Depression Used To Rule My Life!

Most people wouldn’t believe me if I said that I used to be medicated for depression, but I was!

My “Happy Pills” were Citalopram… and my “Sleepy Pills” were Tamazopam. I hated taking pills. I felt weak. I felt like a failure. I felt like giving up at times, and by that I mean… completely giving up. Now, however, I’m happy, I’m in love with life, I have an amazing relationship, I love what I do… and I love who I am.

 

As I’m writing this blog post, I’m feeling a little exposed, but I think that it’s time to “come out of the closet” so you get that I’m not perfect, I never have been and I never will be. I’m not getting down on myself. I’m just being real…I’m just being Liz Benny.

The idea of writing this blog came from some feedback I received from a person who visits www.TogetherBeHappy.com regularly… and was confused about how I could always be so happy. You see, it’s not that I’m always happy… It’s just that see things differently now than when I was depressed. For example, I used to focus on how crappy my life was compared to others, who seemed to have it all. They were beautiful, rich, had cooler parents (sorry mum and dad) and had endless opportunities in life. I, on the other hand, was poor, fat, ugly and incredibly confused about what life was all about. I can’t believe how mean I was to myself now that I actually write that!

I also used to think that I’d never be happy, rather that I’d always be depressed. Sound familiar? If it does, please read on.

It’s been a long road to get to where I am now. I’ve learnt a crap load about myself… mostly, I’ve just learnt to accept myself for who I am. In doing so, I see my world through a different set of lenses. I see opportunities. I dance in the mall when I feel like dancing (I did that this morning actually), I hug random people in cafes (I did that yesterday and I taught a client of mine how to really hug people) and I smile at strangers, just because I want to make them smile.

Life is truly awesome now… In saying that though, I’m incredibly grateful for my years of depression. They’ve made me hungry for change. They’ve made me hungry to help spread happiness throughout the world. That’s why I’m doing this thing called TogetherBeHappy, it’s why I coach and as exposed as I may feel, that’s why I’m writing this.

I truly believe, in my heart of hearts, that humanity can be happier. My goal is 10,000,000 happier people … The ball is rolling.

Liz Benny

Steve Jobs, Apple and Happiness – The Connection

Regardless of whether you like Apple or not, regardless of whether you like Steve Jobs or not… This video is full to the brim of awesome “Ah ha moments”.

Feel free to share what you think!

How To Be Happy

Today we’re checking out the topic of: “How To Be Happy?”

Sometimes there are things in your life that sporadically make you happy right? Like, seeing “so and so” for an couple of hours or listening to that song that reminds you of a happy time … but imagine if you could actually be happier… more often.. and for longer periods.. like always maybe? Would THAT be cool???

Sure… so how about setting up the foundations for making this happen. How would THAT look? How do you do it?

Well, there are five main areas where happiness comes from… so wouldn’t it make sense that if you had all of these five things as foundations in your life… that you’d be happier?

Sure!

So… Let’s think of the following five points as bricks in the pyramid of your happiness. The bricks are as follows:

Brick 1: Connection – To other humans, a pet etc.

Brick 2: Be Active – So Exercise

Brick 3: Taking Time Out – To stop and marvel of the wonders of YOUR life (cos irrespective of the crappy day you may be having… there are loads of things that you can be grateful for having)

Brick 4: Learning New Things – Stretching your mind

Brick 5: Give or Contribute – To Others

So, grab yourself a sheet of paper. Along the top write “Connection”, “Exercise”, “Time Out”, “Learning” and “Contribution” and draw a line down the page between each word. Now spend half and hour and write all the ways that you are currently filling each of the categories. Be honest. After you’ve done that… turn the page over… write the same headings at the top of the paper… then write all the ways you can think of to get all the connected, exercise.. etc. They don’t have to cost a lot, remember that. Happiness is not a commodity you buy… it’s a state of being. Seriously, spend some time on this and work out what’s realistic for you. Once you’ve done this exercise you’ll have a clear map that will provide you with ideas of what to do when you wanna bump up your happiness. Yeha! Go you happy bunny you!

Cheers,

 

Liz

 

(PS… Leave a reply below… I’d love to hear from ya!)

 

Bobby McFerrin’s – Don’t Worry Be Happy

Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy”…

WOW!

Why Is Happiness So Elusive?

Many people talk of happiness! It’s almost as if it’s the latest craze! Actually… you know what? It is! For countless years people have suffered! As a society we’ve gotten more and more stressed, more and more refined in what we eat, faster and faster in what we do, fatter and fatter our size, bigger and bigger in what we drive and louder and louder in how we tell others how poor, stressed or unhappy we are!

ENOUGH!

Today’s message is going to be a slap in the face for some of you. BUT… it’s a slap in the face with absolute love and respect for who you are now… and for who you are able to be if you JUST CHOOSE be happy.

Firstly, I want to set the groundwork in place so you can completely understand why Liz Benny is blogging WAY more directly today. I have recently come through an incredibly stressful, sucky, crappy week. It SUCKED. It hurt. It felt like crap BUT… I had a CORE happiness with me that never left. I was happy IN SPITE of the absolute SH*T situation I was experiencing. I was still drinking coffee, reading, talking to friends and goofing off. Now, this blog is NOT a “Ra Ra” blog of how I “got through” that situation – that’s for another day, another book or another call.

This blog is about choosing happiness in spite of money, relationship, health, wealth, the weather or the freaking colour your kitchen is painted. Seriously! Make a freaking choice to be freaking happy. That’s where it starts!

CHOOSING!

CHOOSING TO BE HAPPY IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCES – (Just in case you didn’t “get it” the first time).

Choosing to be happy is step one! Taking action to be happy is step two… and you’ll find countless ways and means and tips to be happy here at www.TogetherBeHappy.com. It’s your happy site. It’s your “tool kit” so to speak.

With absolute love and respect,

Liz

 

THE Most Amazing Run – The DIRTY TRUTH

THE Most Amazing Run – The DIRTY TRUTH

OMG… It’s going to COST the earth!

OMG… It’s going to COST the earth!