I was thinking about what ideas I wanted to pass onto my clients as I leave my counseling job. So I came up with these 50 ways to feel alive and happy. I thought you might appreciate this list too. Here is the list I am going to share with them today in one of my last groups:

Each day choose to be happy
Let yourself be guided by the wisdom of your heart
Fully love and accept yourself and let your love spread out into the world
Appreciate the beauty around you both in nature and in human creativity
Spread you light out in the world
Think positive thoughts, you’ll feel better
Live each moment as fully as you can, be present to life
Tune into nature (flow, sounds, vibrations, sights etc) and let it bring you healing
Get physical, workout, stretch, build strength and endurance
Express yourself creatively as often as you can
Read books, listen to podcasts, checkout CD, DVD's that inspire you
Be active in a support group or social network
Build positive relationships with everyone you interact with
Appreciate and express your uniqueness
Each day do something to make the world a better place
Lighten up and enjoy even your mistakes
Be honest with yourself and others
Make a commitment to live life enthusiastically
Each morning visualize the wonderful results you want to create
Explore lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences
Challenge your mind to keep expanding
Go for a vigorous walk or a slow meditative one often
See life as an adventure and go exploring
Make it your daily practice to have fun
Volunteer for an organization or cause you believe in
Be compassionate for those in need of support
Get a pet and care for it, it will keep giving back
Take time to be quiet and open to your inner wisdom
Pick up a journal and write to express how you feel and who you are, no editing is needed
Develop inner practices like mindfulness, meditation, prayer and other ways of going inward
Make silence a part of your day
Explore alternative healing practices
Take a class or study what interests you
Explore your unlimited human potential
Do service work, help others
Focus on what you are grateful for each evening before you go to sleep
Make it a goal to set yourself free
Learn to relax, take a nap, get the sleep you need and feel rested
Learn how to be patient and slow down
Question all your thoughts and beliefs, open your mind and go in search of your truth
Be curious about life and the world
Explore your spiritual nature in ways that are nurturing to you
Acknowledge and embrace all your feelings
Expand your consciousness and become a more aware human being
Be open to all cultures and viewpoints
Find time to connect with your higher nature, wise mind
Make it your goal to spread happiness each day
Find your unique purpose and express it with passion
Eat with health and well-being in mind
Be at peace with yourself in your mind, body and spirit

What would add to this list? Which ideas are you doing already? Which ones are you willing to explore? Growth and activity always feels positive and uplifting even in difficult times. Each day is waiting for you to create your own masterpiece.