Wed 20 Aug 2008
We all want to be happy. To that end, we pursue all sorts of things: money, love, fame, fancy cars, sex, plasma-screen TVs. We use external forces as a barometer to our happiness. If we ONLY had a better job… we’d be happy. If we ONLY had more money… we’d be happy. If we ONLY lost 30 pounds… we’d be happy.
When we focus on external things to make us happy, we miss the most basic key to happiness there is: us.
We also confuse happiness with pleasure. We often have experiences that aren’t “pleasant”. No one would find pleasure in having cancer, for example. Or even in dealing with a flat tire during rush hour. Many things in life can be distinctly unpleasant—dental drills, for example.
But happiness is different. I see happiness as feeling joy or contentment when we reflect on our life, whether remembering the past, enjoying the present or planning the future. Happiness is about living our own lives, in our own way, with integrity and purpose, and being fully present and involved in the glorious uncertainty of wondering what’s coming next. Happy people know their life is perfect just the way it is. They’re living the life they were meant to live; that’s happiness.
Here are my top 3 rules about living in happiness.
1. Pay attention to what makes you happy. Whatever it is, do more of it. If playing golf makes you happy, do more of it. If walking your dog makes you happy, do more of that (your dog will love you for it). Whatever it is, spend more time doing things that make you happy and it’ll spill over into the rest of your life.
2. Embrace your happiness. Happiness isn’t something you’re going to get “someday”—it’s your life right now. Practice gratitude, be optimistic, and make laughter a regular part of your day. All those things will increase your happiness quotient.
3. Learn to be happy. Spend time in self-reflection and self-development. The more at ease you are with yourself, and the more comfortable you are in your own skin, the greater your level of happiness.
What are some things that you’ve learned about happiness?
My Facebook
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
It always amazes me how many people focus on the results…when the real change has to be made in the roots (yes, I freely admit that I picked that up from T Harv Eckler.).
If you want to be happy, you cannot focus on the an object or what someone else can do. That is abdicating your role, your responsability to yourself. If you want to be happy…be happy!
Focus on the good in your life. What makes you happy now? Start a journal, write about one thing that makes/made you happy every day. Gradually, this will start to change your outlook.
Like will attract like. If you are happy…more happiness comes. If you believe you have abundance, more abundance comes. If you believe you HAVE a great job…a better one comes.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
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