Define Happiness
What is your definition of a happy life? Are you living it? Think carefully on this because your definition of happiness will influence every other significant decision in your life. For example, if you think happiness is outside you, you will make happiness into a search, a catch, or a reward that you must earn. If, however, you know happiness is inside you then happiness becomes a compass, a teacher, and an enabler that helps you to live your best life.
Accept Yourself
Without self-acceptance, you will limit and block how much happiness, prosperity, love, and success you will enjoy. The miracle of self-acceptance is that if you are willing to accept that happiness already exists in you, you will begin to experience more happiness around you.
Follow Your Joy
There is a world of difference between searching for happiness and following your joy. Following your joy is about listening to your heart’s desires, noticing what truly inspires you, and recognizing your soul’s purpose. A good starting point is to reflect on the question “When am I at my happiest?”
Choose Happiness
Try to find the place in your mind where you have already decided how good today will be, how good this year will be, how good your life will be. Are you happy with your decision? Set a positive intention right now to let today be even more enjoyable than you thought it was going to be.
Free Happiness
A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything. If you think money will buy you happiness, you will go shopping for the rest of your life and never be completely satisfied. To enjoy some free happiness, make a list of everything in your life that costs no money and is totally priceless - like laughter, friendship, meditation, air, kindness, and the stars at night.
Love Someone
To be happy, all you have to do is be the most loving person you can be. People who give their best time, energy, and attention to their most important relationships experience more happiness. Stop the busyness, and think about who you would like to spend more time with, acknowledge more, and have more fun with.
Forgive NOW
Sometimes in order to be happy now you have to be willing to give up all hopes for a better past. Living happily ever after starts with forgiveness. You can’t keep carrying a grievance and hope to be happy. Happiness is a gift you give yourself because it sets you free.
Vocal Gratitude
Say out loud three things you are grateful for. Do this right now, before you go on reading this article. Gratitude is often referred to as the shortest shortcut to happiness. The more grateful you are, the happier you will feel.
Beware Martyrdom
A martyr believes they have to sacrifice themselves and happiness in order to enjoy the good things in life. When you try to play the martyr, you lose and so does everyone else. Be kind to yourself. Life always gets better when you treat yourself better.
Be Present
Living in the “not now” is a chief cause of unhappiness. In the English language, the word “present” has three distinct meanings: “here”, “now” and “a gift”. The more present you are in each moment, the more happiness you will find. Happiness is where you are.
by Robert Holden, Ph.D
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