As a reader of this blog, you may have noticed the tagline in the page header: One man’s journey where diet + exercise + health + wellness = happiness. This is the theme for my life that I have adopted after weight loss surgery. To me, happiness is something that comes along when I work on diet, exercise, health and wellness. I often tell people that when I set out on my weight loss journey I never envisioned happiness being the prominent theme in my life that it is.
Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to see runner’s crossing the finish line at the Akron Marathon. As I sat in CanalPark I witnessed many celebratory events as people crossed that line. Some may have been relay runners, others ½ marathoners and some full marathon runners. The distance was irrelevant. They each reached a level of achievement that brought them great happiness (and for many, aches and pains). It also brought me happiness when I got to see Mike, Brian and Chuck, my fellow bariatric buddies, cross that line completing the full marathon. To Brian, Chuck and Mike and the other runners, happiness took the form of completing a physical challenge.
Just this past weekend I participated in a hiking spree hosted by our county metro parks. My local bariatric support group has organized a series of hikes to encourage our members to complete this fall hiking spree and be active. Although the hike was only 1.4 miles and not 26.2 miles, there was that moment of happiness as we completed the hike. For some of these hikers, this was their first experience in the parks and hiking. The sense of accomplishment brought happiness to these newbie hikers.
The question I have to ask you is, “What is the key to happiness in your life?”
For me, it is indeed about being active, particularly cycling, and enjoying the outdoors. I changed my diet to a healthier diet. These life changes in diet and exercise resulted in a substantially improved health and feeling of wellness.
Happiness has different meanings for each of us. There is a good chance that it is not about diet, exercise, health and wellness for you. You are most likely motivated by other factors in your life. The challenge each of us faces is uncovering our personal motivators. I uncovered mine when I built my wellness vision. As the year comes to a close, I am revisiting my vision and updating it for the coming year. I recognize that my vision changes over time Just as I change; I find that my life experiences drive me in new directions. It’s only natural that my vision should challenge and guide me in the direction I strive to travel.
A recent tweet I followed led me to an excellent web page on the Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living web site. This couple does a fine job of speaking to improving life and enjoying it to the fullest. The page referenced in the tweet, 27 Healthy Habits of Happiness, is a great place to start exploring what happiness means to you. I’ll let you go to their web site and read the details. Below is the list of the 27 habits to whet your appetite. They are very diverse and thought provoking. There is no better time than today to begin this journey.
27 Healthy Habits of Happiness
Marc and Angel Hack Life
- Look for happiness in the right places.
- Acknowledge the lesson is every situation.
- Be authentic. Be true to yourself.
- Move your thoughts beyond obstacles.
- Focus on what’s right.
- Be a part of something you believe in.
- Use personal strengths to get things done.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Avoid negativity and negative people.
- Appreciate the things you already have.
Read the rest of the 27 Healthy Habits of Happiness at Marc and Angel Hack Life.