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Happiness can be as elusive as catching a feather in a hurricane. Research suggest Americans feel happy approximately 54% of the time, neutral 25% of the time and unhappy 21% of the time.
In his book Authentic Happiness Dr. Martin Seligman concluded that happy people
- are healthier. (Medicine For What Ails You)
- use their intellect more efficiently. (Happiness Fuel For The Brain)
- are more creative. (No More Excuses)
- are more optimistic. (Somewhere Over the Rainbow)
- have more fulfilling social relationships. (The Happiness Virus)
For many personal happiness is dependent upon the temporal— possessions, promotions, prestige, relationships, etc. Soon discovering this type of happiness is fleeting— at the whim of circumstances. They then become discontented and depressed.
If you have grown weary of being at the mercy of your circumstances, then you must change your happiness paradigm. The acquisition of things can never produce enduring happiness. It is an engaged and meaningful life that births lifetime happiness.
What can you do today to live happily ever after?
Spend more time doing what you love.
• Engage in activities that compliment your values and interests.
Engage others.
• Thank others for their kindness towards you.
• Tell others personally or in writing how they changed your life for the better.
• Spend time with those you love, and anyone who makes you smile and laugh.
Forget the Joneses.
• Don’t compare your success to others.
• Live a life of authenticity. Don’t be a “mini-me” of someone else.
Pay it forward.
• Share your talent, time and treasure with others by volunteering in your community.
• Help both family, friends and strangers when you see a need.
Be grateful.
• Spend a few minutes daily recounting the blessings of the day and record them in a “gratitude journal”. Frequently read your “gratitude journal”. Specifically on those days when happiness is a fading memory.
• Meditate on happy memories.
Pray or meditate.
Engage in activities that make you smile and laugh.
Happiness does not just happen. Like everything else in life it requires intentionality on your part. It’s a choice.
I guess Bobby McFerrin had it right. Don’t worry be happy!
Thanks for listening to my voice! Feel free to like and share it with your friends.
Have a great day! Rita
Be a VOICE in the deafening sound of sameness!
letsloveothers 