8 Ways to Cultivate Happiness for Your Loved Ones

The most important gift we can give our loved ones is the gift of our
own happiness. There will never be a time where every last detail of
your life is perfect. So, why not go ahead and be thankful now?  And why
not share what you’ve learned about happy living with your loved ones?

We all need “that person” at some time or another. I go through phases
where I’m very hard on myself for not being as present as I’d like to be
in everyone’s lives, for not making more money, for not being able to
stand on my head – you name it. When I do this, I’m robbing myself of
the joy that the present moment has to offer. It can be a never ending
cycle if you let it.  I’m so thankful for my family and friends for
keeping me afloat when I feel like I’m sinking. 

Through good times and bad, here are eight ways to exude positivity and hope for your family and inner circle.

Be the voice of reason. When things get tough, someone
needs to keep a balanced perspective to avoid things being blown out of
proportion. Yes, things can seem like they can’t get any worse, but
remind yourself and those around you that stormy and sunny days come and go and we need to make peace with them both.

Be mindful of your body language. Just the simple act of smiling
will boost not only your own mood but those around you. I’m a big
advocate for hugging, too. There’s nothing like a bear hug to remind you
that you are loved and everything is going to be okay. Also, when
someone is talking to you, take the time to look them in the eye and nod
and show them that you’re present and engaged and that they matter.

Focus on the present. For many of us, it’s extremely difficult to move on from the past and not worry about the future. But what about what is happening right now?
When you remind others of all there is to be thankful for in the
present moment, they may not want to hear it, but at least you are
planting a seed that will hopefully grow within them.  If the present
moment is not so great, remind them that they do have people who love
and care about them to help them get through it.

Point out the silver lining. Whether we are able to see it or not, there is a reason and a season for
everything. Teach your loved ones to look beyond the obvious and find
the lesson. For some of us this comes more naturally than others, so use
your voice to help the people you care about from focusing on all the
negatives.

Avoid extremes. We all have good and bad days. But you
know how some people are like Jekyll and Hyde and you never know what
attitude you’re going to get? Yeah, don’t be one of those people. Try to
stay to yourself when you’re feeling under the weather. Likewise, be
tolerant and understanding of others when they’re in a bad mood. When
you can’t stay to yourself, try to self-soothe
through whatever outlet works for you. It also helps to feed off of the
energy of people who are uplifting and give off positive vibes. 

Make observations without criticism.
When people ask you for your opinion about their situation, it’s
important to practice honesty with compassion. Yes, they want your
honest perspective but most of us are already hard enough on ourselves
than anyone else could be. Sometimes the truth hurts enough all by
itself without any extra punch added to it.

Be forgiving. Don’t hold grudges.
With relationships – romantic, family, and friendships – things go
down. People don’t see eye to eye. Harsh words are said. Promises are
broken. Betrayal occurs. And yet holding on to all of the resulting
negative feelings simply prolongs all of it.

Be generous without expecting anything in return. We
all like to be appreciated, but some people crave it to the point where
they essentially take on a victim mentality. Or they become resentful
when they feel unacknowledged. When you sense this in your loved ones,
remind them that the gift is in the giving.