6 Keys to Happiness
You might have heard of the saying “happiness is a choice”, but the true meaning of this expression is often misunderstood. When this statement is used, the speaker or writer is saying that happiness doesn’t come easy. One must actively practice happiness by first training their mind. “What does this active pursuit of happiness look like?” You ask. Well, I’m going to give you six tips that will help you transform your life and find true happiness that lasts a lifetime.
1. Be on the Lookout
It’s easy to forget the happy moments if you let them pass you by. When life hits you and defeat begins to crowd your everyday life, focusing on the best aspects of your day can help recalibrate your mindset. For survival purposes, your brain is hardwired to latch on to the negative things, and when this happens, it can be easy to forget all of the wonderful things that happen on an everyday basis--sometimes your mind needs a chance to refresh itself. An easy way to counteract this natural occurrence is to be on the lookout for the special moments. Whether they are big or small, actively focusing on the good can be transformative to your life.
Did you receive a discount on your favorite cup of coffee this morning? That’s great! You saved a little extra money without the sacrifice. Were you able to snag an extra five minutes of sleep before preparing for your day? That’s fantastic! Now you can rise from bed feeling a little more energized. Try to remember how the good things made you feel to avoid a burnout.
2. If you Can’t Control It, Don’t Worry About It!
If you can’t control the situation then don’t worry about it. This may sound like common sense, but too many people get caught up in the things that they can’t control. Worrying about unforeseen disasters can cause depression and anxiety which isn’t good for you or anyone in your life. So why do people put themselves through the unwanted stress? Oftentimes, we use control as a method to gain confidence in our lives. The need for control causes us to react negatively to unfortunate life events that happen to us, such as losing a job that we had for many years or ending a relationship with a spouse or life partner.
Of course, I don’t expect for you to jump for joy when these things happen, but it’s important to recognize that sometimes “bad” things happen, and when these situations occur, it’s vital that we take a step back, evaluate our emotions, take into account the role that we’ve played in the circumstance, and make a conscious choice to make a better decision the next time around, because life doesn’t happen to us…in the end, we have the power to come out on top!
3. Think Outside of Yourself
This may sound a little harsh, but get over yourself! If you’re having trouble finding happiness, it could be because you’re thinking of yourself too much. Nothing gets you out of a selfish mindset quicker than to do something for someone else. This act of selflessness should reflect your current stage of life and capabilities. You never know what a simple smile or friendly greeting can do for someone else. The act of giving can come in many different forms. From sending a thoughtful letter to a friend, to buying lunch for a coworker, this simple act of kindness could brighten both of your day.
4. Be Present
Another great way for you to maintain happiness is to simply be present. Try not to focus so much on the negative things that have happened in your life or why a fellow coworker may not have returned your friendly greeting at work. Instead, I challenge you to be present in the moment. When you catch your mind drifting over into dark, murky waters, try this quick trick to help you refocus your energy. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, and slowly release the air through your nostrils. This will force you to concentrate on your breathing, which in turn, brings your energy and mind back to your current reality. Remember, you can only influence your present not your past, so why think about it?
5. What is Your New Year’s Resolution?
You don’t have to wait until a new year arrive to make a resolution or set some goals for yourself. Do it right now! What are some things that you’ve been wanting to achieve, but have been too distracted by life to accomplish? Write it down and place it somewhere that you can see it every day. Use this new goal sheet as your daily reminder to always be pushing towards your goals. If you’re stagnant in your life right now, this could be the source of your unhappiness. As humans, we should be striving to achieve new goals every day. Productivity creates the environment for growth, which brings forth happiness.
6. Love Yourself
I can’t push self-love enough! You must love yourself regardless of where you are in your life. This life is about growing, and yes, sometimes that means making mistakes, but in those mistakes, we find out just how tough and resilient we truly are. As you work to navigate this complicated maze that we call life, remember that you must first learn to accept yourself (flaws and all) and remember that happiness is a choice that we must all consciously make not just one day, but every day of our lives.
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