3 Ways to Happier Days

A mentor and author I deeply respect, Rabbi Zeleg Pliskin, once taught me a simple three-step formula for happiness.

Step 1. Appreciate and Enjoy

Step 2. Find the positive

Step 3. Talk and act joyously

Rabbi Pliskin has written dozens of books focused on unlocking happiness and realizing your

potential. Somewhat surprisingly, most of his writings revolve around just these three core

principles, extrapolated and illustrated in hundreds of ways, stories and insights.

I believe most of us are chasing this one thing: happiness. It’s probably why you started to read

this article.

People buy and do things to try and reach a state of happiness. The irony is you do not need to reach it. You can live it right now.

Once you practice this mindset, you will then be in the best position to reach your full potential, achieve your goals and bring the best in others.

The secret to happiness is you do not need stuff or to get to a certain place in order to be happy,happiness can be felt at any moment if you learn to transcend your emotions and master your mind.That might sound a bit monkey wonky, but hear me out. “But what about my BMW you’ve worked for, or the Breitling I’ve been saving up for?”

It is OK to have nice things and to enjoy them and enhance your life. Hashem created this world to enjoy. Just don’t rely on those things bringing you happiness. Let your possessions enhance your life.

To keep things simple and sweet, let’s dig into each step.

Step 1. Appreciate and Enjoy

The first step is simple: appreciate what you have and enjoy it. Oftentimes we find ourselves so focused on where we want to be, that we forget just how far we’ve come!

Appreciate the little things. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. Have

parents, a roof over your head, food, good health, the ability to breathe and walk? Thank you

Hashem! Choose to practice mindfulness and appreciate these little things around you, take a

deep breathe and allow yourself to slow down and look around you. Appreciate the watch on

your wrist and the shoes on your feet. Hashem has given you everything, so too, your

possessions are holy, take care of them.

Gratitude multiplies happiness. It’s why gratitude is so often the first step to happiness. There is already to much to be happy for, you just have to open your eyes.

Step 2. Find the positive

Often-times things will not go as planned. Life will always have setbacks and frustrations. Learn from each one. Newsflash, we ALL have challenges. Everyone does. Rich people, poor people. Married people, single people.

You can’t control the waves, you can only control how you ride them.

You have heard this before.

Remind yourself to practice this truth.

Every situation has something good in it, it’s your job to find the positive.

Finding the positive is NOT denying reality, it is rather, reframing your current situation to find

the hidden positive things you can uncover.

It’s classically known as turning lemons into lemonade.

You have learned and grown from each setback in your life.

Your next setback could be the greatest thing to ever happen to you!

When you choose to find the positive, setbacks stop dragging you down. What once felt like

blobs of quicksand in your path become springboards that launch you ever higher.

Step 3. Talk and act joyously

This one might seem ridiculous, but try it. Smile, right now. Notice how it shifts your mood?

“Fake it till you make it” your momma told you. It’s true! It’s not impostor syndrome, if you

practice it, you become it. This is the essence. Smile for someone who might need it more than you.

Stand up tall and walk with pride, for YOU are the main character in your life! Choose to live a

life of awesome for you deserve it, for you are created by Hashem. Your existence is enough of a reason to be happy!

Talk and act joyously. If you’re reading this, you’re breathing, you’re alive. That alone is

something to smile about. Rabbi Pliskin says happiness isn’t something far out in the future, it’s right now in this moment:

Appreciate, Find the good, and Live with joy.

The mistake we so often make is comparing yourself to others and thinking you’re behind.

You’re not. If you believe and practice these 3 steps, you are miles ahead.

—

Gabe Silverstein is a Graphic Designer, Photographer, Videographer, and Writer.

You can reach him at gabe@gabesilverstein.com or visit gabesilverstein.com

You can view his photography at gabesilverstein.photo online and on Instagram

@gabesilverstein.photo