“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from you own actions.” ~Dalai Lama
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ~Abraham Lincoln
“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads.” ~Albert Camus
“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” ~Tom Wilson
Most of us believe happiness is an event. However, it is more a state of mind. Happiness is not based on how much you have, how much you achieve, or how many degrees you have. Happiness is a state of mind that is always with you at your choosing.
While it is very difficult to be happy all the time, you can create little pieces of happiness throughout your day and throughout your life.
In order to be happy, there is not one thing you need to do or one thing you need to have either. Creating your own “happy” means to simply choose it. Happiness is a choice and is there for you to pick.
Start off by making a conscious choice to feel happy. Think about what it feels like, what it looks like, and how happiness shows up in your life.
Recall Fond Memories
Focus on those events and times when you felt blissfully happy. Recall those memories, feel them, and remember how you felt. Then feel it again in this moment.
In moments when you are angry, recalling fond memories is a great way to pull yourself out of a dark place. However, this works best when you find yourself angry for not too long. If you are angry for too long, it is best to sit with yourself or remove yourself from your house and go for a walk.
Sit quietly or walk while clearing the clutter of your mind. Recall a time when you were truly satisfied and blissful. Hold onto that and let the current situation dissipate. Know that this too shall pass.
Smile
Smiling and laughing, according to some research, is good for your health. Apparently, endorphins are released when you smile and laugh. So go ahead and have a belly laugh and a good chuckle and smile even though you may not really feel like it at the moment. It will do your body and your mind a world of good.
Get off the Pity Train
Look for things in every situation to be grateful for, even when your situation is a major change.
For example, if you have left your job, look at it as an opportunity to start anew. If something has broken down, seek to see if the new repair will enhance your home and make it more valuable regardless of the fact that you may spend a few dollars now; you may make your home more saleable in the future.
If you are at odds in a relationship, see where you can take responsibility and what you can learn from it for future relationships.
Look for the slightest of happiness-inducing things in the every day, such as a flower, running water, your dog jumping all over you. Anything that can make you smile is worth thinking about because in the end it will help you to create a little happiness. And, a little happy goes a long way.
Think of life as a feast that includes happiness. As with any recipe we want to create, it takes several ingredients to make a dish. Such is the creation of happiness.
Try adding some of these to your life for the creation of happiness.
- Self-Love
- Generosity
- Forgiveness
- Laughter
- Romance
- Nature
- Activities that bring you joy
- Random acts of kindness