PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT HAPPINESS How to Spread More Happiness “I think I’m being friendly with someone, and I’ll sit in their lap. They think I’m flirting with them.” - Kyle Minogue It’s been a difficult 18 months in so many ways. Our schedules are suddenly getting busier as we have adjusted to the daily changes in our daily behaviour mandated by COVID-19. We are no longer sequestered and placed under orders to stay at home, behind closed doors, only being permitted a freedom for necessities like medical appointments, groceries, and walking the dogs. After so much time away from the real world, why not take some time out of your now busier schedules to connect with your community we’ve all earned it. With many having spent so much more time alone, now more than ever, it is extremely important to reconnect with others. Beyond the obvious friends and family, the next best place to find these connections can be right outside your front door – your community. Why is it important to also reconnect with your community? Having a sense of community unites us. Being a part of a community makes us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves. It affords us opportunities to connect with people, to reach for our goals, and makes us feel safe and secure. It’s important for every one of us to have a sense of community. Being connecting with others is more important than you might think. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk. It can have a negative impact on your mental health and research suggests that it can be associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress. What is the importance of developing personal connections with others? Connecting with others gives us a feeling of purpose adding significance and meaning to our lives, and it can also make a huge difference in someone else’s life. I was going to come up with a long list of recommendations on how to connect with others, however, as I got to that part in this article and
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started with a list, I got stuck on a word - friendly. BE FRIENDLY, if that is the only thing we can do, then do so. We can make a difference by being kind, caring and helpful to others. Think about a time when someone was friendly to you - maybe drawing you into a gathering, saying hello on the sidewalk, or smiling from across the room. How did it make you feel? Did it make a difference in your day? Being friendly to others doesn’t just help them, it works in your favour, as well. Friendliness will instantly boost your happiness. Whenever I’m being kind to another being, I feel good about myself. We all face challenges, and it’s not always easy to be friendly and polite but doing so can make a profound difference - for others and for ourselves. It’s simple, really. Smile, say hello to a stranger walking down the street, down the grocery isle, in the checkout line. Stop and have a chat as you walk past your neighbour’s front yard Connection with people is an inherent aspect of our human society. We seek out and lean on human interaction. Be on the lookout today for someone - smile and say hello! Be the reason someone smiles today. For now, signing off from a place of calm, joy, and love.
AMANDA KIRKLAND
Personal Development Coach www.amandakirkland.com If you are interested in making positive changes in your life, let’s book an initial consultation call. Tell me your story and we can evaluate where you are right now and where you want to be and identify what’s blocking you from achieving the results you desire. My coaching programs use specific ENLP tools that can rewire unhealthy strategies and break through existing challenges to find more ease and joy in your life. These tools are different because they uncover the root cause of surface-level problems. We will clear these blocks at the unconscious and cellular level allowing you to see effective results over a short time. I am passionate about my work because I’ve experienced first-hand the life-changing results and shifts possible when working with the unconscious mind. Email me at amanda@amandakirkland.com or visit www.amandakirkland.com
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