The Top 10 Ways We Stand in Our Own Sunshine

One of the easiest ways to ensure that our junk stays out of our trunk is to daily ask ourselves, "Am I standing in my own sunshine? Standing in our own sunshine simply means to block the possibilities of healing, revelation, appreciation, and obviously personal growth and movement to the destination that many seem to be chasing, happiness, a.k.a., "Destination Joyful." Before beginning your day, look over the following list as a way to help you not stand in your own sunshine.

1: One way we stand in our own sunshine is by being overcome by our need to share our troubles. We talk, talk, talk like a volcano getting ready to erupt, blocking any possibility for a solution to our troubles to enter in. There's a reason we were given TWO ears and one mouth. When we stop talking and learn to listen, we ultimately are blessed with a new perspective.

2: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is we over-think everything. Instead of enjoying mental sobriety, we engage in emotional sickness and that takes away from being able to fully participate in happiness, a.k.a. Destination Joyful.

3: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is by looking too far ahead. We justify it by saying we're just trying to plan and be prepared. The problem is we're so busy looking ahead that we miss the "now" because we don't know how to just be in the moment.

4: Another way we stand in our own sunshine and cast a heavy shadow upon ourselves is thinking that we have control over things that we do not. The sooner we let go, the sooner we will be free of the bondage of delusion, making "Destination Joyful" obtainable.

5: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is listening to our fears. When we listen to our fears even a little bit, they tend to dictate our actions, and we begin to spiral downward, into the pool of dysfunction and misery.

6: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is by forgetting to count our blessings. We are so busy concentrating on what we don't have and/or what we want that we're not mindful of all that we are rich in.

7: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is by being critical of others. We tear down instead of build up, but if we were to practice the opposite, the sun that radiates in the smile of others would remind us to get out of our own sunshine.

8: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is being ruled by our pride. Oftentimes the quickest way back to harmony is found in one word: "Sorry."

9: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is by basing what we do on what others may or may not think to the point that we lose ourselves.

10: Another way we stand in our own sunshine is by not feeding our faith which is what helps us stand by our convictions.

Evinda Lepins has firsthand knowledge and experience in unpacking the junk in her own trunk. Her heart is to help others unpack their junk and arrive at their "Destination Joyful." She uses her writing and public speaking as ways to help others accomplish this. To find out more about Evinda and "The Men In & Out of Her Life," the first of the "Destination? Joyful!" trilogy, please visit her at http://www.chicklitpower.c