Burt Goldman 's Five Rules of Happiness

Burt Goldman shares these Five Rules of Happiness
1. If you like something, enjoy it.
2. If you don’t like something, avoid it.
3. If you don’t like something and can’t avoid it, change it.
4. If you can’t or choose not to (important distinction there!) avoid or change something you don’t like, then accept it.
5. You accept something by changing your perception of it.
 
In my art studio, I have posted many quotes and concepts to inspire and center me.  The quote above is one of my favorites.  It has five easy, yet profound steps.  We want to make sure that we keep doing the things we enjoy and make time in our busy lives to do things we enjoy.  The second step seems obvious, but if you don’t like doing something, then don’t do.  We need to ask ourselves why do we continue to do something we don’t enjoy, and if we can stop doing it, then by all means, don’t do it any longer. 
 
One of the things that I came to realize is that there is a finite amount of time in the day and I can’t do everything or be with everyone.  I decided what was most important to me and was focusing on spirituality and creativity. Now, I spend my time and energy getting together with friends who enhance life spiritually and creatively. I now say NO to those activities that don’t enrich my spiritualty and creativity. It is important to look at your life and see what you can eliminate.
 
But, there are things in life that we can’t avoid.  I know that it is important to go to the Dentist every six months; I can’t change that.  Okay, I could change that and not go, but I don’t want gum disease.  I love the important distinction that Goldman points out – I get to choose.  So many times in life, we feel that we don’t have a choice, but we actually do.  I now have changed my perception of going to the Dentist.  I no longer dread or fear it, but now look at it as a time to practice mindfulness.  I practice my breathing techniques while I am there.  I see that the universe is giving me time to practice deep breathing and relaxing my body.  Plus, I really love my dental hygienist and Dentist, so I get to hear what is going on in their lives which is very uplifting. Changing my perception makes the situation much better.
 
How can you employ Goldman’s Five Rules of Happiness in your life?

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