10 Steps to Happiness - Get Started Today

{and a Fab Freebie Texture to Share}

mouse over to see the before

Hello my friends.... back with a little texture love....and of course to announce the Texture Tuesday Garden Party winners.....

But first...... 

I know I come to this space and share the beauty in my life... the good stuff... and truly that's what I want this site to be.... But, I recognize life can be difficult and it's not all 'pretty pictures', 'white paint' and 'roses'! Believe me... I know it!

So today, I wanted to reach out....  

if you are feeling down...things aren't going your way... your creativity is flat, you hate your job, your house is a mess, your car is broken, your kids are driving you mad, maybe life seems completely hopeless.....I understand...I've been there.... and I know it's hard. Honest I do!

But there is one thing we can all do... Right Now.  We can choose to be be HAPPY. Even if this means taking baby steps to that choose... it's doable... Truly it is.....Trust me!   

Ten ways to Live a Happier Life.

{Tried and Tested by Moi}

1. Choose to be happy in this very moment. Stop right now...and make the choose!

2. Choose to be grateful. No matter the circumstances there are gifts to be found. Choosing gratitude can completely change our lives.

3. Start GIVING. Yep, no matter how tight things are....how much you are hurting... start giving what you wish to receive. It doesn't have to be money or things. It can be kindness, listening to someone ...really hearing them.... Good stuff like that. Wouldn't it be nice to be heard, to be loved, to be cared for.... put it out into the world and it will come back to you.

4. Clear a space in your home or office... just a little one to begin with. Maybe a drawer, or the kitchen counter top, or your bedside table...then maybe tomorrow you can clear another. Perhaps you need to clear a space in your heart, let something or someone go. Take some time to consider this. Sometimes we need to clear the way for happiness to move in.

5. Begin to identify the negative thoughts as they come in. Stop them in their tracks....counteract them with a positive thought. Little by little you will feel a change in your life.

6. Forgive someone. Yep, letting go of hurt can be a huge step toward happiness.

7. Be a list maker. Start by making a list of the GOOD in your life... right now!

8. Acknowledge your accomplishments. Stop beating yourself up for past mistakes or poor choices. I know you've done some FAB things in your life. CELEBRATE THEM. Let go of the shoulda, coulda and what ifs..... Release them! 

9. Perform random acts of kindness as often as you can. 

10. Start a gratitude list TODAY.   

Trust me...take these steps and before you know it your life may be different. More hopeful.... like the before and after of today's photo... a fabulous transformation......

.....

So let's talk about that texture..... today's texture is called 'subtly yours'..... and I used it on the window box image above.....

 

I decided to share the link in today's post, rather than via email ....

Click HERE to download today's freebie.

Enjoy!

And finally, let's get on with the TT Garden Party winners.

1. Essentials eCourse Scholarship winner: Entry 179 - Wini

2. 4 Month Test Kitchen Membership: Entry 197 - Erika (gashuttergirl)

3. The entire Studio Collection winner: Entry 154 - Cathy Mendola

Thank you all so much for playing!! Congrats Ladies.... Please contact me to collect your 'prize'....

I hope to see you all on Tuesday for another Texture Tuesday Party.....

Be Happy....my friends.....

xxo,

p.s. Test Kitchen Members...I'm working on the video for today's image edit....  I will have it up tomorrow. Stay tune..... 

Comments

[Pamela Schafer]

Kim, thank you for your words of encouragement! I have found those very same steps to be true in my own life. Thank you for this lovely new texture! I would love to enter some of your photography challenges, but am in awe of the pictures I see. I don't dare venture out at this point!;) Perhaps someday I will have the confidence... Big Hugs

[vicky]

Very nice texture, Kim! As always! Thanks for sharing your talent!

[Ania]

Love your list Kim, I copied it and saved for a rainy day and plan to send it to both of my daughters :) Fabulous texture, it's really deicate and subtle - can't wait to try it, thank you! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend... the weather is so glorious here :)

Congrats to the winners of those fantastic prizes!

[Roxi]

Will you be teaching your 'Art of Textures' any time soon? I and a friend would love to take it.

[Melinda]

Thank you Kim for this wonderful post!!! I really needed this! Love this texture as well.
Have a beautiful day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

[Vicki]

This is so beautiful and so very thoughtful of you, Kim! You're the best. xo

[Pam Jones]

What a lovely post Kim, and thank you for another wonderful texture,
and congratulations to the lucky girls on your wonderful prizes,

Pam Jones

[Lisa Bivona]

Thanks so much, Kim...for everything, but today, especially the 10 ways, list! We just need to be reminded once in awhile!

Lots of goodness,
Lisa

[Marcie]

Love the list!!! It's so true - happiness is a 'choice'...and you've said it perfectly!!!

[Olga]

What a miraculous transformation on that simple image! Just fabulous. Thanks for the texture and the "recipe of happiness" - how true. :)

[Amy]

Have you been looking in my window? Thank you so much for the encouraging words. . . much needed today!
Lovely texture as well!

[Rachelle]

A beautiful texture and I appreciate that you've taken the time to add the tips... I'll be testing them out today ;) Blessings to you.

[Su Hall]

Rules to live by! Thank you for this particular post on this particular day. I needed it. Blessings to you!

Su

[Karen]

Another beautiful texture; thanks so much!

[deb christensen]

you feed our creativity and sooth our souls, all in one post! you are fabulous! thank you!

[Traci]

Thank You SOOOO Much!!! Your work is Simply FANTASTIC!!!!

[Sheila R]

Really needed the 10 ways today. Thank you for the tips and texture!

You really lifted my spirits.

[Sue@MyArtsDesire]

Kim, What a soul-gratifying, heart-uplifting, truth-dripping, encouragement-inspiring post! You are such a class act. Thank you as well for the beautiful texture. {add generously-giving to the first sentence too!} Xo, Sue

[diane stanley]

thanks for the free texture and congrats to the winners

[Audrey]

Thank you for the texture and the words to live by. Both are beautiful!

[Emily]

Thank you Kim for your uplifting message ~ exactly what I needed to hear right now! I am copying your "10 Ways to Live a Happier Life" and taping them to my computer as a daily reminder.

Peace & Blessings,
Emily.

[Jenni Connolly]

Thank you for the texture Kim, it's a beauty.
Thanks also for the list... We all need these reminders sometimes when life gets us frazzled and out of step with the right kind of path, ... It's a reminder I will be putting somewhere to see on a daily basis.
Jenni

[Joy B]

Beautiful texture, Kim! Thanks so much for this and the sagacious words of wisdom!
Love your blog!
XoXoXo
Joy

[Celeste]

Kim, you never cease to amaze me with your words of wisdom! I admit I rarely get a chance to log on to your blog anymore, it's been awhile and tonight when I did, well... let's just say, God must have known I needed to hear what you wrote! Thank you for that! You've blessed me!

[Diana Frey]

Thanks, Kim, for the reminder on some of the ways to create happiness in our lives, the gorgeous photos and yet another wonderful texture. You are such a kind, generous soul.....thank you!!
Hugs
Diana

[Shelly Frische]

What a nice e-mail to open up this Sunday evening after hours of graduation parties. Thank you sooo much!

[Erika]

What a wonderful list. Need to print it out and refer to it often. Thank you, Kim, for all the wonderful inspiration and the freebies each week. Looking forward to spending the next 4 months in the Test Kitchen and just absorbing every bit that I can. Thank you for the wonderful weekly link-up - it really gets me to work on my images and share them rather than just let them sit on my computer. Congrats to the other lucky winners.

[Tavia]

That was so sweet Kim ♥ I appreciate that!

[kelly]

Calling a friend right now and reading her this list! Thanks for sharing your wisdom. :)

[Dianne]

Just what I needed to read. Love what you write and love your work!
Thank you!

[rani]

thank you yet another gorgeous one! ANd I love the happy list! It's is indeed nice to be reminded that we can choose to be happy!

[Vianna]

If anyone is interested in self-improvement, here's a book that help me work through some issues:
"Living Your Unlived Life" by Robert A. Johnson & Jerry M. Ruh. It was published in 2007 so you can get it at most libraries - the exercises following each chapter are helpful and doable.

And thank you Kim for another lovely texture - one of these days I'll get up a little courage & enter a photo challenge.
I'm a programmer - not exactly the artsy type (:-(

[Lorena]

Thanks very much for this amazing texture. It made the biggest of differences in your own example! You'd never know it was the same photo. Also, I am grateful for the reminders about Choosing Happiness and Being Grateful. Thanks for all of it.

[Nikki]

Kin, thanks for your wonderful words of wisdom and for sharing another beautiful texture.

[Jacqueline]

Thank you for your words - i'll try some of the things you wrote about today! :-)

[fee]

you are amazing!!!
:-)
thanks for all!!!

[kellytonks]

Thank you so much!!

[Nancy Wyatt]

Love your post and thanks so much for the texture! So glad I found you! Hugs from Conroe, TX!

[Sylvia]

Hello Kim,
A while ago I came across your 'Sweettart' texture, so beautiful, thanks for sharing !
I've made a card in Paint Shop Pro, using this texture as background.
You can see the result on my blog, I've posted about it today.
Thanks for those great tips to be happy !
Wish you a nice week,
Sylvia

[Sylvia]

I forgot to mention my blog ...
Sylvia

[charlotte wilson]

Kim,
You are so sweet,encouraging and generous with your time and talents. Thank you so much for lifting me up today.

May God bless you and your family,

charlotte

[debi]

Thank you Kim, for your kind comment on my (http://debisphotoblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/project-64-salmon.html) post. You asked what texture I used...I'm afraid I used the sooc not wearing glasses and didn't focus well feature of my camera. Your photos are amazing and since I am just learning to get intentional effects with my photos, I'm looking forward to following your example.

[Geri]

Congrats to all the winners and yes happiness is a choice. If you think you have nothing to give, you can always give a word of praise!

[Lisa@Advent's Fine Adventures]

Okay, have you been watching me this wee? . I have been feeling kind of down...It's funny too because I work very hard at staying positive. I really do. :)

I love your list. I really love number 4 and 7. Tomorrow I'm going to clean off that desk of mine. I home school and you know what? It is getting over whelming ~ maybe your right. There is a huge mess on my desk. I am sure that cleaning it off will help. Thank you!

I followed you here after reading the post Becky From Life with Kaishon wrote about you. What a post! I love it. :) and I learned so much about myself in the pages of your story. I feel like I'm just starting and most of my kids are older 19,16,14 and soon to be 5 :) .

I have never tired texture but I just may. I'm a new follower so I'll be back. Love your blog and your work. :)

lisa

[ReneeMK]

LOVE your list of things to do, I agree. Beautiful texture, again!

[wini]

Hi Kim, thank you, thank you, thank you for selecting me!!! I'm so excited that I'm doing a happy dance!! YAY!! Wini xo

[wini]

Hi Kim, thank you, thank you, thank you...!!! I'm so excited that I'm doing a happy dance!! YAY!! Wini xo

[Lorraine Lewis]

this is a beautiful post Kim- I love it and I love you too. You are a wonderful example of kindess.
Thank you for the goodness you share.
xo
Lorraine

[Cindi]

Love the post!
Love the texture!
Thanks so much for all the inspiration!

[fotogran]

You've done it again - you've made me stop and take stock of my life with your inspiring 'to do' list. Thank you for that and for all the 'gems' that you post on your site. Especially thanks for the wonderful textures you so generously share and the inspiration to do more with photographs and take them to a different level. I so enjoy seeing your beautiful images as well as what the KK community post every week.