How quickly are we allowing those doors to open up once a door of happiness has closed?
Sometimes, when we're dealing with a mental illness, or a brain injury, as I have experienced, focus isn't always directed toward happiness. Or at least it didn't used to be directed toward happiness for me until I found purpose and passion in my life.
There is a difference in life when we are working toward a goal, toward a dream. For instance, after my brain injury and losing my memory, I was confused and I was in survival mode. I don't know whether I even knew what a goal or a dream even looked like at that point in time. For those caregivers out there who are reading this - it is important to help your loved one to understand that there is more to life than just survival! And for those of you who are going day in and day out just surviving, I want you to know that this is not the way to live! You need to find your passion! You need to figure out what makes you happy!
- Make a list of 20 things that you loved to do as a child. Was it playing in the sand? Was it coloring in coloring books, painting with watercolors, putting puzzles together, playing kick the can with your friends in the street?
- Make a list of 20 things you've never done that you'd like to try. If you can't think of anything, go to NotSoBoringLife.com. They have a few ideas :-)
- Try to think back on a time in your life when you were happy. What were you doing then. Do those things again. For those of you who do have memory loss, like me, get out all the old movies and books you have lying around and watch or read them again. It's a whole new adventure!
I know that when one door of happiness closes, that other door is right around the corner. All we have to do is open it. But we have to be the one opening it. Doors don't open by themselves.
Sending many hugs and lots of love!
Cathleen
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