Stop, look, go

During a Moof IT morning team meeting, a colleague talked about happiness and ways to achieve it. He gave a link to a presentation about gaining happiness through being grateful.

It got me thinking about my journey and I realised, subconsciously this was partly how I had coped with depression. 

I had stopped thinking about what had caused me to be so down, and started to focus on the opportunities I had been given and taken. How they had helped to provide happiness and a level of contentment I hadn't felt in a long time.

Stop, look. go is what I try to do now. Stop; don't react immediately. Look; what is really happening? Go; choose a way forward that is positive. At its most basic, this gave me the opportunity to avoid doing or saying something I might later regret. Meaning I didn't then have to criticise myself, even if it was just me who thought I had acted badly. This can be applied to any situation, whatever you choose to do is an opportunity to improve the outcome. Which leads to happiness, because you remain in control.

In the video David talks about returning from Africa and having water at the twist of a tap; light at the flick of a switch. They are two things I take for granted, but they give me the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. I have time to ride my bike everyday because of them. I can work because of them. Think about the other parts of your life that give you time to be happy.

Another link he sent was this. Brené says one thing in particular that most resonated with me, courage to be imperfect. I realised as I get older or better at coping with life I had partiacialy embraced this. If people don't like me for who I am, it's not my fault. I don't mean I want to act badly towards them, but there are somethings about me I like, or don't want to change. And that's okay.

Let yourself be seen. You are enough.