“I will try to create more happiness in the world around me.”

– Action for Happiness pledge

Have you ever felt that there must be more to life – well there is! The key is to recognize the positive in our everyday lives, which is accomplished by being mindful and aware. When we practice mindful living we become attuned to our feelings and our surroundings, and we get more out of each day. Being mindful helps anchor you in the present, so that worries about what the future holds and dwelling about past failures and upsets diminishes. So what is mindful living?

Mindful living, or mindfulness, is described by Psychology Today as “a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.”

Awareness through mindful living is one of the 10 Keys to Happier Living, “which research shows tend to make a big difference to our happiness and are within our control.” Awareness is one of the ten areas of focus that is promoted by the United Nations movement, the International Day of Happiness, celebrated every year on March 20th. It is an annual celebration recognizing that human progress “should be about increasing human happiness and well-being, not just growing the economy.”

The best way to begin living mindfully and create awareness is to retrain your brain toward the positive in your daily life. Ongoing negative thinking will begin to carve a pathway in your brain. This time-worn path will influence how you perceive your world. You can create a new brain path that redirects your thoughts to a more positive direction and allows you to be mindful and aware. You are in charge of your happiness.

For International Happiness Day 2016, I challenge you to retrain your brain to mindful living. Get my free workbook and join others in creating new, more positive ways of thinking. This 28-day #BrainBootcamp challenge will change your perceptions, create awareness, and allow you to reflect back on the good in your life. If you’re ready to accentuate the positive, this Challenge is for you! There is more to life, you just need the eyes with which to see.