原文: Life Doesn’t Have to Be Miserable!

So many of us, myself included, get caught up in life. We move from one thing to another, doing all the things we think we “should” do or have to do. And we never stop to think that there might be another, more pleasurable way, to skin that cat in front of us.

What made me think of this is a belly dancing class I signed up for. It’s completely fun and silly and you know what? It tightens your abs! Who knew you didn’t have to do boring sit-ups in order to get your tummy in shape. That little revelation got me thinking of all the other areas of our life where we just keep doing things the same old way even if it is drudgery because we think life has to be hard. But here’s the news flash: Life Doesn’t Have to Be Miserable! You can increase your enjoyment by making some simple changes.

So here is a listing of some areas that might feel like obligatory hardships followed by some alternatives to consider to make your life more enjoyable.

Say Goodbye to:	Say Hello to:
Sit-ups and Crunches.	Yoga, belly dancing, latin dancing, walking.
Exercising on a Treadmill.	Have Fun Exercising! Get outside! Try walking, jogging, tennis, dancing to your favorite music, or other favorite sports. Exercise is allowed to be fun!
Being Serious all the time, especially at work…or at home…or anywhere!	Laugh, Smile, & Have Fun. Make a point to include laughter in your day. Make a point to smile. Put a reminder and a mirror at your desk so you don’t forget! Get a joke buddy that you call each day to share a joke or funny story.
Work Til You Drop.	Shorter Workdays and Scheduled Play. What you make time for is what gets done, so SCHEDULE in some PLAY time!
Austere Painful Diets.	Cheats in Moderation. There are several ways to work this: Eat what you want, but only in moderation. Have one day per week be a complete cheat day where you can eat anything you want with some moderation. One small cheat per day. Keep your diet enjoyable and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Hating Your Body. A lot of women spend their whole life this way. What a waste of time and how unkind! Are there any men who feel this way?	Appreciate and Love Your Amazing Body. Get in touch with your body by having a gratitude session devoted just to realizing and being thankful for all the things that different parts of your body do for you everyday. How amazing are our hearts, feet, minds, nervous system, hands, eyes, lymph system, and more?! It’s high time we start to love our bodies! Think of role models who love their body no matter the size and assume that confidence too!
Recurring Arguments. Why, oh, why do I always get into the same arguments?	Stop the Argument Cycle! Click here to read more about how to changing your expectations and perspective can change these destructive patterns.
Living a Life of “Shoulds.” I should do this, I should do that. Stop “shoulding” all over yourself.	Live the Life of Your Dreams! Plan the life you want today. Click here for an amazing free life goal workbook ! (free excel spreadsheet download). Planning your life is fun. Just take it one step at a time and have fun!
Living in the Empty Part of the Glass.	Notice That the Glass is Half Full. Realize that much of what’s there is great. Try for one day to be grateful for every little thing in your day and your life. Watch your happiness soar! And then make it a daily habit!
Telling Your Kids or Your Spouse, “I don’t have time right now. I’ll play later.”	Play Today! Even if you are a very busy person, take small breaks to play with your children. Try 15 minutes here and there. Involve them in housework. With your spouse, be sure to set up date-nights on some regular basis. Why not enjoy life? When you look back on your life, you’ll be glad you did!
Working at a Job That Is Not Your Passion.	Discover Your Dream Job or Reconnect with the Meaningfulness of Your Current Job. There are times in all of our lives when we need to work at things that are not our passion. That’s ok, but always have your plan in place towards getting your dream job. Barbara Sher writes great books about doing this. Sometimes we lose sight of our love for our job. If that’s the case for you then try to re-discover that meaning in your current job.
Staying in a Bad Relationship Because You’re Afraid to Be Alone.	Embrace Your Inner Strength. Don’t live out of fear. Live out of your strength. Know that it is there. Discover how you can be happy on your own. I’m not saying run away simply if you’re bored, but if your relationship is not healthy for you, find support from someone to help you move forward with your life. Move towards the good things you want and deserve.
Letting a Good Relationship Wither from Complacency.	Appreciate and Nourish Good Relationships. Think about the good relationships in your life. Ask yourself, “What could I do to care for this relationship more?” And then do it! You know you’re smiling thinking of some things you could do! Let us know what they are!
Being Chronically Exhausted.	Discover Maximum Energy! Stop the energy zappers in your life. Get more sleep, cut back on caffeine, get some exercise, cut out excess sugar, meditate, and enjoy life more.
Never Any Time for Yourself.	Schedule a ME Day. Try this once per quarter or even once a month. Plan a day or afternoon where you only do things for yourself. Get that massage you’ve been dreaming of for the last 6 months. Maybe ice fishing would be your idea of fun. Whatever it is, do it!
Zombie Mode. No creative expression. Too much TV or video games. Same old, same old.	Unleash Your Creativity. OK, maybe you think you have no creative talent, but assume for today that you do. I’m telling you, you have creative talent. Now, go ahead and write that song you’ve dreamed of writing. Practice that dusty guitar. Carve something out of a bar of soap. Go buy a massive canvas and paint a spectacular naive painting. No self-judging, just express yourself and have fun!
SPENDERS: Stop Running Up Your Credit Card Bills.	Enjoy the Simple Pleasures in Life. Instead of the heavy burden that comes with an overabundance of possessions, enjoy things that are free for a change. Take in a sunset, a walk in nature, time with friends and family, or low cost entertainment like renting DVD’s. When you feel the urge to buy more and fill up your house, ask yourself, “Do I really need this? What can I do that will make me feel good instead of buying something?”
FRUGAL FANATICS: Stop Denying Yourself.	Treat Yourself Every Once in a While. If you always deny yourself, you are always frugal and careful with money, allow yourself a mad money day every once in a while where you buy that one thing or service you consider a true luxury or extravagance. You deserve it!

I hope that these ideas prompt you to take a little more enjoyment from life starting today! I’m going to try too! I think I’ll be belly dancing, playing more guitar, and playing with my son some more! How about you?

Please Share!

How do you choose to make life more enjoyable? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

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译文: 生活不必如此痛苦

许多人，包括我在内，为生活所困。我们总是去做一些我们认为需要做或不得不做的事情，一件接着一件地做，没完没了。我们也从来不会不会停下来想想，可能可以找到一种愉快的方法来处理我们所要面对的问题。

我想到这点，就要归功于我所报的肚皮舞舞蹈班了。跳肚皮舞那是相当的有趣，当然也有点傻，你知道吗？它能让你的腹部收紧哦！谁能想到，你不用做讨厌的仰卧起坐来塑造腹部线条。这个小启示呢，就让我想到我们生活中所有的其他领域---我们做事情总是按老思路进行，不去变新，即使是苦差事也硬着头皮这样去做，因为我们都认为生活本身就很艰难。但现在告诉你新发现哦：生活没有必要活得这么痛苦！只要你适当做一些小改变呢，你就可以有更多的乐趣了。

所以下面呢，就列了一张在许多领域我们可能感觉大障碍的表格，你可以看看两边的对比来考虑下把自己的生活变得更有乐趣呢。。

 

对这些说再见：	来，说hi吧
仰卧起坐和收肚皮	瑜伽，肚皮舞，拉丁舞，步行
骑单车	做些有趣的运动吧！去户外走走！试试散步，慢跑，网球，跟着你喜欢的音乐跳舞，或者选些你认为有趣的运动都行哦！
一天到晚一脸严肃，尤其是上班时。。或在家中。。或哪都一样板着个脸。	大笑，微笑，&调侃调侃：在每天中都定个时间让自己大笑。再定个时间对自己微笑。设置一个闹钟，在桌旁放张镜子，你就不会忘记了。找一个牛皮大王，每天通通电话互相讲讲笑话或有趣的故事。
工作到挂	把工作时间缩短，加点娱乐项目.你制定时间安排呢是要完成所作的事情。所以呢，在你的日程安排里加些娱乐时间。
糟糕痛苦的饮食	适量好好对待自己的胃：有很多方法可以做到这点：吃自己想吃的东西，但是要适度哦。每周选一天好好犒劳下自己的胃，吃自己想吃的东西，但要适度哦，然后每天也好好开开荤。好好对自己的胃，你会慢慢发现你会爱上这种感觉。.
讨厌自己的身体：许多女人一生都这样认为。多浪费时间啊，与人于己都不好！男人有这么认为的么？	欣赏并爱自己独特的身体：每天都怀着感恩的心情来看待自己的身体，以感恩的心态对待身体的每一个部分，它们每天都为你正常运转。我们的心，足，思维，神经系统，手，眼睛，淋巴都是如此的奇妙啊。
无止境的争吵：为什么？为什么总是每次都为同一个理由争吵不休？	停止争吵这个循环圈！点击这来多了解一些关于改变自己的期望值和观点是怎么让你告别这个坏习惯的。
活在“应该做，将要做”的圈子：我应该做这个，我应该做那个。停止你的“应该做”的思想吧。	为梦想而活吧！今天就来展望下你想要的生活吧。点击这里看看奇妙轻松生活目标指南书！（免费的Excel格式下载）。每次前进一步，开心面对。
生活在空杯状态.	注意，水杯要是半满状态。要意识到杯子要多满才好。尝试一天，去为你生活中每一件小事多费点心。在关注下你的幸福指数，然后你就可以让它成为日常习惯了。
告诉你的小孩和配偶，“我现在没时间。晚点再和你们玩。”	现在就玩起来！即使你是个大忙人，还是抽一点点时间和你的孩子们玩吧。尽量抽个15分钟和他们一起干干家务。对于配偶呢，定期地约会约会，一起共进晚餐。为什么不享受生活？当你回顾自己的生活，你会对自己以前所做到感到幸福。
对自己的工作无激情可言。	了解自己理想的工作是怎样的，或者是对现有工作想想其有何深度。生活中我们总会碰到一些事情我们并不那么充满激情。不要紧的。但你总要朝着理想工作有目标地前进。Barbara Sher关于此就写了本很好的著作。有时我们对自己所爱的工作蒙蔽了双眼。如果你属于这种情况的话，你就要在你现有的工作中重新去发现它的意义所在了。
因为害怕孤独，处在一个不好的人际关系中。	激发自己的内心力量。不要活在惧怕中。信靠自己的力量，要知道心中是有力量的。去发现自己怎样能发掘幸福。我并不是说在你感动无聊时，单纯地逃壁，但如果你的情境并不是很健全，那就找个人来支持你，提供你走下去的动力。朝着你想要的美好的事物前进。
凋零了一段美好的感情。	对美好的感情充满感恩并珍惜它。想象生活中的好的关系。问问自己，“要更深入关心这份感情，应该怎么做？”然后，就去做！你要明白，你正笑着思考你能做的事情！让我们知道你要做的是什么。
长期感到疲惫	挖掘最大的能量！停止使用生活中的提神的东西。多点睡眠，少喝些咖啡，多做运动，不摄取过量的糖类，多思考，并享受生活。
向来没有自己的时间。	制定张只属于自己的时间表：试试看安排一季度一次，甚至是一个月一次。计划好一天或一个下午，只总自己想做的事情。想想自己6个月以来连做梦都想做的事情。或者你觉得钓鱼非常有趣。不管是什么，尽管去做吧！
静止模式：没有创新理念。总是沉浸在电视或视频游戏中。一成不变，一成不变。.	释放你的创造力。好吧，或许你认为自己没有创造天分，但你可以想象自己有的。现在呢，你就去创作一首你一直梦想着去写的歌。再弹弹铺满灰尘的吉他。在肥皂上用木棍雕刻个多系。去买块帆布，画些天真的画。不评判自己，只是表达自己的想法，并感受那份快乐。
挥霍：停止在加增信用卡账单	享受简单生活的乐趣。享受些免费的乐趣拉力取代拥有过多东西所带来的承重负担。去看看日落，在大自然中走走，与朋友和家人待在一块，或者有些低消费娱乐比如说租DVD看。当你想多买些东西去填充房子，你就要问自己，“我真的需要这个吗？除了购物，还有什么能让我感觉良好呢？”
节约狂：不再拒绝自己	隔三差五地款待下自己。如果你总是拒绝自己，如果你用钱总是很节俭，很小心，也偶尔允许自己挥霍一把，去买些你认为比较奢侈的东西或相应服务。你值得拥有它！

 

我希望，在今天开始之际，这些观点能够带给你多一些的乐趣！我自己也会去尝试！我认为我还会去跳肚皮舞，多弹弹吉他，多花些时间和我的儿子玩玩！你呢？会怎么做呢？

 

一起分享吧！ 

你会怎么做使生活更有乐趣呢？不管是大意见，小意见，都欢迎说说。

 

如果你觉得这篇文章有价值，善良的你或许会想给我们投上一票，用“stumble”或”Delicious”来标注。只要你投票，我们都将十分感激。