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Taking delight in life is easier said than done nowadays. But the expression 'taking delight' requires action on the doers part. To 'take charge' is to control a situation. To 'take delight' would be to control the delight that you experience as a person. So, how would a person go about taking delight in life, you may ask.

"Take time to smell the flowers." "Live in the moment." These two popular expressions are both pointing to a deceleration of the way we perceive our lives from moment to moment throughout our days. When on the phone doing business, do you appreciate the fact that you have wireless technology that not only allows you to roam about your home multi tasking, but also allows you to take care of calls while at the grocery store or while taking a walk? Do you enjoy the ability to hear? Or while walking, do you think about what it would be like if you didn't have use of your legs?

There are so many things to be thankful for and happy about each and every day. But if you don't take the extra effort to recognize what you have or what you are able to do and only consider the sad truths surrounding you, delight or joy will pass you by.

Many therapists, (and Oprah) will recommend waking up and second only to emptying your bladder, suggest writing down 10 things that you have to be happy about. I did this for about a month 8 years ago, and I now have a pretty good habit of at least trying to see my glass as half full instead of half empty most of the time. If I find myself so down that I don't even want to find anything good in anything, and yes that DOES happen occasionally, I force good thoughts through that miserable barracade of negativity. My first thought that is guaranteed to break through that gloomy invisible forcefield is my 3 children. Second, my loving husband. Then I begin to consider the things I have that others aren't as lucky to have such as our health, the roof over my family's heads, the food in our fridge, the cars in our driveway and the clothes on our backs. We have phones, utilities, hot running water, a laptop, 3 cats and a bearded dragon. I look to the blue sky and see white clouds with a warming, therapeutic sun shining down. Slowly, my self induced, depressing forcefield is lifted and good, delightful thoughts start flowing readily, filling my soul with an enlightenment that nothing can remove. I've TAKEN delight in my life. I've taken control of the feelings I will or will not allow myself to feel.

We all have things to take delight in. It's just a matter of what you "see" and being happy with what it is you have in the here and now. Turn yourself around. Literally stop, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and picture something that you have to be happy about. When you open your eyes, you may just notice the smell of the flowers.

Learn more about this author, Kelly White.
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