Do You Rise and Shine in the Morning or Just Rise?

by Julie Isphording

What if we woke up every morning with the inspiring thought that this very day is going to be the best day of the year? 

What if we start each new, shiny day with no rules, no chaos and no memories of yesterday? 

What if we start this very day with the expectation that we will have one amazing moment, one new learning, one good failure, one remarkable success and four miracles?

Of course, things can get in the way of our “happy day,” but don’t awfulize first thing in the morning. After all, today is a day we have never seen before and will never see again. 

Go ahead and give it your best!

What are four types of wealth? 

• Financial wealth (money) 
• Social wealth (status) 
• Time wealth (freedom) 
• Physical wealth (health) 

Be wary of jobs that lure you in with 1 and 2 but rob you of 3 and 4. 

How can you live a happier and more fulfilling life?

Research shows that happy people try to do one of these things daily:

1. They spend time with someone from which they can learn.

The best conversations in life are initiated by learning about what other people do, how they do it and why they do it. 

2. They forgive themselves.

Forgiveness allows you to look at your mistakes as a part of life, which can provide awesome learning experiences and help you grow as a result. Research shows that forgiveness can help you let go so you can enjoy life to the full. It lightens you up.

3. They are curious about other people.

Curious people have better relationships, connect better and enjoy socializing more. In fact, research shows that other people are more easily attracted and feel socially closer to individuals that display curiosity. 

4. They practice gratitude.

Research indicates that a deep sense of gratitude can increase happiness levels, help reduce anxiety and depression, increase resilience and help you sleep better.

5. They take frequent breaks during the workday.

Hourly five-minute walking breaks boosted energy levels, sharpened focus and “improved mood throughout the day and reduced feelings of fatigue in the late afternoon.” For best results, researchers advise spending break time with others. 

6. They don’t write “to do” lists. They write “to be” lists.

Stop and breathe. Be healthy. Be around your friends and family. Be there for someone and let someone be there for you. Be bold. Just be for a minute.

7. They are naturally optimistic.

Happy people tend to be positive thinkers who don’t get caught up in things they can’t control, like the latest tragedy reported in the news. They put their energy and effort on the things within their power — the things that matter most in life — like their relationships.

8. They are givers.

We grew up hearing that “it’s better to give than to receive.” While that bit of truth may be rooted in religion, it’s also grounded in science. Research shows that the more we invest in others, the happier we can be.

How can you become a morning exerciser?

You meant to log those five miles today, but between family, work and social obligations, it just didn’t happen. The solution? Put fitness first on your agenda. You can accomplish so much before others are even awake. Here’s how to make it a routine: 

• Test the waters: Start with one or two days per week. Knowing you have the other five mornings to snooze makes getting up early less painful. And try to get to bed on time the night before. 
• Lay it out: Set out your clothes, shoes and gear the night before to eliminate excuses and get out the door quickly. Set your coffeemaker on automatic so it’s ready when you wake. And put your alarm across the room — jumping out of bed to turn it off makes it harder to hit the snooze button.
• Make a date: Nothing keeps you from going back to bed like knowing someone’s waiting for you.
• Give it time: All habits feel awkward at first. Since it requires resetting your body clock, morning fitness may require a little longer than most — at least three or four weeks — to sink in. 

What is a significant mistake people make when texting? 

Text messages are notoriously easy to misinterpret. Oftentimes, it’s not the words in the message that cause the receiver to misconstrue the meaning, it’s the punctuation especially with the innocent period.

• Periods can alter the tone of a text. The difference between someone saying, “Funny!” and “Funny,” is dramatic in terms of how it’s interpreted. 
• Periods can add a tone of hostility to short messages. You don’t need to end “one or two-word replies” with a period unless you want to communicate a grave issue. 

Can you laugh it off?

We all mess up from time to time. A straightforward way to boost self-confidence is to accept your imperfections, flaws and failures in stride; and, to remember that mistakes build character. Every rejection or face plant is an opportunity to gain experience, grow, and move on for the next try. Even if you can’t muster a chuckle when you fail, try a little smile.

Olympian Julie Isphording is the director of the Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race, an author and keynote speaker. Her speeches on living a happy life include unforgettable props, lots of laughter and a few tears. Write to her at julie.isphording@gmail.com.