Happiness is a choice – soul share
Amanda StansfieldToday’s post is a deep soul share, one I hope many of you can resonate with and find inspiration in.
Can you honestly say you are happy? When things don’t necessarily go your way do you see the goodness in all the clutter? Can you find peace within yourself and in the world around you?
Happiness is something I’ve struggled with for the past 20 years. I never felt depression or anxiety until my 2nd daughter was born – it was after her 2nd seizure. I remember thinking is this going to be her life. That thought scared me to death. The fear of unknown took over as I helplessly watched my innocent baby have seizure after seizure. After numerous doctor visits and seeing multiple doctors and specialists each with their own opinion we still had no answers. My days were becoming darker and I felt myself disconnecting from my friends and my career.
I was working as a makeup artist and travelling all over the world – on the outside my life looked great, I made good money, I got to travel to exotic and interesting places, I worked with beautiful, creative and powerful people from all walks of life. Yet inside I was crumbling. Each day I’d kiss my little girl goodbye and wonder if it was my last kiss. At work, I’d wonder if today was the day I’d get a call saying she was back in the hospital, or worse.
Living a holistic lifestyle
I can look back and confidently say what held me together was my passion for living a healthy and holistic lifestyle. I never binge ate, I wasn’t a big drinker or partier, and I got a decent amount of sleep (depending on my daughters seizures). Being vegan I ate a healthy diet (or so I thought) and I moved my body every single day.
Exercise has always been a passion of mine and and has been a daily part of my routine. Keep in mind this was 20+ years ago and boutique gyms were not a thing and yoga wasn’t mainstream. One day after sharing a sweaty spin class with a girlfriend she introduced me to yoga thinking it might be good for my “stress”. I didn’t have much knowledge of what yoga was so I thought what the heck I’ll give it a try.
My wake up call
After my first class I was immediately hooked. Yoga gave me the deep burn I craved from working out, but it also provided me with much deeper and meaningful benefits – meditation and mindfulness.
During the last 10 minutes of class I was forced into quiet time with myself – something I rarely practiced. I was taught to face my deepest fears head on – which for years I had buried deep inside of me for fear of feeling the pain. And I was reminded to see beauty in every situation – both the good and the bad.
This wake up call allowed me to enjoy being a mom again. It reminded me to be present and start living vs. waiting for another seizure to occur. I started to enjoy hearing my daughters giggles again. I allowed myself to see life through her eyes and not through a lens of fear.
Life is magnificently beautiful if you choose to see it that way
Mindset
- Commit to being 100% present. At home with your family turn off social media.
- Put your phone down and engage in deep meaningful conversations.
- Be part of nature without technology, better yet leave your phone at home and open your eyes wide to the infinite beauty and healing opportunity nature provides.
- Breathe. Allow moments of stillness and quiet where you can switch off and connect with yourself.
- Shift your negative self talk, I call her negative Nellie, into words of encouragement and optimism.
- Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help, when in doubt reach out to a friend, confidant or professional.
Being happy is a choice you can make! You can choose to surround yourself with an uplifting and incredibly supportive tribe. You can choose to nurture your body with delicious nutritious foods and you can shift your mindset to one of happiness.
Stop chasing happiness!
Happiness is already inside you, you just need to choose it. The following are 3 simple practices I do every single day and each step is critical for recognizing what happiness means to you.
- Count your blessings and be grateful for what you already have.
- Find passion, what turns you on? What truly lights you up?
- How can you increase the happiness in someone else’s life? When you give, or serve others, you automatically are filled with an incredible sense of pleasure. How cool is that?
I speak passionately now on the importance of a holistic lifestyle to thousands of parents and caregivers all over the world. In my Total Wellness coaching programs I share more about my journey and how to redefine what true happiness is. My past struggles are why I am dedicated to helping others who have experienced darkness in some form and need guidance. I am here to help you completely transform the relationship you have with yourself. I am here to help you reach your highest potential and create the life you deserve!
Side note: Stella is now 20 (pictured above). She has seizures almost daily, but leads a full and vibrant life to the best of her ability. And it is because of my deep belief in choosing to be happy each and every day I am no longer controlled by the intensity and sadness of her disease.
Do you have a favourite way to manifest true happiness in your life? Be sure to let me know and share all your ideas with a friend who might need a gentle nudge! I’d love you to pin this on Pinterest or share it on Facebook. Post on Instagram. (tag me @achampagneyogi, #achampagneyogi)!
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XO