How To Have A Happier Life
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."
― Dalai Lama XIV
We all want happiness. We all deserve to be happy. But the reality is that it is up to us to find our happiness. It's all in our control.
To achieve happiness, we have to avoid at all costs the things that will work against us, finding our joy in life. We need to get rid of those things that make us unhappy and then add in more of the things that will make us happy.
At one time or another, we have all been guilty of thinking that 'if only.' Yes, 'if only' I had this, or 'if only' I had done this. We want to blame all the 'if only's' in life for not being as happy as we think we should be. Get over that! How about 'if only' I worked on making my happiness?
Happiness is different for each one of us. What would make me happy or you happy most likely would not be someone else's choice.
Think about it if we ditch all the stuff that makes us unhappy, we should be a lot happier. Right? It makes sense to me.
So, what sort of things should we make sure to toss out? I am sure we'll have differing opinions on what makes us unhappy too. But maybe it's time to give it some serious thought and start eliminating those things. The shortlist below can get you started.
Things to get rid of-
Negative people have to go. Now, it's tricky when they happen to be family. I am joking, but then again, we all have that one family member that always seems only to see the negative in everything. Spending too much time with negative people can rub off on you.
Living in the past is no way to live. Let the past go. I am not in any way saying to let the good things go. But those things you feel you messed up or neglected let them go. Please keep the good memories and revisit them often. You can't change the past, but you can sure build yourself a bright, happy future. But living in the past is a waste of your time and will only dim your chances of happiness.
Stop putting the happiness of others over your happiness. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. Make yourself a priority!
Don't dwell on the things that create unhappiness. If something happens, that makes you unhappy. Just move on. Don't dwell on unfortunate moments that don't matter in the long run.
Things to do-
What one thing makes you happy? Or even two things. Whatever makes you happy, make sure those things are included in your daily routine.
Smile and smile often. Make it a habit to smile at people. Yes, even strangers. You might just make their day with your dazzling smile. And you know they will most likely smile back at you. Maybe that smile will make your day.
Coffee makes people happy every morning. So indulge. It gets you moving and boosts your alertness.
Remember to acknowledge the things you have to be grateful for. We sometimes forget that we have so much to be thankful for. So maybe while drinking your morning coffee, you could run through a shortlist of things that are good in your life. Start your day off with positive thoughts.
Spend less time rehashing the past and the mistakes you may have made. Living in the past is not the way to happiness.
Be committed to something. Strive toward something. Set some goals.
Get enough sleep-Hard to be happy when you're dragging you're a** all day.
Exercise every day. At least get in a walk. Exercise helps your mind and mood, not just your body. So get moving and get happy.
Surround yourself with positive, happy people. Being happy and positive can be kind of contagious. So be sure to catch as much of it as you can from your friends and family. Of course, when you're happy, some people will wonder what you're on.
Journaling helps some people. Keep a record of your thoughts, feelings, and things that worked for you and things that didn't work for you.
I hope you have found some of my information and ideas useful. I hope you find your happiness. But remember keeping and maintaining your happiness takes work also. It's all up to you. Remember to smile.
“Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
― Christian D. Larson