Happiness is life's most cherished goal. On every continent, in every country and in every culture, when people are asked, "What do you want?" the most popular answer is "happiness." When parents are asked, "What do you most want for your children?" the answer is "happiness." Happiness is the goal that makes other life goals—like success, prosperity and relationships—feel meaningful and enjoyable.
It's official—the pursuit of happiness has sped up! We are chasing after happiness faster than ever. And the faster we run, the longer the race becomes. In recent years, our happiness levels have not risen. We are experiencing what researchers call "static happiness." In the 1940s, when people were asked, "How happy are you?" the average score was 7.7 out of 10. Most recently, the average score was 7.2 out of 10.
Are you in search of happiness? Try some 10 tips to find happiness in your life.
1.DEFINE HAPPINESS
What is your definition of a happy life? Are you living it? Think carefully about this because your definition of happiness will influence every other significant decision in your life. For example, if you think happiness is outside you, you will make happiness into a search, a catch or a reward that you must earn. If, however, you know happiness is inside you, then happiness becomes a compass, a teacher and an enabler that helps you to live your best life.
2.ACCEPT HAPPINESS
Without self-acceptance, you will limit and block how much happiness, prosperity, love and success you will enjoy. The miracle of self-acceptance is that if you are willing to accept that happiness already exists in you, you will begin to experience more happiness around you. The law of acceptance is what activates the law of attraction. Being willing to accept yourself is the first step to bringing out the best in yourself.
3.FOLLOW UR JOY
There is a world of difference between searching for happiness and following your joy. Following your joy is about listening to your heart's desires, noticing what truly inspires you and recognizing your soul's purpose. A good starting point is to reflect on the question "When am I at my happiest?" People who follow their joy discover a depth of talent and creativity that inspires us all.
4.CHOOSE HAPPINESS
Some people chase happiness while other people choose happiness. It all depends how much time you want to save. Try to find the place in your mind where you have already decided how good today will be, how good this year will be, how good your life will be. Are you happy with your decision? Set a positive intention right now to let today be even more enjoyable than you thought it was going to be.
5.FREE HAPPINESS
A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn't cost anything. If you think money will buy you happiness, you will go shopping for the rest of your life and never be completely satisfied. Money can't buy you happiness, because happiness is not an "it." To enjoy some free happiness, make a list of everything in your life that costs no money and is totally priceless, like laughter, friendship, meditation, air, kindness and the stars at night.
6.LOVE SOMEONE
To be happy, all you have to do is be the most loving person you can be. People who give their best time, energy and attention to their most important relationships experience more happiness. All too often, our most important relationships have to compete with our chronic busyness, and the busyness often wins. Stop the busyness and think about who you would like to spend more time with, acknowledge more and have more fun with.
7.FORGIVE NOW
Sometimes, in order to be happy now, you have to be willing to give up all hope for a better past. Everyone knows what it is like to experience a grievance, a disappointment, a wound or a betrayal. Living happily ever after starts with forgiveness. You can't keep carrying a grievance and hope to be happy. Similarly, you can't be a victim and be happy. Practicing forgiveness is what releases you from the past and changes your future. Happiness is a gift you give yourself because it sets you free.
8.VOCAL GRATITUDE
Say out loud three things you are grateful for. Do this right now, before you go on reading this. Gratitude is often referred to as the shortest shortcut to happiness. The more grateful you are, the happier you will feel. Also, it is impossible to be grateful and depressed. Gratitude with a capital "G" is a deep spiritual realization that you are created perfectly and that everything you have ever wanted—love, joy, peace—is already yours.
9.BEWARE MARTYRDOM
A martyr believes he has to sacrifice himself and happiness in order to enjoy the good things in life. When you try to play the martyr, you lose and so does everyone else. In particular, what you give becomes more and more conditional, full of hidden emotional invoices that must be returned within 28 days, hours, minutes, seconds. Stop neglecting yourself. Be kind to yourself. Life always gets better when you treat yourself better.
10.BE PRESENT
Living in the "not now" is a chief cause of unhappiness. The strain of being not present in your own life is simply too great. When you miss out on the present, you miss out on so much. No now; no life. In the English language, the word "present" has three distinct meanings: "here", "now" and "a gift." The more present you are in each moment, the more happiness you will find. Happiness is where you are.
