What is Happiness? ‘Phase 1- Happiness is a Choice
I shall share with you the phase 3-coming up
How did you get on with what happiness is and isn’t for you?
Happiness is a choice, we have a choice as how we want to live our life. No matter the circumstances, we have still the choice to live an unhappy life, at the mercy of our emotions, events… which could be quite miserable sometimes. Or youcan choose to live a happy content life, the choice is yours. Happiness does not depend on others or gaining their approval, it is a kind of choice that we make for ourselves.In reality, I believe that the level of our life’s happiness has nothing to do with the things that other people say or do, even if we feel like it. Happiness is not something that we capture through the affirmation or actions of others. We certainly can be inspired by others which can give us a sense of happiness but true happiness comes from within you.
Can we really make up our mind to be happy? I say yes you can.
The empowered happiness mindset is set on the principlethat despite the things that happen to us we might be in today, we can still choose to be happy. It’s all about making a decision, the right one, if we don’t choose to be a happy person, it’s like indirectly we have made a decision to be a person that doesn’t give importance to happiness, therefore, the moments of happiness might not be many…
Start to be happy any moment you want, all you need to do is make a decision, choose to be happy, write it down on paper in capitals: “I decide I want to be happy”, “from now on I am going to be happy person, no matter what”. You can make it more specific by adding what it is that you want to be happy about.
Remember this needs to be a clear and conscious decision and nothing like “I would like to be happy or I wish to be happy” These are simply just wishes- they are not taking you anywhere.
Once your decision to be a happy person is made, you then need to do whatever it takes to be happy. Remember that Happiness is a Journey not a Destination.It’s a bit like when you start a fire, if you don’t fan the fire, the fire at one point will die. Therefore, you have turned our happiness on, which I like to think of as a candle, you need to keep it on, otherwise, it will die, this is something you will see in the next few steps.
Buddha quotes,
“ Thousands of candles can be lighted from one single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
If you make a decision to live a happy life, no matter what life can present to you. It is our choice, you have made a decision and you need to stick to it. Once you have understood and accepted that happiness comes from within, it is not impossible to be happy even during the toughest of times because you already know how you should hold on to those good times and chase all the bad away. With an empowered happiness mindset, you will know how you should let life to happen and stay open to wallowing in the bliss of happiness whatever your circumstances might be.
Many people find the notion hard to believe simply because they have gone through so many challenges in their lives. Whatever you have been through in your life, you need to remember, that it is never too late to make happiness your choice.
The choice of Happiness begins by:
1. simply telling yourself that happiness is a choice.
2. Tell yourself that you are willing to make it happen and commit to. Remember, making choiceis the biggest and most important step that you can take to being happy.
3. Make a list of 3 or 4 things that will make you happy each day and stick to it.
4. Acknowledge the goal you set yourself, and even if your goal is not achieved still praise, value yourself and celebrate for giving it a go.
5. What are the things that make me smile these days?
6. Take time to stop, reflect and breathe- this will give you a great sense of happiness.
7. Take an opportunity to express gratitude to someone.
8. The next time you are feeling anxious about something; ask yourself: Is this something I can control? If your answer is no, respect the outcome as it is. If it is yes, commit to figuring out a way to control it. Remember not to set yourself up for failure by always looking to take control but instead, what happiness will be achieved from taking control of only what you can control.
9. Wake up with a positive attitude and listen to a piece of music that cheers you up and sends great vibrations through your body.
10. Find a quote about happiness that really resonates with you or write your own and look at it daily as an affirmation.
The act of making the choice is done by looking deep into yourself: realize and appreciate the little tiny things that fulfil you, make you feel at peace and acknowledge the things you need to let go of to be happy.
Happiness is a state of being:No matter how small they may be, give yourself a little time each morning and appreciate these things.
Happiness is a choice – so is sadness:You may lose sight of your happiness because of the daily tension it brings: financial situations, work, relationships, family pressures, outside environment such as traffic, delays that can get you feel down in the dumps.
Keep your friends and family close- Attaining and maintaining happiness is by expressing your gratitude, but if you give gratitude do not expect it in return. Give it because you feel happy and want to reflect that happiness on others. Happiness is near impossible if you are selfish about it. You are surrounded by people with riches and fame but not necessarily have happiness to accompany this feeling of happiness.
Hard work pays off- Nothing good in life comes easy — happiness is no exception. Difficult choices must be made at certain points in your life if you wish to maintain it. It is always best for you to move on and take on challenges than to let fear grip your heart than sit and wallow in complacency.
Take it slow- Happiness takes an entire lifetime. Take it slow; stop and smell the roses along the way and try not to rush yourself into getting to your definition of happiness. Mistakes happen along the way and that is perfectly fine! It is life’s way of teaching you a lesson about your choice. Slow down and spend time thinking and understanding why life treated you in that way.
Stay in control- a choice-You may fall into a state of anxiousness because of your constant need to stay in control. Acknowledge this when it happens. Now, a lot of people are not aware of this. The next time you are feeling anxious about something, why don’t you ask yourself this question: is this something I can control?
Remember Happiness is a choice that revolves around how you manage yourself around the environment you are currently in. Always be grateful and generous to the people who make you smile. Never try to take control of things beyond your understanding and always take the time to savor and appreciate the little things that brightens up your day.
“Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There’s going to be stress in life, but it’s your choice whether you let it affect you or not.” Valerie Bertinelli
“My message is that happiness is the first principle of life. But you must choose it. We all have pain, but suffering is a choice. You can be happier if you make some changes in your life.” Alexandra Stoddard
Join me tomorrow for Phase two- Happiness an attitude of the mind.
