Brightening your space brings happiness. I am amazed at how “little” things like fresh photos, handpicked flowers, special incense and a good cleaning can energetically clear old, stuck (and often negative) energies. So in my everyday path of nurturing a deeper sense of peace and ultimately, happiness into my life – I have found that surrounding myself with things of beauty, love and truth call forward a sense of everyday contentment.

Since this blog is about how YOU can become happier too, here I share some simple suggestions that can make a big difference:

Clear Your Space – By removing stacks of old bills, “dust bunnies” in the corner and de-cluttering your space allows old energy to leave. You are creating the physical and energetic space for new and happier things to move in. Using Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement, to also call forward what you uniquely want whether it is more money, a better relationship, a job that perfectly suits your unique talents or something else. One book that I love on that topic is Feng Shui Your Life by Jayme Barrett, which really helped me optimize my living area resulting in a greater feeling of joy.

Enhance – Use plants, soothing sounds, crystals, wind chimes, and other energizers of space to lift your spirits. One thing that makes me happier is also to fill the birdfeeders outside my office, and hear the positive (and thankful) chirps all day long. This is a really inexpensive thing for me to do (like $3.00 a bag a birdfeed) and it helps create a feeling within me of love, and appreciation for all of life every day.

So ask yourself: What can I do today to lift my spirits? Listen to your inner voice, and allow yourself to do something just for you today. It may be getting some fresh flowers, candles or new tunes to bolster your mood.

Add Happy Images – Our mind “goes to that place” it has been when it sees photos of ourselves when we were happy. So the idea is to display images that make you feel happy whether it was when you traveled to Europe for the first time, and there you are at the Eiffel Tower smiling away or when you met your granddaughter for the very first time.

Feeling happier happens quicker when one is surrounded by photos, images and pictures that remind us of how happy we’ve been. Take a look around the room you are in and ask yourself: Are there any happy photos of me here? If not, I suggest you add one and see how it makes you feel. Or at least add a photo of someone else that brings a smile to your face!

By Maureen Healy

Maureen Healy is a practicing emotional health expert with more than 20 years of global experience. Her new book, Growing Happy Kids: How to Foster Inner Confidence, Success and Happiness, is available wherever books are sold. More Info: www.growinghappykids.com