March 28th, 2022
by Kim Myles
As the song goes, “If you’re happy and you know it…”. Many spend their lives in the pursuit of happiness. However, they miss their target because they’re searching in the wrong places. Happiness is not something you seek. It’s a state of being.
If you get into the habit of practicing these following examples, it will help you gain insight on how to zero in on the things that make you feel good. You deserve it. Be happy and give yourself something to clap about.
1. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Happy people feel negative emotions too, but they don’t linger in them for long. It’s not possible to experience happiness if you are holding on to feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or shame. Only one emotion can be dominant at a time.
“Happiness cannot come from hatred or anger. Nobody can say, ‘Today I am happy because this morning I was angry.’ On the contrary, people feel uneasy and sad and say, ‘Today I am not very happy, because I lost my temper this morning.’”
Dalai Lama
It’s important to practice releasing things which are counter-productive to your growth. As a habit, cheerful individuals rarely hold grudges or spend their time seeking revenge.
2. Self-Love
Happiness is elusive to those who don’t appreciate who they are. You find inner peace when you can accept your best and worse qualities. By loving yourself, you give yourself permission to be happy.
3. Smile
When you are happy, it shows. You rarely see angry people who walk around smiling. Smiling is a physical manifestation of pleasure. People who smile draw others in. They’re the ones others would likely feel comfortable approaching.
“Smiling is considered the trait of a happy individual. People feel more open when they’re interacting with someone who smiles. If you are in a position where you need to greet people, it gives the feeling that you are cordial and friendly to talk to.”
Why a Smile is More than a Universal Welcome
Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
4. Do What You Love
Many individuals are unhappy with their jobs or spend their time doing for everyone but themselves. Those who are content put their needs first. It’s important to take the time to do things you enjoy doing. This helps to keep your spirits uplifted.
Some might think it’s selfish to pursue your dreams or goals. It’s not, especially if it makes you happy. Life is a gift. More so, you would do yourself a huge disservice if you didn’t make the most of it.
5. Appreciate
You find less to complain about if you appreciate the little things in life. Appreciation promotes contentment. You are better able to direct your moods when you focus on the positive qualities of a situation or person rather than on the negative. Make it a habit to look for the beauty in people, places, or things despite their presentations.
6. Don’t Rely on Others for Emotional Security
Most people don’t go around polling others to decide if they should be joyful. It is a personal choice. You’ll choose it, aside from what those around you are saying, doing, or feeling.
“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you.”
Lao Tzu Chinese Philosopher
It’s one thing to lean on people for support, but it’s another to use them as emotional crutches. Crutches aren’t for long-term use. Learning to walk on your own is the path to happiness.
7. Be You
Self-expression is important to your happiness. If a person has to restrict or limit parts of themselves, it could cause them to feel uncomfortable in their own skin. There’s no coincidence people feel better when they get things off their chest, so to speak.
Your uniqueness deserves to be celebrated. Honor yourself by appreciating the qualities you possess. In doing so, you take happiness into your own hands.
8. Endurance
The most jovial of people experience setbacks. The difference between them and depressed people is they don’t let life’s tough moments steal their joy. They hold on to it.
“Humans are cowards in the face of happiness. It takes courage to hold on to happiness.”
Novala Takemoto, Author
9. Live in the Moment
Worrying causes you to lose sight of actuality. Considering all the what ifs is useless if they never happen. When you’re happy, you practice the power of now. You’re not waiting around for that new car, raise, trip, or relationship to find joy.
If they don’t arrive, does that mean happiness won’t either? There isn’t much to wait for when you live in the present.
10. Laugh it Off
“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road.”
Henry Ward Beecher
Life has much to offer to those who can laugh at themselves or with others. You develop a better attitude toward life if you don’t take things too personally. Having a sense of humor definitely helps to get you through its tougher times.
Laughter helps to ease tension. It also can help to keep you going on your journey. It’s easier to get back up if you can laugh it off when you fall down.
What makes you happy?
Leave a reply in the comment section below.
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