in other people’s lives, we make a huge impact on ourselves too! We become less selfish, more loving, and our friendships with people grow as a result.

By opening our hearts and actively looking for ways to help each other out we can inspire other people to live generously as well. Give it a go! 

Check out more Positive You articles

 

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