Cultivating Your Happiness: Ignite Your Light

Last week, I met with my life coach, Gabrielle Bernstein, and we talked about the importance of being able to ignite one’s own light a.k.a. cultivating your own happiness. She encourages “hanging out in the light.” In other words, when your ego tries to convince you that your self worth comes from external validation, like a romantic partner, prove it wrong by “flipping on one of your other light switches.”

So, this week I’ve been thinking about what ignites my light. Of course, my friends and family do, especially my boyfriend David. Yet, he’s not my only light switch. I wouldn’t want to burden him with that.

Why Is Cultivating Your Happiness Important?

In 2020, only 14 percent of adults claimed they felt happy. This number was down from 30 percent in 2018. Statistics from 2016 show that the Nordic countries – Finland, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands – were among the happiest in the world. Those countries with more wealth and health seem to report higher life satisfaction and higher happiness ratings.

Furthermore, studies show that the more you do to create feelings of well-being, the more positive emotions you’ll feel and the happier you’ll be. When you feel happier, you attract more of the right people, experiences and opportunities into your life. Thus, being happier involves training your brain to be more positive. Some common ways to do so include expressing gratitude, nurturing relationships, living in the moment, helping others and being of service and practicing self care.

Moreover, here are some of the ways I find happiness on a personal level.

How about you?

Ideas for Creating Happiness

• Running
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Institute for Integrative Nutrition
• Blogging
• Volunteering
• Dinner/Drinks with girlfriends or Game Night with the girls
• Journaling/ Morning Page
• The beach
• Cooking and Baking
• Live music
• Reading and Book Club
• Manis/Pedis

How are you cultivating your happiness? What ignites your light? Make a list and honor it.

The light is within each of us. Find it and let it shine!