Being a very happy man, I’ve been thinking of writing such a series of posts for quite some time. I just feel like I own this to others. Being happy is so easy, yet many people seem to need someone to walk into their lives and show them the way, stop them and point out something which can be the happiest thing they’ve seen in their lives so far.
Looking at people around me and seeing the reasons for their unhappiness, I’ve decided to share the very same happiness principles I use myself. All I ask of you is to make a decision and commit to reading every single post which will follow (11 planned so far). Make a promise to yourself that you will read each post and take at least one action based on what you learn. Even 11 simple steps towards your well being will make a great difference in the long run.
Remember: a simple change now can make all the difference for you tomorrow. It’s never too late to change something little today in order to make yourself happier tomorrow. Being happy is your choice.
What is happiness?
Happiness is an emotional or affective state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction. As a state and a subject, it has been pursued and commented on extensively throughout world history. This reflects the universal importance that humans place on happiness.
There are countless sources of both enjoyment and satisfaction in this world, and all kinds of them too. It’s not like there can be lack of reasons for being happy, or happiness for all the mankind can simply run out. Everyone can be happy, one way or another.
Why do some people feel unhappy?
It is quite common to believe that majority of unhappy people feel so because of the circumstances. Apparently, they are:
- born in a wrong place at a wrong time
- have not enough money to get any joy out of this life
- do not know enough to earn any serious money
- do not look as good as they should be
- victims of ridiculous circumstances
- can’t change anything in their lives
If you read through the list though, you will soon realize that there really is nothing which makes these people unhappy, apart from their own low self-esteem and attitude towards themselves and their lives.
For every reason not to be happy, you can find an explanation which proves it wrong!
For instance, is there definitely a good or right location to be born at? Is there a time when it’s best to be born? When you look at these statements this particular way, the questions do sound a bit stupid, don’t you think? There is no right place! There is no right time. You can be happy anywhere, wherever and whenever you happen to be. Being happy can and should be your personal choice.
I’ll just look at a few more of the fake unhappiness reasons from the list, just so that you get the idea.
Sure, being a millionaire does help you relax and find particular ways to enjoy this life. But does it mean that without huge sums of money you don’t stand a chance of being happy? Not at all! There are millions (if not billions) of people on this planet who are dirt poor, yet they wake up every morning with a smile of sheer happiness and they thank life and God for living one day longer.
In fact, many books explain that the majority of rich people in every country have and enjoy really simple values. Instead of getting excited about spending their millions, they buy used cars and enjoy quiet evenings at home with their families. Instead of wasting money on something exotic, they prefer drinking beer on their terrace with an old school friend. You see, once you get enough money (and other things which some of you mistakenly relate to happiness), you will see for yourself that only simple things make you really happy, only they are priceless by all means.
Happiness is all about your attitude. If you think you’re a victim and can’t change anything in your life, think again: no matter how hopeless your days may seem, there is always something you can change. You think you’re underpaid? Get a new job! Believe you should be doing something else? Have courage to speak up, discuss it with your partner and change a career. Don’t feel loved? Find out why: it’s not always about others, you know. Try giving more love, and see it come back.
Happiness is a miracle. We choose to be happy, yet others don’t believe it is our own choice. We can make others happy, yet not all of them will recognize it. Happiness is one of the essential feelings we all should have in our lives, yet often we give it the lowest priority and put it after many other things and feelings, which are not important at all.
It is about time you reconsider your life and make some changes. They don’t have to be dramatic. Remember: you were born to be happy. It’s one of your most natural feelings and states! This means that any step towards being happy will be helped by the world around you. Take courage to change, and you’ll be amazed how easy it really is to become just a bit happier with every single day.