1. To believe in myself

I now know that I can do hard things. Over time, positive psychology has helped me develop a growth mindset. So rather than being too scared to do things that I don’t know how to do, or seem big and scary, I believe in my ability to work hard enough to figure it out and/or seek the help I need to make it happen.

2. That connection to myself & others is important

Taking time to be with myself, alone with my own thoughts, helps me to better understand who I am and what I need. Likewise, I can nurture relationships by showing up for others, being present and showing my gratitude. Human connections provide us with support and make us feel safe. We can also make connections with people we don’t even know by simply smiling at someone as we pass on the sidewalk or having a friendly conversation with a stranger.

3. Gratitude is the key to living my best life

When I can’t seem to find happiness, I choose to be grateful. There is always something to be grateful for. If you can’t think of anything, simply be grateful for the breath you just took. “It is not happiness that makes us grateful, it is being grateful that makes us happy.” -Unknown

4. Even as I get older, I can still learn

I continue to grow and gain wisdom with each passing year. I still make mistakes, but we have to fail in order to learn and grow. I think this is the key to a long and fabulous life, to create goals, pursue interests and always remain curious. “We learn to fail or fail to learn.” -Tal Ben-Shahar

5. My voice is powerful

Finding my voice made me realize it had been silenced for so long. I now know that I can and should speak up for myself. And I’ve come to understand that I can also be a voice for others. As I teach people the important lessons that I’ve learned, I’m able to serve others and make a positive difference in their lives. Gratitude touches others and the world in a simple yet profound way.

6. Taking care of myself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary

I’ve learned to give myself permission to live fully, to take care of myself, to listen to myself and my body. I’m able to tune in to nature and be present with all of my senses. I lovingly give myself permission to be human, to have self-compassion, and to be magnificent. After all, we are all divine beings, being human.

7. Kaizen changes move Me forward

Each and every one of us carries the scars of our past. Some carry much deeper wounds than others, but we all have them. Resilience can seem elusive and there were many years that I felt sure my life would never change for the better. However, positive psychology taught me how to move forward slowly. We refer to this gradual change as Kaizen. New habits take time to develop. Dreams and goals take time to pursue. But it is the small, gradual changes that move us forward in life.

8. Actions speak louder than words

There is always something I can do for someone else, which strengthens those human connections and in turn, increases my own happiness. A study of college students demonstrated this very idea. Each student was given $20, with one group instructed to spend the money on themselves, and the other to spend the money on someone else. Those who spent the money on someone else reported immediate happiness that lasted even weeks later. When we do for others, everyone benefits. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by sending a gratitude note to someone. (Grab a set of the beautiful Gratitude Notecards pictured here.) This simple act can make someone else happy, and you might be surprised by how much happiness it brings you as well.

8 Things Positive Psychology Has Taught Me About Myself