Happiness Expands: Watch It Grow

Humans have many things in common, and moving toward joy and happiness is at the top of the list. We all desire to be and feel positive. And, the best part is that your joy creates more joy! Science has proven that just being in the presence of someone who feels positively about their life or experience can impact your mood. For example, you may recall a dear friend who comforted you after a big setback or a brief moment with a stranger’s uplifting energy that shifted your outlook for the rest of the day. This is joy in action.

So now to the critical question… Just how do you go about being more joyful in your life? It all comes down to creating a glass-is-half-full mindset that allows you to be a glowing being for yourself and others. Though neuroscientists haven’t found a happiness light switch behind your ear (yet!), there are quite a few proven ways for cultivating (and sharing) more joy in your life.

If you'd like to get started by strengthening your ability to tap into the present moment or explore other mindful themes within the Brighter Being System, take a peek at our Love Guide.

Grin and Grow

Start your smile from your soul and be authentic, heartfelt, and purposeful. When you have a smile that flows from your heart, it helps you to feel joyful all over. What?! Sounds amazing… and when you’re just on the “edge of happy,” this might make sense. But when you’re feeling the grind of life and that glass is definitely half empty, this might be a difficult practice to begin, so let’s break it down.

Just start... JUST SMILE. It’s ok to “fake it until you make it” when it comes to smiling. Research has proven that adjusting your face into a smile position can boost your joy factor. And more importantly, this practice helps your mind and body recover from stress more quickly. If you’re feeling low energy, take note that it takes more muscles to frown than smile.

Finally, even if your fake smile doesn’t deliver a powerful shot of joy to you, it’s likely to impact the people around you positively. You might notice that seeing someone else’s response to your hard-earned smile invites a full-on toothy grin. Heads up, though! Getting started with this practice can feel awkward, so be patient. Take your Mona-Lisa-look for a few rides before deciding if this practice is for you. Net, net this is one of our favorite, most straightforward, subtle, go-to practices for increasing joy.

✨ Try This: Smile Shift

• Just Smile! – Even if it feels forced, adjust your face into a smile. Your brain will catch on, and over time it can lift your mood and ease stress.
• Play with It. – Try a subtle Mona Lisa smile or a full-on grin. Experiment in the mirror, with a friend, or while passing strangers.
• Notice the Ripple Effect – A simple smile can brighten someone’s day, and their response might just make yours genuine. Keep at it. It gets easier.

Search for the Silver Lining

Did you know that even people who appear to be constantly happy, joyful, and smiling have also had their handful of lemons, tomatoes, and stones thrown in their direction? Maybe they learned to make lemonade better than everyone else? Perhaps. But there’s a simple practice that doesn’t require any sugar.

Actively brainstorm all possible ways this not-so-great thing/situation could be a good thing. To be clear, depending on what has just occurred or what is, you may need to take a moment (or longer) to find your center before starting this practice, but it’s excellent for reframing and reconnecting you to your joy.

Scientists have shown that when someone sees weakness as a positive asset, they will be more committed to developing and improving that aspect. Likewise, people with a positive mindset find the lesson or the upside to whatever happens in life. Focusing on the positive helps you recover from adversity faster.

✨ Try This: Find the Upside

• Pause and Reframe. – Take a moment to center yourself, especially if emotions are running high.
• Flip the Script. – Brainstorm how this challenge could be a learning opportunity, a redirection, or a test of strength. List any possible upsides, even small ones.
• Uncover the Lesson. – Focus on how this experience might help you grow or adapt. Shifting your perspective can make a big difference.

Make Gratitude a Habit

Are you looking for one of the fastest ways to elevate your joy factor? As if the warm fuzzies of the practice weren’t enough, according to studies, expressing your gratitude can have a measurable impact on your physical and mental health. The act of appreciating what you have shifts your perspective and strengthens emotional resilience.

Expressing your appreciation is one of the easiest ways to send your love vibes into the world and for them to return to you. Noticing and feeling gratitude within yourself is a game-changer, and expressing those positive thoughts about someone or something is a joy “power-play.” There are endless ways to make this practice work for you all day, any day. When you’re on the lookout for things you are grateful for, more things start popping up! You might begin by sharing how much you appreciate someone’s kindness or how a small thing they did helped you.

It’s also lovely to take note of a characteristic or talent you see in someone else and offer them a reflection of your appreciation of their quality or work. For example, “I really value how well you listen and are willing to help me work through things whenever I need it. "Thank you for being there for me - it means a lot.” And there are the points of gratitude that may seem to have less importance, like letting your mail carrier know how much you appreciate them getting your letters in your mailbox.

In addition to sharing appreciation for others, sharing your gratitude with others is also helpful. For example, if you’ve just noticed that the sky is a beautiful shade of blue today, why not say so?! Help others begin their practice with your positive remarks. And if no one else is around - tell the cat, tell the plant, tell yourself… expressing your appreciation is an immediate boost for your wellbeing.

Thank-you notes are the heart’s way to make an even more powerful positive impact on another person’s wellbeing… and your own. The best part about writing a note to someone else with your gratitude is that they may return to your words years in the future, allowing your good vibes to continue reverberating. You might even consider writing one to yourself!

✨ Try This: Heartfelt Habits

• Gratitude Walk – Take a short walk and challenge yourself to notice and mentally appreciate five beautiful things—flowers, sunlight, the kindness of strangers, or even just fresh air.
• Mirror Gratitude – Each time you see your reflection today, say something you appreciate about yourself. It could be as simple as “I’m grateful for my persistence” or “I love how I showed kindness today.”
• Affirm Your Light – Reconnect with your Brighter Being by choosing an uplifting statement to repeat daily. Write it down or say it aloud during a routine moment. Pick one that aligns with your focus, like “I am grateful for this breath,” and revisit it often. Or for an added boost, consider a Mindful Mark such as "Joy" and let this be a helpful daily touchpoint.
• Nurture Nature – Getting and giving back to nature is a beautiful way to lift your spirit and radiate joy. Small acts like gardening or using a reusable bottle support the planet and your well-being. Consider tending to a neglected space. Picking up a stray coffee cup can create a cleaner, brighter spot for all to enjoy. Even simple, unglamorous actions leave you feeling good and may inspire gratitude from others.
• Pay it Forward – Set an intention to notice small ways to show unexpected kindness. Tiny gestures, like returning a shopping cart or buying someone’s coffee, can brighten both your day and theirs. The Pay-It-Forward practice is all about simple, unexpected acts that spread joy.
• Hello, Old Friend – Randomly reaching out to someone you haven’t touched base with in a while is a great way to light up your day and someone else’s. It seems we’re always “in touch” and perhaps, at least for some of us, maybe over-connected. That’s why this particular practice is so special. It’s about being intentional with whom you’re taking a moment to connect. Even if you can’t chat immediately, you’ll know that you’ve made a dear one feel special. And, that alone my friend, is a heart warmer.
• Heartfelt Gifts – Sharing tiny meaningful gifts is a lovely way to increase positive energy for yourself and your dear one. Sharing tiny meaningful gifts is a lovely way to increase positive energy for yourself and your dear one. This could simply be a small handwritten note saying, “You are Wonderful! Grateful to have you as a dear friend.” Drop it in the mail. Done! You might find a flower or cool rock in your garden to share with a coworker. Remember “it is the thought that counts.” These gestures do not need to be fancy, just thoughtful. The key is acting on inspired moments and reminding others they are valued.

Final Thoughts on Radiating Joy: Intentional Living with Acts of Kindness

Incorporate as many of these practices in the list above into your life. You might enjoy trying one at a time. You may find some of the practices easier than others you may already be doing. The key is to stay on your path. Each small act, whether smiling, expressing gratitude, or sharing kindness, adds up and expands your joy while radiating positivity to those around you. With time and intention, you will see your happiness grow and your light shine even brighter.

If you’d like to take a moment to reflect on your relationship with this intention, visit our Joy Page for a simple journal prompt to deepen your connection with this intention.