Each one of us lives our life in a different way. Each one of us finds pleasure and joy in different ways. We are all unique. We have different passions, experiences, gifts, talents, challenges and obstacles. We all see, hear and view things through a different lens depending on our own set of life experiences. But even though we are all unique, the 5 principles that I am going to introduce to you in this article are universal and can be applied to each and every one of our lives. From my experience working with many different clients, I have found that these 5 simple life-changing rules can increase your level of happiness instantaneously. By following these principles you will feel more freedom, attract more of what you want, appreciate what you have, increase your confidence, feel more alive, peaceful, abundant, energetic and connected.

Look for What’s Right
Many of us automatically look for what is wrong in any given situation or relationship. Some of us tend to focus on our obstacles and problems rather than focusing on what is right in our lives. We are accustomed to finding fault with our bodies, our careers, our relationships, our government, our parents, our children, our friends…. Whatever you focus on, you will find. If you focus on what is wrong, you will find more fault. If you focus on what is right, you will find more joy. Start looking at the blessings instead of the miseries and notice how the world around you changes right before your eyes. When you look at what is right, you will attract more of what you want.

Take Risks
To move forward, achieve our goals and feel alive we need to take risks. This means stepping into the unknown–trying something different and out of the ordinary and doing things that scare you. You can’t feel the deliciousness of life or bring about change if you continue to do the same things over and over again. Taking risks help us to propel forward, feel our vitality and recognize our abilities and our dreams. Move outside your comfort zone, TAKE A RISK and be all that you can be! Feel the fear and do it anyway. You will notice more energy, increased confidence and pure excitement to be alive.

Express and Feel Gratitude
How many times do you say the words “thank you” in a day? How often do you thank your mattress for allowing you to have a good night sleep, or your refrigerator for keeping your food cold, or your car for getting you from place to place? How about your legs for all the thousands of miles they have carried you? How about your eyes for allowing you to see and read this article? We often take for granted the many gifts and miracles we are blessed with in each moment of our lives. Express gratitude and watch the world open up to you. You will notice increased joy, abundance, happiness and acceptance.

Live With Integrity – Speak Your Truth
Have you ever made a choice and then felt guilty or shameful about it afterwards? If you answered “yes”, perhaps you need an integrity check. When we are aligned with our integrity, what we think, what we say and what we do match. Integrity means being honest with ourselves. For example, if you say you want a long term relationship and you continue having one night flings, you are out of your integrity because you are saying you want one thing but your actions are committed to another. If a friend asks you if you like her dress and you say “yes”, even though you think it looks horrible, you are misaligned with your integrity. You are not speaking your truth. Each choice, thought and action has an effect on how we think, feel and view ourselves. When our behaviour, actions and choices are aligned with our commitments and our truth, we stand in our integrity. When your integrity is in alignment you will feel more positive and confident about yourself. You will have more freedom and energy and feel more happiness and peace.

Trust
Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Trust in a power greater than yourself and believe that what ever is happening in your life is happening in perfect sequence and for your highest good. Trust your own inner guidance system and your intuition. Know that everything is available to you. Trust that everything is unfolding perfectly. We try so hard to control everything in our lives that we forget the profound power of having faith and letting go. When you begin to trust that things will work out for your best interest, you will experience a deeper sense of peace and well-being.

This week, I invite you to take a risk and implement at least one these principles for one week and see how the world around you shifts and your level of happiness increases. By applying and living these 5 principles; looking for what’s right, taking risks, being grateful, living in integrity and trusting the process you can be assured a life of full of more happiness, joy and abundance!