“Much of our behavior is literally contagious; when you make positive changes in your own life, you are unconsciously shaping the behavior of an incredible number of people.”- The Happiness Advantage

This idea is incredibly important.  You want to make the world a better place?  You want people to be nice? More positive?  Do you want your kids to grow up to be healthy and happy?  Do you want your coworkers to smile more often?  Do you simply want to see positive differences?

The way to do this is to start with you.

You need to be healthier and happier.  You need to make the positive change in yourself.

Change the only thing you are responsible for and, quite frankly, the only thing you have control over- Yourself.  

People always say “you are a product of your own environment.”  And in some instances that is completely true (mostly subconsciously).

But I feel like that thought can be dangerous; it takes the responsibility off the individual.

If I’m just a product of something else then it’s not my fault I am unhappy, lazy, zoned out, depressed, angry.

That’s a bunch of crap.  You aren’t on earth to simply exist as a product.  You are meant to be the producer.  The one whose morals and beliefs are permeating the community around you.  The one who is affecting change.

You CAN make the change you want to see in the world.  But you have to start with YOU.  And it’s not going to be easy.  In fact, it is much easier to be the product- to let your surroundings shape you and form your personality, shape, moral compass, beliefs.  Being mindless is a piece of cake.  Being mindful?  That’s the challenge!

But it’s a challenge I believe all of us can take on.

So today I challenge you to improve you.  However you see fit.  Whether that’s going for a run, doing yoga, taking on a new skill, stepping outside your comfort zone, calling an old friend, letting go of a grudge, meditating, uncluttering your house, or joining my friend Calvin’s 100 Club (100 days to learn a new skill).

Whatever you may choose, just step up to the plate.  You got this.  You rock!