Happiness / Contentment Summary to date:

1.  Write in a journal for two minutes about a positive experience you had from the previous day.

2.  List daily 3 things for which you are grateful.  Do not repeat items from previous days.

3.  Love other people

Today’s tip
4.  Daily set aside time from your busy life to study and meditate in a quiet place.  St. Fancis de Sales said that “A half hour of meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy, then a full hour is needed.”  We get so busy trying to make a living we forget to make a life.  It is in the stillness that we find insight, emotional intelligence, clarity and even our overall health improves.

What does this looks like to me?  It’s a two part process.  The first part starts with bible study and prayer.  Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.”  I do this first thing in the morning, but it can be anytime.  By doing it first thing in the morning, however, no other obligation prevents me from doing it.  Currently I’m using “Live Second” as a thought provoker for the day.The second part is to set aside time to read other meaningful books and articles that challenge me with new ideas and information.

Never stop learning.  It has been said that the most successful people in life never stop reading, never stop learning.

Be intentional about your life.  It is far too precious to squander by just hoping good things are going to happen.

Only one more step to go in our quest for Happiness and Meaning.

Tomorrow, in the final installment of this course, we’ll take an in-depth look at how Exercise leads to contentment
You won’t want to miss it,

Here’s to the Journey!

David W. Ball, MD – Internal Medicine Physician and co-founder of Life Changing Fitness,  a Health and Wellness Company for Every Body