Have you ever wondered how to be happier?
This is something I was meaning to write about. Because of my close relation with my sister, and inspired by that I found the drive to do it and share it with you…
A month ago I went to my favorite book store looking at the “Self-Improvement” section. I was searching for a book about HAPINNESS, and I found a good one, entitled: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill - Written by Mathieu Ricard, and for-worded by Daniel Goleman. After reading its pages and thinking about what the author expressed on Happiness, I was motivated to share it in my blog. Well to do so, I did more research and found other tips and ideas to practice in the search of happiness. In the next lines I will share with you some of the ideas I got from the book and other material.
Let’s start by defining “Happiness”: From the book this is what the author describes about happiness: “Happiness means an exceptionally healthy stage of mind. Not a feeling, not an emotion, mood, but an optimal stage of being” – (Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, Pg. 19). When I read that I agreed with the concept, and make me explore more about this subject. I will really agree that happiness is not a feeling, an emotion, or mood and goes beyond that. So here is my own thinking about what happiness means to me: Happiness - It is who we really are in the inside and what we project outside ourselves. It is basically a stay of mind where we understand the world the way it is, and find ways to make it better. In other words, happiness it does not mean that everything in our lives is perfect. It means that we have decided to look beyond the imperfections… Now I would like to ask you, What is happiness for you?
Besides the book I shared, here are some tips I highly recommend to keep in mind and follow:
1. Be Optimistic. No matter what happens, good or difficult, thinking positive is a great way to foster a good stage of mind. The world is not perfect, so enjoy all the imperfections and find them as a way of learning and growing.
2. Exercise. I am firm believer that endorphins make you feel better, and it will make you happy. Any kind of exercise like walking, running, dancing, doing yoga, swimming, etc.
3. Follow your Gut. Listen to your instincts, more than just waving facts and multiple options. Those are important, but trust also your feelings and your instincts so you can do what feels right. So next time you have a decision to make, and you’re down to two or three choices, just pick the one that feels right, and go with it. But never regret the decisions you make though. Here is a good tip: Use the 3 C’s of life: Choices, Chances, and Changes - You need to make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. That is a great approach!
4. Be Close to Family and Friends. Our relationships with friends and family have a greater impact on our happiness. It is important to have friends, and family supporting us and giving us comfort. However aim for the healthy relationships, those that help you grow, and feel appreciated regardless of who you are, and those that are not conflict oriented or energy draining.
5. Let Go of Grudges. This is a hard one. If people have hurt you, forgive them and let it go. People make mistakes, including ourselves. We want others to forgive us when we do wrong, so we need to forgive others. I have a great mentor who told me once: Keep your expectations of people realistic”. We will appreciate people much more when we lower our expectations of them. In the process of forgiving or letting it go, don’t forget to start with yourself. People, who are hard on others, are often hardest on themselves.
6. Find Happiness in What You Do or The Job You Have. If you have a positive outlook, you will make the best of any job, and if you have good relationships with people, you won’t depend on your job to give your life a greater sense of meaning. Now that doesn't mean you shouldn't aspire towards a job that will make you happier; it means you should understand that the capacity of your job to make you happy is quite small in comparison to your outlook on life and your relationships with people.
7. Smile. Science suggests that when you smile, whether you feel happy or not, your mood will be elevated. So smile as much as possible!
8. Share your happiness and express gratitude. Sharing, and expressing appreciation is Caring. Most likely people who are true to you will radiate back your happiness!
9. There is always something to be happy about. Whether it is a friend you’re so appreciative of, your current plans and projects, how far along you’re getting in school, there is always something to appreciate or be proud of in your life.
10. You can't always look at the negative side and just expect everything to turn out perfect. You have to make it happen! If you’re sad about something, then try to turn it around, find other ways to improve things, or try to do it better the next time.
Other Resources: Here is a great article that I recommend you to read from the BNET Report: % Scientifically Proven Ways to be Happier: http://www.bnet.com/blog/business-research/scientifically-proven-ways-to-be-happier/711?promo=713&tag=nl.e713
1. Be Optimistic. No matter what happens, good or difficult, thinking positive is a great way to foster a good stage of mind. The world is not perfect, so enjoy all the imperfections and find them as a way of learning and growing.
2. Exercise. I am firm believer that endorphins make you feel better, and it will make you happy. Any kind of exercise like walking, running, dancing, doing yoga, swimming, etc.
3. Follow your Gut. Listen to your instincts, more than just waving facts and multiple options. Those are important, but trust also your feelings and your instincts so you can do what feels right. So next time you have a decision to make, and you’re down to two or three choices, just pick the one that feels right, and go with it. But never regret the decisions you make though. Here is a good tip: Use the 3 C’s of life: Choices, Chances, and Changes - You need to make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. That is a great approach!
4. Be Close to Family and Friends. Our relationships with friends and family have a greater impact on our happiness. It is important to have friends, and family supporting us and giving us comfort. However aim for the healthy relationships, those that help you grow, and feel appreciated regardless of who you are, and those that are not conflict oriented or energy draining.
5. Let Go of Grudges. This is a hard one. If people have hurt you, forgive them and let it go. People make mistakes, including ourselves. We want others to forgive us when we do wrong, so we need to forgive others. I have a great mentor who told me once: Keep your expectations of people realistic”. We will appreciate people much more when we lower our expectations of them. In the process of forgiving or letting it go, don’t forget to start with yourself. People, who are hard on others, are often hardest on themselves.
6. Find Happiness in What You Do or The Job You Have. If you have a positive outlook, you will make the best of any job, and if you have good relationships with people, you won’t depend on your job to give your life a greater sense of meaning. Now that doesn't mean you shouldn't aspire towards a job that will make you happier; it means you should understand that the capacity of your job to make you happy is quite small in comparison to your outlook on life and your relationships with people.
7. Smile. Science suggests that when you smile, whether you feel happy or not, your mood will be elevated. So smile as much as possible!
8. Share your happiness and express gratitude. Sharing, and expressing appreciation is Caring. Most likely people who are true to you will radiate back your happiness!
9. There is always something to be happy about. Whether it is a friend you’re so appreciative of, your current plans and projects, how far along you’re getting in school, there is always something to appreciate or be proud of in your life.
10. You can't always look at the negative side and just expect everything to turn out perfect. You have to make it happen! If you’re sad about something, then try to turn it around, find other ways to improve things, or try to do it better the next time.
Other Resources: Here is a great article that I recommend you to read from the BNET Report: % Scientifically Proven Ways to be Happier: http://www.bnet.com/blog/business-research/scientifically-proven-ways-to-be-happier/711?promo=713&tag=nl.e713
Let’s take some action: Reflect on the following…
1. Do these tips and resources sound like guidelines you can follow in your own life?
2. Share what activities make you happy, and help you find a great balance in your life?
3. What else do you think should be on the list is shared with you?
1. Do these tips and resources sound like guidelines you can follow in your own life?
2. Share what activities make you happy, and help you find a great balance in your life?
3. What else do you think should be on the list is shared with you?
“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." - Martha Washington
Enjoy!
Speaking of Happiness, this blog has made me happy. Reading it has given me Goosebumps. I am printing your ten tips and putting them on my refrigerator as we speak. This is my third time viewing this blog post in the last few days and each time I take something new and helpful from it!!!
ReplyDeleteThank You for that comment Nakita. I am very happy to share it, and have you part of my blog. As always it has been a great pleasure knowing you, and working with you!
ReplyDeleteKisses to the baby :-)