“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “It will be happier.” The best way to predict the future is to create it. There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.”
– Unknown
I used this quote for Sunday Stills Year in Review, and then it just came to me in a flash of inspiration.
Happiness just has to be my WOTY in 2023.
It’s not that I am unhappy. It’s just that I wish to be more intentional in recognizing and showing gratitude for the gift of happiness in my life.
Being aware of one’s values helps people live authentically, which ultimately leads to sustainable happiness.—
Colleen Reilly, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022
At Christmas time, the song I kept humming along with was “all I want for Christmas…… is for people everywhere to seek joy and happiness in their lives.
Forget about the conspiracy theories. Stop scrolling through and down those social media rabbit holes – and find something positive and creative to do with the time and energy you save yourself.
Some definitions…….
Happiness
a: a state of well-being and contentment
b: a pleasurable or satisfying experience
Capturing these Fairy Terns was both pleasurable and satisfying


3 things that make people most happy are:
1.PLEASURE -doing things that you enjoy
2 ENGAGEMENT – feeling interested in your activities and connected to others
3 MEANING – feeling like what you do matters
And so I will take much pleasure in engaging and finding meaning in everything I do this year.
And…..
10 Keys that tend to make life happier and more fulfilling:
Giving Do kind things for others
Relating Connect with people
Exercising Take care of your body
Awareness Live life mindfully
Trying Out Keep learning new things
Direction Have goals to look forward to
Resilience Find ways to bounce back
Emotions Look for what’s good
Acceptance Be comfortable with who you are
Meaning Be part of something bigger
Together they spell GREAT DREAM
Courtesy of https://actionforhappiness.org
What are some other words for happy?
- pleased.
- delighted.
- satisfied.
- glad.
- thankful.
- thrilled.
- joyful.
- joyous
I think I will have plenty of choice for future goals and actions going forward.
And just to leave you with an ear worm -have a listen to these lyrics.
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Song by Bobby McFerrin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWXUWepSak4
Some of the lyrics….
“Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy
Don’t worry, be happy now
Don’t worry (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don’t worry, be happy (Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don’t worry (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don’t worry, be happy”
We can always find something to worry about. Don’t worry. Be happy.
And here they are- My goals, my WOTY, and my resolution – all wrapped up together.

Great goals, Liana. I wish you the best and happiest New Year. Thanks for joining in this week. The new post publishes in 40 minutes, so you just made it. I got up to take a yoga class online, so I checked my website early! YAY!
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