Reflect and consider where you are at on your “Misery to Merriness Meter” and the cause of that. What are 1-3 words to move into a happier place, words to change life. Awareness is great. Taking action is what makes a difference. If you can reduce your focus to a few words it gives you a simple structure to take action continuously and repetitively. Change is inevitable and the shift is amazing.

Today I am republishing this post from years ago with much needed edit. Also, I am adding a word for myself and that is WILL. I will put pen to the paper, paint to the canvas, and seeds to the soil. Will things to happen. This is the taking action with confidence that produces results. Getting past procrastination, negativity, perfectionism … all that.

Several years ago I started one practice and stopped another. Interesting how my “better and less” philosophy always resonates. I have been using two words, SENSE and WAIT. I can feel better on a dime when at any moment I ask myself to SENSE, to actually hear, see, feel, smell where I am at. For me it is genuinely beautiful as I enjoy so much more in this pause. I made a wrong turn and parked farther than necessary but my walk took me past beautiful vines on a path I would have never seen. Put the pause on dismay and instead be open to what you may be learning or experiencing due to the detour. Even when not on a detour, I pause to sense more and more often as I practice mindfulness.

Another Word to Change LIfe

The other word that is letting me off the hook of unnecessary responsibility and little gain, is WAIT. Instead of feeling responsible to carry conversations or continuing to try to be heard when I am unheard …. WAIT I ask myself, Why Am I Talking. I love to enliven good connections and beneficial progress in group settings by initiating conversation and am happy to but do so but …. less often now. Selectively, only in conditions of love, respect, and mutual connection. There are other situations as well where I find WAIT actually brings more pep to my step as I breeze through awkward or aggravating moments pleased to WAIT! Eureka!

So what are your words to change life? Where are you on your merry to miserable meter compared to awhile back? What words are working? Is there a new word to help you fulfill your dreams, rise above, or get past stagnation?