One Dozen Timeless Ways to be Happy!
Our
passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities
all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives.
Some find happiness in their careers while others find ways to be happy
in their marriages or other relationships.
No matter how you
define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and
time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your
life. The following one dozen timeless ways to be happy can be adapted
and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will
become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more
happiness, joy and peace into your life.
Notice What’s Right
Some
of us see the glass as being half-full and others see the glass as
half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how
nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a
problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big
idea. The next time you get in the slow line at the grocery store, take
the opportunity to pick up a tabloid magazine and do some “guilty
pleasure” reading. Take all that life throws out you and reframe it
with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will
more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to begin to notice
what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes.
Be Grateful
How
many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times
do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying
the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be
grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and
happiness.
Remember the Kid You Were
Do
you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf
or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you
were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the
bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way
to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and
play!
Be Kind
There
is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a
significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to
perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we
make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can
experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives.
Spend Time with Your Friends
Although
an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it
does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your
friends and make the friendships a priority in your life.
Savor Every Moment
To
be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking
ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives,
not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are
savoring the happiness in our lives.
Rest
There
are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it
simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time,
as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural
pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and
exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or
notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest.
Move!
The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but
a feeling or a state of
mind - a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical
exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as
fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase
your happiness is to move!
Put on a Happy Face
Sometimes
we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be
honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need
to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that
smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier.
Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can
experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.
Pursue Your Goals
The
absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue
our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit
of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our
careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life
full of passion and enthusiasm. Pursue your goals and watch your
happiness soar.
Finding Your Calling
Some
find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in
their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than
accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but
having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can
perhaps bring the greatest joy of all.
Get into the Flow
Flow
is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so
absorbed in an activity we love that we can lose ourselves and time
seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To
find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the
sidelines and get into the flow.
And two more just to sweeten the pot a little more.
Play to Your Strengths
One
way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths
and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware
of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better
incorporate them in all aspects of our lives.
Don’t Overdo It
Know
when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may
not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to
feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an
expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and
don’t overdo it.
Learning to be happy on all the days between.
