Have you ever found yourself struggling to make the right decision? Do you notice there’s a part of you that wants to say “yes”, when another part deep inside cries “no”. Or maybe, your “head” tries to rationalize the reasons why you should make this choice but somewhere deep inside isn’t quite sold on the idea. And you’re not sure why.
I’ve discovered an amazing tool to help me get clarity around making the right choice for myself. I call it my “Happiness Meter.”
My Happiness Meter is inside of my body and it measures how I am feeling in that moment. For example, when an opportunity to go somewhere or spend time with someone arises, I drop out of my head and into my heart and check in with my “Happiness Meter”. It gives me a reading between 0 and 10; 0 being not happy at all, and 10 being full happiness. For me, if my reading is under 7 or 8, I say, “no thank you”.
Although, many have forgotten how to use it, there is a happiness meter inside each of us. It is right in there, next to our intuition. As children, we know it well, but forget it as we develop. We stop trusting in this inner wisdom, and instead ask our head for advice. This means we put our ego in charge.
Examples of this are trying to impress others, winning approval, to be better than, to prove, to earn, to win, to manipulate or control. Doing or getting those things never make us happy, at least not for long. Happiness is an inside job!
It’s important to note that some choices, like going to the dentist may not be fun or fulfilling in the moment. But when you stop the chatter in your head and drop into your gut or heart you know the long-term benefit is happiness.
I had a client this week who requested coaching around whether or not to go to a social event. It would have been a well-attended event and she thought it would have been a good chance to network for new clients. Just by the fact that she wanted help around deciding to go or not, gave me some good information. Listening to her talk, I could feel it was going to be an effort. Something she thought she “should” do.
Does any of this sound familiar? If you answered, “Yes!” take action now to connect with YOUR “Happiness Meter!”
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Take Action Now! The next time you have an important decision to make, follow these steps to connect with your Happiness Meter: 1. Ask yourself, “Why am I making this choice?” Am I excited, optimistic and passionate about this choice or is it something I believe I “should” do. When you find yourself explaining the reasons why you are doing something, stop. You are in your head. 2. Drop into your body and take a reading. “How does it feel?” Doing it because you should, for the approval of others, or to control or manipulate has a much lower resonance or heavier feeling than doing it because it is fulfilling or right for you. Can you feel the difference? Can you feel how one is lower or heavier than the other on your “Happiness Meter”? In my client’s case, if she went feeling less than excited or enthused, what energy or resonance would she be sharing with others when she got there? If she went without enthusiasm, only wanting something from the event, what resonance would people feel from her? 3. Instead of looking outside of yourself and trying to make things happen from there, drop inside and ask “What would I enjoy doing? What would give me an 8 or above on my Happiness Meter? What would feel good? When you get clear with what you desire and discover ways to bring you higher, lighter emotions such as fun, love and joy, you will attract more fun, love and joy to you. In my client’s case, I asked her to remember a time when she had fun networking and connecting with potential clients. I could feel her energy shift as she talked about hosting a “Bring a Friend, wine and nibbles party” at her house to introduce new people to her work. The evening was extremely successful and she loved putting it on. Now THAT was an 8 or above! When you feel good, people are attracted to being with you. The “Happiness Meter” is a tool or gauge to help you drop out of your head and into your heart in order to make choices that are right for you. You feel energized because those heart-based choices are more fulfilling and are in alignment with you and your values. Remember, creating positive inner Feng Shui means As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this article and anything else on your mind. Please post a comment below. |
taking full personal responsibility for yourself, your actions, and your feelings. The key to finding your heart’s desire is connecting with what feels good inside of you and not listening to the voice in your head. The more you use the “Happiness Meter”, the better you will become at this!
WANT TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? Please feel free to do so, as long as it remains intact and you include the following text and link: Article by Cindy Prosor, Feng Shui Guidess and Founder of Opening Doors Within. A Professional Life Coach and Feng Shui Consultant, Cindy helps her clients achieve spiritual balance, emotional fulfillment and transform fear and doubt into confidence, trust and joy. To get your FREE REPORT “7 Biggest Feng Shui Secrets to Creating Abundance, Better Relationships and Radiant Health,” visit http://www.openingdoorswithin.com.
Cindy – I just love your article!! You just helped me to make a decision regarding an event I am invited to. Thank you:-)
I am so glad you got something from this article Jeanette. Thank you for your feedback!
love the title of this one, Cindy! such wonderful information, you are a woman after my own heart! Annemarie Miner
This is Awesome Cindy, and I believe it works! I was checking with some of the choices I made this week and yes, the joy inside really tells you if your on the right path. Thank you for a great blog!
It’s fun to check in on a regular basis. I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s become a natural habit!
Hello Cindy,
I like your happiness metre idea. Although sometimes its not a matter of ‘should’ its a matter of ‘have to’ especially in regard to earning money.
Hi Anne,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, sometimes we have to do things that may not bring immediate happiness such as go to the dentist or to a job that may not be much fun. Yet it’s not the immediate gratification we are measuring here. It is checking in with the long-term happiness/fulfillment that’s important. How much happiness will this choice give me in the bigger picture?
Another question might be, “Why am I making this choice?” If it’s just for the money, it will probably not bring long-term happiness as money cannot bring lasting happiness. If in fact, the job or structure for making money is never going to give you lasting fulfillment/happiness, then I suggest you ask yourself what form of generating income will. There are many ways of earning money. Finding one that resonates with your Soul is much more fulfilling and fun than doing it because you “have to”.
In gratitude,
Cindy