Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life...It's Time to Do Some Cleaning

This year, March 21 marks the 20th anniversary of my father's death. Knowing his time left on this Earth was short, before he died, he shared his wishes to have his funeral service held at dawn. He explained how he felt that holding it at the beginning of a new day would symbolize a new beginning. It seemed only appropriate that he died on the first day of spring, in the early morning hours...a new beginning.

Each spring reminds me of his attitude. The anticipation of something new. The beginning. The old expression "Today is the first day of the rest of your life" reverberates with me in the spring more than any other time of year. I challenge you today to do a mental "spring cleaning." People make New Year's resolutions to lose weight, to save money, to quit bad habits...let the spring time be your time to clean out the brain clutter that prevents you from living the happiest, most fulfilled life you can.

Take some time over the next few weeks to ponder what really makes you happy. What keeps you from happiness? What can you do right now to gain more happiness and fulfillment?

This looks like different things for different people. For me, here are three things I have done to help me find my happiness. Get inspiration from these--or find your own. Pursue it with passion.

1. Find your mantra. For me, I needed to deal with anxiety. My mantra is simply, "Breathe." In the midst of a crushing crisis, a dear friend said, "Stop. Breathe." I took a deep breath and another and another. In that moment, calmness washed over me. When life overwhelms me, I turn to that simple word: Breathe.

2. Don't wait on your dreams. For years, I always thought, "One day when I win the lottery, I'm going to paint in a studio by the ocean." Thankfully, a friend of mine offered a painting class. With a little encouragement, I decided to try it out. To my surprise, it is something that I enjoy immensely. I may not paint in a studio by the ocean, but I paint. And it brings me joy. Go after that "some day" dream. It may not be exactly the way you envision it, but go after it anyway.

My first painting...see more at Deb McDonough Art.

3. Take care of yourself. So often, I find I focus on other people's needs and wants, pushing my own to the side. While this can work short-termed, in the long run, this can drain the happiness from you. Taking care of yourself can be committing to eating better, getting exercise through a walk in your neighborhood and noticing the sights and sounds around you. It can mean reaching out to a friend and making the time to spend with them for an hour or two. It can mean asking for help when you need it and not taking on everything yourself. It can be saying "no" when it's not helping you reach your goal of happiness. Take care of yourself, without apology. You are important.

Thinking back to my dad's final wishes to have a new beginning, I am grateful that I didn't wait until my life was over to start pursuing my happiness. Do some spring cleaning...pursue your happiness...now.

Debbie McDonough is a mom to two great kids, ages 10 and 13 and wife to her husband of 15 years, Matt. She works full time as a first grade teacher. In addition to writing, she loves painting, reading and finding the perfect cup of coffee.