What does it take to be happy?
This is question that many many people find themselves asking, and as we ramble through this journey called life we may need a little help to keep that smile on our face and that spring in our step. More than once I have asked myself what it takes to be happy and in all my searching I have found a few distinct truths that come alive and as simple as they may seem offer an opportunity to be happy with yourself all the time, even when the chips are down.
Here are 5 simple ways to get happy right now, and to stay that way, these aren't pump you up sorts of techniques, but they are real things you can do to change how you feel and make you feel much happier;
1-Do something nice for someone else
This is one of the fastest most effective ways to get happy fast, go out and do something kind for someone else, it can be as simple as giving a compliment or taking someone to lunch, or even stopping your car and helping that person on the side of the road. Service to others helps us remember that there are people everywhere have a need for something that you have got, and feeling needed is important to so many people.
2- Change your posture
This may seem a little ridiculous at first, but this has been one of the best ways for me to go from stress to happiness quickly, sit up straight, take a deep breath in and put a big old goofy smile on your face, you can literally feel the tension that is in your chest melt away, and it is replaced with a sense of well being and dare I say confidence that you can get through anything.
3- Read a good book, or even a few pages of something positive
If you are a religious person, turn to whatever religious text helps you to see things in a good way, two of my favorite passages come from The Bible, one is found in Proverbs 16:20 and reads "...whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." And the other is found in Psalms 46:10 and says "Be still and know that I am God" These 2 short sayings help me know that I have a greater purpose, and that I am meant to be happy, not miserable. If you are not a believer in any religious texts I would suggest finding something that brings you peace of mind.
4- Tell someone that you love them
Now this may fall into the service category, but I think it merits its own section, think of someone you love, someone that you haven't told in a while that you love them. Give them a call, write them a letter, or go visit them and say the words "I Love You." The key point is to say those exact words, don't try and say anything else, just simply "I Love You." It's a little uncomfortable for a lot of people at first, but it will warm your heart immediately and help you feel happy.
5- Remember that happiness is first
This may seem the strange part, but often people will put qualifiers in front of what will make them feel happy, people will say things like, "when I get that promotion, I'll be happy" or "when I find my soul mate, Then I'll be happy" but that is not how it works at all. Happiness starts inside of you and then radiates out to the things that you do, a bold statement I often make to people is, "there is nothing in the world outside of you that can make you happy or sad." All that I mean by that is that you choose each moment of each day how you will respond to your life, and certainly you have the ability to choose happiness of all the negative emotions you often find yourself burdened down with. You have the ability to choose happiness and peace instead of anguish, it's a very simple concept that can seem very difficult, but give it a try, just try to choose happiness.
We are not powerless, we have the ability to master all of our emotions and that includes choosing happiness, you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain, why not give happiness a try?
Keith Callister Self Improvement Coach Visit my blog at
http://winningedge.wordpress.com
Free weekly self improvement articles and essays!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Callister
Keith Callister - EzineArticles Expert Author
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Ten Rules For Happiness
1. Your life must have a worthy purpose; meaning you intend to make a difference in this world. Unhappy people usually believe the purpose of life is to find enjoyment for oneself. Happiness is derived only when our life is filled with passion for something significant. As humans, we need a single aim that we enthusiastically want to pursue. Without this we will never feel contentment.
2. Savor the present. It is the best time to experience happiness. Most people put off enjoying life for the future. Delight in the fact that each day you get a fresh start to live your life in the way you enjoy. Make sure you have full control of your time. You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. Enjoy every moment of it. Have a single focus when doing things. Stress is often a of trying to do more than one thing at a time. Your mind cannot be in the present if it is multi-tasking. Do one thing well, and when you finish, you can do another. It is far more efficient and enjoyable.
3. Accentuate the positive. Happiness is primarily an attitude that we create with our thoughts. If the way you look at something makes you unhappy, then you need to change the way you think about it. It takes the same amount of effort in your mind to be happy as unhappy.
4. Focus on having one or two intimate relationships. Most happiness in this world is derived from how good our social relationships are, and not how much money or how many things we have. Having one great friend is worth more than all the gold in the world.
5. Live simply so that you are unencumbered by the burdens of owning and desiring things. Frugality is one of the greatest sources of joy in the world. There is usually more happiness in not having things than having them.
6. Engage in active and stimulating activities and keep learning. Passive and vegetative activities like watching television are mind numbing and ultimately depressing.
7. Eat a healthy diet, exercise for 45 minutes at least five days a week, and keep your weight in an optimal range.
8. Express your appreciation sincerely to others and to God for all that you are able to enjoy. Delight in the beauty of the world and be grateful to those that make your life better, and for the good fortune you have.
9. Take at least ten minutes each day for reflection. Happiness resides in the mind, and you must be well connected to it to really experience happiness.
10. Spread joy and happiness to others. Your happiness will only grow if it is shared. Keep a smile on your face and regularly hug the people you care about.
http://www.informZoo.com -- Helping you become happier, healthier, better informed and more successful
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charly_Mann
2. Savor the present. It is the best time to experience happiness. Most people put off enjoying life for the future. Delight in the fact that each day you get a fresh start to live your life in the way you enjoy. Make sure you have full control of your time. You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. Enjoy every moment of it. Have a single focus when doing things. Stress is often a of trying to do more than one thing at a time. Your mind cannot be in the present if it is multi-tasking. Do one thing well, and when you finish, you can do another. It is far more efficient and enjoyable.
3. Accentuate the positive. Happiness is primarily an attitude that we create with our thoughts. If the way you look at something makes you unhappy, then you need to change the way you think about it. It takes the same amount of effort in your mind to be happy as unhappy.
4. Focus on having one or two intimate relationships. Most happiness in this world is derived from how good our social relationships are, and not how much money or how many things we have. Having one great friend is worth more than all the gold in the world.
5. Live simply so that you are unencumbered by the burdens of owning and desiring things. Frugality is one of the greatest sources of joy in the world. There is usually more happiness in not having things than having them.
6. Engage in active and stimulating activities and keep learning. Passive and vegetative activities like watching television are mind numbing and ultimately depressing.
7. Eat a healthy diet, exercise for 45 minutes at least five days a week, and keep your weight in an optimal range.
8. Express your appreciation sincerely to others and to God for all that you are able to enjoy. Delight in the beauty of the world and be grateful to those that make your life better, and for the good fortune you have.
9. Take at least ten minutes each day for reflection. Happiness resides in the mind, and you must be well connected to it to really experience happiness.
10. Spread joy and happiness to others. Your happiness will only grow if it is shared. Keep a smile on your face and regularly hug the people you care about.
http://www.informZoo.com -- Helping you become happier, healthier, better informed and more successful
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charly_Mann
3 Survival Tips to Achieve Happiness When You Are Living With Negativity
What do you do if your goal is to strive to be happy but you are living in a negative situation? Some examples of this might be that you are living with a chronic complainer, an alcoholic, or someone experiencing depression. How about all three? You might even be in an abusive situation which requires that you get help immediately. It is frustrating, confusing and you are probably wondering what you did to deserve such a plight. Here are 3 survival tips:
1. First, if you are in an abusive or dangerous situation, make sure to get help immediately anyway you can. There are people and groups out there who are willing and able to help you. Whatever your situation is, know that it is not your fault. You do not deserve that type of treatment and there is absolutely no reason to stay and endure more of it. The offending person has been working over a period of time to destroy every ounce of your self esteem. You must realize that you have the power to rebuild it.
2. Work to achieve your own happiness. If you are living with a person who is deeply unhappy, it is normal to want to help them to feel better about themselves. However, the only person who can truly help them is themselves. You can give them encouragement, positive affirmations, and support, but there is a fine line to helping them vs. enabling them. If you focus solely on them, you neglect your own needs. If that person refuses to get help for themselves, it is important for you to get help yourself. There are many programs out there such as 10 step programs geared for people living in your situation. They teach you how to achieve your own happiness and how to deal with your environment. There are also many positive mentors or groups who will keep you focusing in a positive direction. The more positive people you surround yourself with, the more positive your situation will become.
3. Work on your inner happiness. We have all heard the quote, What you think about, you bring about. Start a journal and write about things that make you happy and that you are grateful for in your life. Let your higher power guide you to happiness. Take moments of silence if you can to listen to your inner voice even if it is just for 5 minutes per day. Realize you have the choice and the power to be happy yourself.
And now I invite you to learn more about choosing happiness no matter what happens to you in your life and in the world by visiting http://www.choosehappinessforlife.com
Rebecca Olkowski has been a success and business mentor in the direct marketing field for 8 years. Learn the tools and develop habits to choose happiness for life. It's your choice and you have the power to control your own destiny.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Olkowski
1. First, if you are in an abusive or dangerous situation, make sure to get help immediately anyway you can. There are people and groups out there who are willing and able to help you. Whatever your situation is, know that it is not your fault. You do not deserve that type of treatment and there is absolutely no reason to stay and endure more of it. The offending person has been working over a period of time to destroy every ounce of your self esteem. You must realize that you have the power to rebuild it.
2. Work to achieve your own happiness. If you are living with a person who is deeply unhappy, it is normal to want to help them to feel better about themselves. However, the only person who can truly help them is themselves. You can give them encouragement, positive affirmations, and support, but there is a fine line to helping them vs. enabling them. If you focus solely on them, you neglect your own needs. If that person refuses to get help for themselves, it is important for you to get help yourself. There are many programs out there such as 10 step programs geared for people living in your situation. They teach you how to achieve your own happiness and how to deal with your environment. There are also many positive mentors or groups who will keep you focusing in a positive direction. The more positive people you surround yourself with, the more positive your situation will become.
3. Work on your inner happiness. We have all heard the quote, What you think about, you bring about. Start a journal and write about things that make you happy and that you are grateful for in your life. Let your higher power guide you to happiness. Take moments of silence if you can to listen to your inner voice even if it is just for 5 minutes per day. Realize you have the choice and the power to be happy yourself.
And now I invite you to learn more about choosing happiness no matter what happens to you in your life and in the world by visiting http://www.choosehappinessforlife.com
Rebecca Olkowski has been a success and business mentor in the direct marketing field for 8 years. Learn the tools and develop habits to choose happiness for life. It's your choice and you have the power to control your own destiny.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Olkowski
Simple Rule For a Peaceful and Happy Life
One of the best principles you can adopt in life, if you want to live peacefully, is the simple rule, don't fight with anyone. More than any other method, this rule is the absolute best way to enjoy harmonious living and brotherhood. The benefits of not fighting with people are really remarkable and here are just some of the ways it helps you and others.
Benefits of Peaceful Living:
1. Peace, Peace and more Peace. Mental, physical and emotional peace for everyone.
2. Prevents wastage of precious time and energy on negative thinking and negative emotions.
3. Many more friends, translates into many more opportunities and not to mention, more laughter, joy and kinship.
4. Less emphasis on ego and self-centered thinking helps promote spiritual growth, awareness and other mindedness.
5. Much better health, as the toxic effects of hate, anger, bitterness are reduced or altogether eliminated from your system.
Over the years, in my own attempt to observe this rule, I found several techniques very helpful in making me choose the path of peace over conflict, and I would like to share these with you below, as you too might find them useful.
Techniques for Peaceful Living:
1. Don't React: I can't emphasize enough the importance of this approach. For example, when at work the worst thing to do is fire off an email when you are emotional and upset over something. Allow yourself to calm down first, take a walk come back and then respond.
Similarly, at the home front, stop reacting to situations without being thoughtful, listening carefully or giving yourself a chance to digest what the other is saying. Remember also that if a situation, comment or event is upsetting you, look at it as an opportunity to learn how to observe the mind and learn how thoughts play havoc with your emotions and feelings.
2. Don't Fear: Fights and conflicts have their roots in the simple pleasure/pain principle. I am using the broadest definition of pleasure/pain here and including psychological pleasures and pains as well, such as security, power, compliments, insults, etc.
Conflicts tend to occur when you are trying to manipulate life to create satisfying conditions and others are coming in the way of this. To combat this try to go with the flow more and remember that the future is a great big unknown. Your worst fears are only in your mind, and you don't really know how life is going to turn out. Maybe that which you fear most as going to happen, is the best thing for you? Let go and see what happens.
3. Forgive: Undoubtedly if you want to avoid fights, you will have to forgive the trespasses of others. There is simply no way around this. That driver who cuts you off, the friend who forgets your birthday, the brother who wont share, etc, etc. Forgive, forgive, forgive, there is no other way.
4. Sacrifice: This is similar to practicing forgiveness, where you will simply have to at times carry the extra load which another cannot or will not do.
5. Meditate/Exercise/Diet: Very often irritation and the subsequent conflict takes place because of your physical condition and mood. You may simply have a headache, be hungry or tired and thus, be much more susceptible to anger. The best way to combat this is meditation, exercise and a healthy diet. This combo will really help boost your positive energy and help you maintain a good frame of mind, while at the same time helping you deal with stress effectively. Really it's easy to fight, but only the very strong are able not to.
Summary:
Now I know this is not an easy rule to live by and certainly there will be slip ups, but even just trying will be very beneficial to you. If you decide to challenge the opportunities to fight that inevitably arise in day to day life, you will learn a great deal about yourself and the ways of the ego. You will learn about your attachments, self-image, pleasures, identifications, fears, desires and much much more.
Anmol Mehta is a modern Yoga & Meditation master. His free website offers the ultimate Meditation Techniques guide, powerful Tantric Sexual Techniques and yoga techniques to Heal Chakra Centers
This article is available for reprint on your website and/or newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the author's signature.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anmol_Mehta
Benefits of Peaceful Living:
1. Peace, Peace and more Peace. Mental, physical and emotional peace for everyone.
2. Prevents wastage of precious time and energy on negative thinking and negative emotions.
3. Many more friends, translates into many more opportunities and not to mention, more laughter, joy and kinship.
4. Less emphasis on ego and self-centered thinking helps promote spiritual growth, awareness and other mindedness.
5. Much better health, as the toxic effects of hate, anger, bitterness are reduced or altogether eliminated from your system.
Over the years, in my own attempt to observe this rule, I found several techniques very helpful in making me choose the path of peace over conflict, and I would like to share these with you below, as you too might find them useful.
Techniques for Peaceful Living:
1. Don't React: I can't emphasize enough the importance of this approach. For example, when at work the worst thing to do is fire off an email when you are emotional and upset over something. Allow yourself to calm down first, take a walk come back and then respond.
Similarly, at the home front, stop reacting to situations without being thoughtful, listening carefully or giving yourself a chance to digest what the other is saying. Remember also that if a situation, comment or event is upsetting you, look at it as an opportunity to learn how to observe the mind and learn how thoughts play havoc with your emotions and feelings.
2. Don't Fear: Fights and conflicts have their roots in the simple pleasure/pain principle. I am using the broadest definition of pleasure/pain here and including psychological pleasures and pains as well, such as security, power, compliments, insults, etc.
Conflicts tend to occur when you are trying to manipulate life to create satisfying conditions and others are coming in the way of this. To combat this try to go with the flow more and remember that the future is a great big unknown. Your worst fears are only in your mind, and you don't really know how life is going to turn out. Maybe that which you fear most as going to happen, is the best thing for you? Let go and see what happens.
3. Forgive: Undoubtedly if you want to avoid fights, you will have to forgive the trespasses of others. There is simply no way around this. That driver who cuts you off, the friend who forgets your birthday, the brother who wont share, etc, etc. Forgive, forgive, forgive, there is no other way.
4. Sacrifice: This is similar to practicing forgiveness, where you will simply have to at times carry the extra load which another cannot or will not do.
5. Meditate/Exercise/Diet: Very often irritation and the subsequent conflict takes place because of your physical condition and mood. You may simply have a headache, be hungry or tired and thus, be much more susceptible to anger. The best way to combat this is meditation, exercise and a healthy diet. This combo will really help boost your positive energy and help you maintain a good frame of mind, while at the same time helping you deal with stress effectively. Really it's easy to fight, but only the very strong are able not to.
Summary:
Now I know this is not an easy rule to live by and certainly there will be slip ups, but even just trying will be very beneficial to you. If you decide to challenge the opportunities to fight that inevitably arise in day to day life, you will learn a great deal about yourself and the ways of the ego. You will learn about your attachments, self-image, pleasures, identifications, fears, desires and much much more.
Anmol Mehta is a modern Yoga & Meditation master. His free website offers the ultimate Meditation Techniques guide, powerful Tantric Sexual Techniques and yoga techniques to Heal Chakra Centers
This article is available for reprint on your website and/or newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the author's signature.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anmol_Mehta
The Number One Lesson We All Need to Learn
Forgiveness. We all have things we need to forgive, whether they are faults we find within ourselves or wrongs that were committed against us. Holding grudges is not only exhausting, it's pointless because anger only hurts you. No matter how mad you are at someone, that person goes about their life unaffected while you waste away, consumed by your anger. Buddha once said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
For some reason, people have locked on to the idea that not forgiving somehow makes them stronger. That maybe rage will help them find the perfect solution to the problem. The truth, however, is that anger, guilt and blame do nothing to solve a problem. They only magnify the negativity you feel when you think about that person or situation. Forgiveness, on the other hand, releases all that pent up anger and hostility and enables you to be at ease with yourself and those who have harmed you. Living in forgiveness enables you to walk with a light heart and a sense of inner peace.
When Jesus spoke of turning the other cheek and forgiving those who trespass against you, he was giving very sound advice. It might seem weak or even foolish to not react, get angry or try to exact revenge but none of those things is going to help you. Releasing the negativity you feel, however, will.
Whom have you not forgiven in your life and why? What is it that compels you to hold on to the past hurt, guilt or blame? Is not forgiving this person helping you or hurting you? I think you will find that clutching to a hurtful past isn't doing you any favors.
Jason Hundley has studied various metaphysical concepts such as The Science of Mind, Conversations with God, many of Wayne Dyer's books and much of the Abraham-Hicks material.
To learn more about releasing negative feelings and beliefs that keep you trapped in negativity, visit http://www.5pointapproach.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Hundley
For some reason, people have locked on to the idea that not forgiving somehow makes them stronger. That maybe rage will help them find the perfect solution to the problem. The truth, however, is that anger, guilt and blame do nothing to solve a problem. They only magnify the negativity you feel when you think about that person or situation. Forgiveness, on the other hand, releases all that pent up anger and hostility and enables you to be at ease with yourself and those who have harmed you. Living in forgiveness enables you to walk with a light heart and a sense of inner peace.
When Jesus spoke of turning the other cheek and forgiving those who trespass against you, he was giving very sound advice. It might seem weak or even foolish to not react, get angry or try to exact revenge but none of those things is going to help you. Releasing the negativity you feel, however, will.
Whom have you not forgiven in your life and why? What is it that compels you to hold on to the past hurt, guilt or blame? Is not forgiving this person helping you or hurting you? I think you will find that clutching to a hurtful past isn't doing you any favors.
Jason Hundley has studied various metaphysical concepts such as The Science of Mind, Conversations with God, many of Wayne Dyer's books and much of the Abraham-Hicks material.
To learn more about releasing negative feelings and beliefs that keep you trapped in negativity, visit http://www.5pointapproach.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Hundley
How to Achieve Happiness and Contentment
Everybody wants to be happy and contented. Happiness is not difficult to attain. However, some people tend to think otherwise. Happiness means different things to different people. So what is happiness and how can we achieve it?
People seek happiness in a lot of different ways. For most it's in the pursuit of riches. Others just want to find that special someone. To someone else, good health is all the need to be happy.
In other cases, for one person to be happy it means depriving someone else of their happiness. This may give the impression that one's happiness is dependent on someone else, but this is not the case.
It does not necessarily take just one thing to make a person happy. It may take a variety of things to bring about happiness for someone. One of the things that can bring about happiness is contentment. If you are not contented with what you have or who you are, you'll never be happy. Happiness and contentment go together.
What is contentment? Satisfaction. If you are not satisfied, you are not happy. If you are not happy, then you are not satisfied. People who are greedy will never be happy because they are never satisfied.
The bible tells us in Luke 12:15: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Always give thanks for what you have. Focus on your blessings and not on what you don't have. Appreciate the little things in life - For waking up each morning, for food on your table, for family and friends. Pray everyday that you will remain blessed.
Consider the words of Benjamin Franklin:
"Content makes the poor rich; discontentment makes rich men poor."
Read my blog: How to Achieve Happiness for more tips on how to be happy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Granger
People seek happiness in a lot of different ways. For most it's in the pursuit of riches. Others just want to find that special someone. To someone else, good health is all the need to be happy.
In other cases, for one person to be happy it means depriving someone else of their happiness. This may give the impression that one's happiness is dependent on someone else, but this is not the case.
It does not necessarily take just one thing to make a person happy. It may take a variety of things to bring about happiness for someone. One of the things that can bring about happiness is contentment. If you are not contented with what you have or who you are, you'll never be happy. Happiness and contentment go together.
What is contentment? Satisfaction. If you are not satisfied, you are not happy. If you are not happy, then you are not satisfied. People who are greedy will never be happy because they are never satisfied.
The bible tells us in Luke 12:15: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Always give thanks for what you have. Focus on your blessings and not on what you don't have. Appreciate the little things in life - For waking up each morning, for food on your table, for family and friends. Pray everyday that you will remain blessed.
Consider the words of Benjamin Franklin:
"Content makes the poor rich; discontentment makes rich men poor."
Read my blog: How to Achieve Happiness for more tips on how to be happy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Granger
3 Habits to Make You Happy
There is probably nobody we are more jealous of than someone who is happy all the time. The worst punishment we can think of for someone we dislike, is that they will not be happy. We long to be happy. We strive for happiness, searching for all those things that we think will make us happy. But that is our first mistake. Happiness does not come from outside us; it won't come if and when we get something. It comes from inside us, and if we're always focused on what we think will bring us happiness, we will miss the happiness we can have right now when we focus on all the blessings that are already in our lives. There are several habits we can adopt that will help us focus on our happiness in this moment
The most basic happiness habit is to focus on the solutions, instead of all the problems. Stop blaming and complaining. It has been said that the average person complains 70 times a day. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstances, see yourself as a person who can and will find a solution to your problems. To focus on solutions, Marci Shimoff talks about a method in which you rate whatever is bothering you on a scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent). Lets say you rate it as 6. Then you find all the (good) reasons why this is a 6 instead of a 1, instead of finding all the (bad) reasons why it is a 6 instead of a 10.
Another habit is to not believe everything you think. It's one thing to question what other people say, but how often do you question your own beliefs. It has been said that 80% of most people's thoughts are negative; that works out to more than 45,000 negative thoughts every day. One practice you can do is to ask yourself the following questions about your negative thoughts and beliefs: Is it true? Can you absolutely know that it's true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without the thought? Then you can create a "turnaround" statement which expresses the opposite of that thought or belief. When you start questioning your negative thoughts, over time they simply lose the power to upset you.
A third habit is to focus on gratitude for all the blessings in your life. Most of us take many things for granted. We focus on our problems or on the things we don't have instead of appreciating what we have right now. No matter how little you have in your life, there is always something you can be grateful for, even if it's just the gift of life itself. Gratitude is actually good for our health too. It creates a specific energy that affects our bodies positively. Marci Shimoff tells about an exercise to focus on gratitude. Every day, you can pick a "theme of the day". If today's theme is water, for example, then every time you wash your hands, brush your teeth, wash the dishes, shower etc you would notice and appreciate the water, and let it remind you to be present in the moment and purely grateful.
These are just a few things you can do to train yourself to be happy, no matter what is going on around you. If you can start practicing these three exercises you will be become increasingly happy. You will have what you have been longing for.
For more ideas about how to be happier and more successful, visit http://www.reachingmypotential.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_Crowe
The most basic happiness habit is to focus on the solutions, instead of all the problems. Stop blaming and complaining. It has been said that the average person complains 70 times a day. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstances, see yourself as a person who can and will find a solution to your problems. To focus on solutions, Marci Shimoff talks about a method in which you rate whatever is bothering you on a scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent). Lets say you rate it as 6. Then you find all the (good) reasons why this is a 6 instead of a 1, instead of finding all the (bad) reasons why it is a 6 instead of a 10.
Another habit is to not believe everything you think. It's one thing to question what other people say, but how often do you question your own beliefs. It has been said that 80% of most people's thoughts are negative; that works out to more than 45,000 negative thoughts every day. One practice you can do is to ask yourself the following questions about your negative thoughts and beliefs: Is it true? Can you absolutely know that it's true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without the thought? Then you can create a "turnaround" statement which expresses the opposite of that thought or belief. When you start questioning your negative thoughts, over time they simply lose the power to upset you.
A third habit is to focus on gratitude for all the blessings in your life. Most of us take many things for granted. We focus on our problems or on the things we don't have instead of appreciating what we have right now. No matter how little you have in your life, there is always something you can be grateful for, even if it's just the gift of life itself. Gratitude is actually good for our health too. It creates a specific energy that affects our bodies positively. Marci Shimoff tells about an exercise to focus on gratitude. Every day, you can pick a "theme of the day". If today's theme is water, for example, then every time you wash your hands, brush your teeth, wash the dishes, shower etc you would notice and appreciate the water, and let it remind you to be present in the moment and purely grateful.
These are just a few things you can do to train yourself to be happy, no matter what is going on around you. If you can start practicing these three exercises you will be become increasingly happy. You will have what you have been longing for.
For more ideas about how to be happier and more successful, visit http://www.reachingmypotential.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_Crowe
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