Happiness and the Single Person; Changing Myth Into Reality

Does the expression "single and happy" sound like an oxymoron to you? Are you weary of others (especially other singles) reinforcing the belief that singles cannot be happy? Do you find yourself always planning for the future or putting things off until you "are married and settled? Do you often have a sense that the intense feelings of happiness and joy cannot really be experienced unless you "have someone to share it with?" Do you just feel there is not enough time and other necessary resources available to the single person to pursue experiences that can bring true happiness?

If the above resonates in your gut, do not despair. The following tips will offer ways to help you experience your present reality differently through changing behavior that is based on those negative (false) beliefs. Essentially, these tips will offer advice on how to live a joyful, fulfilling and balanced single life, which will also assist you in achieving a healthy, long- term, intimate relationship.

· Seek self-fulfillment as an individual.

Place emphasis on being truly alive and experiencing the things that bring you true pleasure. Do not let the feelings of peace and wonder slip from your life as you wait to share (beautiful sunsets) and other gifts of life with a future partner.

Do not place your focus on "getting there." Instead, learn to experience the journey of life. If you can only see the goal of a relationship - marriage, home, children, etc., you will not enjoy the experiences along life's way.

A good analogy for this is that of a person who bikes and sets (ie), a 40-mile goal for the day. They plan and prepare and off they go. The trip consists of thoughts about getting there, watching for problems in the road ahead, measuring the distance and looking forward to the sense of relief and accomplishment when the goal is met.

What about the sensory experiences missed along the way? This biker will not see the way the sun is reflecting on the river. They will not hear the sounds of the birds and other wildlife in the parallel world around them. The smells of fresh vegetation, moist soil and spring-drenched air will not reach their awareness. It is doubtful their mind will trip and play with thoughts of other (perhaps childhood) days like this.

In other words, they will not be IN the experience, just racing through it, and missing the magic available all around them.

· Do not put off important life decisions while waiting for that special someone.

If your desire is to own your own home, work towards achieving this now. Yes, it may be smaller than if you had a partner to share it with. Your list of must-haves with this first home may be different (as yours alone) than they would be if you were looking for a family. When that time comes, you can make the decision to remain there for a time, or sell/rent out your first place. In the meantime, you will have an investment that you can make into something that meets your needs now for comfortable and secure living. It will add stability and be a wonderful help at tax time.

If you are thinking about making a career change or going back to school for a degree, there is no better time than now.

Yes, this may involve re-working priorities, moving, giving up some income, etc. If this is something you have decided you want for your life, delaying it until you are settled in a relationship may make it impossible to achieve. Make that move now. Do not let this time in your life be placed on hold as you wait for things to happen in your life, instead of working to make them become reality.

· Pamper yourself

Do nice things for yourself now that you have been putting off until?

Go ahead and take that trip to the exotic place you have always wanted to visit. You can return there someday with your special someone.

Make it a habit to set the table for your dinner (for one). Use nice china and candles. Treat yourself as deserving of the things couples routinely provide to themselves as a unit. Ask yourself, am I less deserving because I am single?

Put care and love into how you decorate your home. It does not have to cost a lot of money or become another chore to accomplish this. Make it a comfortable nest and retreat from the world. You and your future mate can decide together what to keep, change or add to.

* Make a plan, not excuses

Make time for the things that matter. Do not let your job or other responsibilities take over your life. Set those priorities. Set limits on work and other functional tasks. We often cite work as our best excuse for not attending to our other needs and wants. This may mean making less money or not moving up as fast in the organization.

Without balance, there will be deficits in the emotional, spiritual, and social and leisure areas of your life. Write down your must haves.

Take time out each day for unwinding and relaxation. Keep a weekly inventory of how you are doing and make adjustments as necessary.

Learn how to productively "waste time". Turn off the blackberry and TV. Spend time alone with your thoughts. Reflect on your feelings and your life.

This is the season for new beginnings. Let this spring be your time for learning how to be truly happy and at peace within yourself. Immerse your senses in the many joys that the world around you has to offer. Don't shut out the beauty and happiness that is available to everyone, regardless of their relationship status.

Toni Coleman is a licensed therapist and relationship coach in private practice in McLean, Virginia. She specializes in working with singles that want to create lasting, intimate relationships. Toni has over 20 years of post-masters experience in relationship counseling and coaching with singles and couples. She is the founder and President of LifeChange Coaching and Consum-mate Relationship Coaching. She developed and teaches the Creating Lasting Relationships Training, a tele-workshop designed to help singles to define, implement and fulfill their life and relationship goals. She has also written numerous email classes for singles on all aspects of meeting, dating and relating. She is the author of the email newsletter, The Art of Intimacy, which goes out to thousands of subscribers monthly. http://www.consum-mate.com

The Canadian Press
David Duval finds happiness, may have found his game at British Open
The Canadian Press,  England - 2 hours ago
SOUTHPORT, England — David Duval strolled up the final fairway on a cloudy day in dark sunglasses, waving to the cheering fans, back in a familiar place at ...

BELGIUM IN BULGARIA: Pavilion of temporary happiness
Sofia Echo, Bulgaria - 19 hours ago
We could say that it started with King Leopold II back in 1889, who, while ruling in Belgium, wished to improve the view from his window at the royal palace ...

Kajwang’s pursuit of heavenly happiness ends in a hell-hole
Standard, Kenya - 23 hours ago
Gerald Otieno Kajwang. The name brings a smile on the face. Think of the chubby cheeks, bulbous eyes and wing ears all melting into a grin, the body swaying ...

Review: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
guardian.co.uk, UK - 1 hour ago
At the outset, that looks like a mere narrative device, contrived to sell a ramble around the subject of happiness as a ripping yarn, doubtless with an eye ...

Hard to understand tears of happiness
Sand Mountain Reporter, AL - 1 hour ago
Then Mary began to sob – with happiness, she said. I still don’t understand that part but – take my advice – it’s getting clearer to see, even through my ...

Get High on Happiness:
Jewishinstlouis.org, MO - 7 hours ago
Anger does not have to destroy happiness, but it often does. We generally have a difficult time having two emotions at the same time. ...

MOST THINGS CONSIDERED: Happiness may be finding the right lid for ...
Manville News, NJ - 2 hours ago
By Minx McCloud Special Writer I just attended my high school class reunion – 40 years! Woo-hoo! And we all look the same as we did in high school (cough) . ...

On the path to finding happiness
MayoClinic.com - 22 hours ago
I went to the health and wellness section and was skimming books on happiness — an elusive goal that all humans seek. Let me share a quick overview of a ...

Happiness is a role called Hamlet
BirminghamMail.net, UK - 13 hours ago
DR Who returns to Planet Earth this summer, landing in the picturesque Warwickshire town of Stratford-upon-Avon – and his arrival is already causing plenty ...

Sky News
Happiness Is Outside UK
Sky News, UK - Jul 17, 2008
Britons are the highest earners in Europe - but they come out badly in the quality of life stakes. The price of fuel and other essential goods, ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Do You Love Yourelf?