Inviting Happiness

Copyright Justus H Lewis, PhD January 2006 This article may be reproduced provided that this acknowledgement is included together with a link back to www.transformasia.com.au.

Dear friends and colleagues,

At some point over the past 12 months I decided that the tagline for Transformasia should be ‘Inviting happiness’. This reflects a shift in focus towards a lesser emphasis on doing and a greater emphasis on being in my personal life journey. In a world of so much unhappiness I sometimes wonder if it is presumptuous to suggest that happiness should be invited. Yet if not happiness, then what?

Unhappiness?

Surely not.

The message of inviting happiness has come to me from many sources over the last few weeks and so I’d like to share some of these insights as an invitation to you for the coming year.

Firstly, do less of what doesn’t serve you.

Start by identifying a couple of the things that you don’t really enjoy or that are not giving you an appropriate return for your time and energy. These could be on a personal level or to do with your business. As part of a review of my business that I did as part of a mastermind group I belong to, I made a list of all the things that I felt it was time to let go of. When I finished my list, I spent a moment or two recognizing that these activities had all played a valuable part in my life but that it was now time to be grateful for the various lessons they had all contributed, to let them go and move on. The relief was enormous.

Secondly, invite into your life more of what does serve you. Resolve to do more of the things you enjoy and that regenerate you and to do them on a regular basis.

I find it very nurturing to be outside in the fresh air where I can be amongst trees and hear the birds. So I am writing this on my laptop outside under the newly constructed pergola, looking out into the back garden where I can admire the mature trees that surround the property, breathe in fresher air and listen to birdsong, pigeons cooing, the raucous of the crows ...

Another priority I have acted on is to arrange to go for a weekend break during January. With the demands of a small business it is only too easy to always postpone the break because there is always something that needs to be done. However, I found myself saying to myself, ‘Justus, I am sick and tired of hearing you talk about taking regular breaks. Either do something about it or shut up and agree to be a workaholic for the rest of your life‘. Shortly after this epiphany, an opportunity presented and I made the booking and sent my deposit.

And thirdly, listen to your heart and act on what it tells you. Nobody can live your life but you. However wonderful and worthy another person’s life may seem and however sound their advice may be, there is no advice more worth listening to than the advice of your own heart. This is not to say that you never need to enrol the resources of a coach or a counsellor. Another person to help may be exactly where your heart guides you. We all grow with help from one another. But remember to filter all advice through your own heart’s wisdom. If it resonates, act on it promptly; if it doesn’t resonate, continue to ask your heart for guidance.

My colleague, Judith Ayre and myself wish you all abundant happiness for 2006.

Justus Lewis, PhD and Judith Ayre provide individuals, families and small businesses with personal and business coaching and counselling. Contact Judith on 613 9526 6958 or Justus on 61 0400 156 069.

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Transformasia Pty Ltd
PO Box 1037, Caulfield Nth, Vic 3161, Australia
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Tel: +61 0400 156 069

www.transformasia.com.au