Finding Happiness
Ways To Find Happiness
Happiness is a state of one’s mind involving positive emotions.
Even though each of us might define happiness differently, what we do have in common, is we all want it.
You don’t have to look for it. You do not even have to chase it.
Happiness, in truth, lies within yourself, starting from you and ending in you.
In its simplest essence, happiness is about being your true self. While other people try to look for happiness through their wealth, career, money, and success, happiness is something that you choose for yourself.
Take a moment to think about it… whenever you’ve been sad, angry, or upset, was it because you wanted to feel that way, or did you allow external things or people to influence your emotions? Soul-searching? Yes! The truth be told, you, alone, have control over your feelings.
So, what are the basics of happiness?
Here are four things that you can start with to bring happiness into your life every day.
Be in Control and Take Possession
Your body is composed of hundred trillion of cells, all of which are answerable to you, and you, alone. You are basically these cells’ commander-in-chief and they are working constantly not for the benefit of other people, but only for your own benefit. For these cells, you are the only person that exists. To start on your journey to happiness, you first need to be in control of these cells, take possession and be responsible for these cells for in so doing; you also become the master of both your mind and body.
Be Yourself
Newborn babies practically share the same level of happiness the moment they have been given birth to this world. However, their happiness level starts to change once they get older. One basic rule to becoming happy is for you to remember that your fundamental nature is soft, vibrant
Be Grateful
At the end of your day, take a moment to reflect on all the good that you’ve accomplished that day. Be consciously aware of the things you’re grateful for — a roof over your head, food on your table, being alive, your kids, your partner — they don’t have to be anything earth-shattering, just the simple things in life is a good start. You’ll be amazed at how much happier you feel if you keep on reflecting on what you’re grateful for every day.
Laugh Every Day
Make yourself laugh at least once a day. Read a joke. Or, just laugh out loud as if you just heard the best joke ever!
I’ve laughed out loud whiles driving, with my windows rolled up! Who cares if you’re seen or overheard and people think you are crazy?
When you laugh, you release a happy hormone called oxytocin. It’s a hormone that uplifts us as we share experiences with others.
Okay! You don’t like to laugh out loud, then try smiling. Just make yourself smile it will put you in a better place.
Volunteer
Give your time or talent.
Volunteering allows you to focus on someone other than yourself — even if it’s for only a few hours.
You make new friendships, and experiences, and depending on where you volunteer, you realize that your own problems may not be that bad after all.
VoluntYou’ll be amazed at how happy you’ll feel.
Take Time to Meditate
Practicing mindfulness is “strongly related” to happiness, a positive state of mind, and reduced stress, various studies have found. This is not earth-shattering news but does confirm other studies that indicate medication meditation may increase your capacity for happiness and reduce your propensity towards negativity.
Meditation is a habit that may come easily to some. I have been meditating for over five years, but there were many days I found myself slipping. These days, not so much, not since I completed the no-cost Action Habits Challenge by Connie Ragen Green, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, independent publisher, and serial entrepreneur. You can check it out here.
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” — Aristotle
This article was originally published on my site at https://donnapresents.com/finding-happiness/.
When I was first introduced to meditation one of the things I did was to try to find and get as many free audios and videos to put on my phone, so I could immerse myself in meditating on my daily walks.
One I found most useful and still listen to from time to time is The World of Relaxation: A Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practice for Healing in the Hospital and/or at Home hosted by Jon Kabat-Zinn, professor of medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he was founding executive director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, and founder (in 1979) and former director of its world-renown Stress Reduction Clinic. If you’d like to have your own MP3 at no cost, you can get it here.
I’m Donna SLam, who loves to blog about how meditation brings self-compassion, peace of mind, and clarity to my life and others by sharing tips and strategies to live a fulling and purposeful life. I enjoy championing others to lead a healthy and happy life through meditation, walking, self-development, and spending time with loved ones.
