“Are you happy?” one of my recovery group friends asked me at dinner the other night.
If you had asked me that a few years ago, I would have had to pause to think about it. Back then, I worked for a company that did not appreciate me. The only thing it provided (besides my paycheck) was a toxic work environment. I was stressed and tired all the time. I was drinking heavily and was miserable.
I answered my friend without hesitation, “I’m very happy!” Life is good, better than ever.
Today, happiness is a state of mind rather than a feeling. I used to allow what happened in my life and around me to influence my happiness. Talk about setting myself up for failure. Turn on the news, and all you hear is negativity. Scroll through social media or the internet, and you’ll find that probably 75% of the content is divisive. This politician or the other party is responsible for everything negative. No one is willing to take responsibility for anything, but that is for another time. It’s enough to depress anyone.
After the conversation with my friend, the serenity prayer came to mind, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Some of the happiest people I know are those who have learned how to tune out as much negativity as possible. They don’t get swept up by the news or spend most of their time with family or friends arguing politics. Don’t get me wrong–I care about what goes on and vote. I don’t allow my life to be consumed by all the loud noise. Life is way too precious to be stressed out all the time.
I have found the best way to tune out negativity is to go outdoors. I love writing Adventure Awaits because I hope it spreads happiness by encouraging you to get outside and tune out any negativity. We cannot change all the negativity in the world, but we can choose how we respond to this negativity.
Last week after work one night, I visited some friends camping along the Mississippi at Shady Creek Campground. Shady Creek is a gem of a campground where you can relax while sitting along the river. We talked about what outdoor activities relax us the most. I got out my phone and pulled up my calendar. Between my job and working around the farm with the bees and trees, I must schedule things in my calendar so I don’t overbook. I pulled up Sunday, my day off, and added Hammock Therapy. I don’t have to travel further than my backyard to find two sturdy trees strong enough to support me dangling above the ground. It only takes me a few minutes to ensure my hammock is tied around the tree so it doesn’t come loose. All of us can have the courage to spend more time outdoors relaxing.
Sunday afternoon arrived, and I dropped what I was doing. I headed out to hang up my hammock and float between two oaks. I turned my phone off to shut out any distractions, and I just lay there. After a few minutes, I drifted off to sleep. Over the next three hours, I would wake up and fall asleep repeatedly. It was relaxing, and when I finally awoke, I felt so refreshed.
Hammock Therapy is one of the most inexpensive outdoor activities you can do. You can spend as little as $10 for a hammock. I have a good one that cost around $15. Besides the hammock, grab a soft pillow and bug spray, and you are good to go. If you need some r and r, get a hammock, and use it! If you are unsure of getting into a hammock, sit back in a chair outside with your feet up. There is something peaceful about hanging freely between two trees, watching the clouds float by, and listening to the birds peacefully chirp, not worrying about a thing in the world, especially circumstances out of your control. I encourage you to get outside and experience the wind blowing in a hammock, on a blanket, or in a chair. You won’t regret a moment of it!
