Happiness is an inside job
It does not stem from outer sources – once you recognize that we are all walking around led by the nose by our subconscious beliefs and stories, it gets easier to create new stories.
If you have a relative, for example, who always seems miserable, do you internalize that?
Once you recognize that another human being’s faults, traits, and personality have nothing to do with you, you have begun to lay the foundation for inner happiness.
Learning the happiness habit
The same way someone can choose to be a miserable sort of person throughout their entire life, you can choose to create the habit of being happy, as well.
There are techniques and tools you can import into your life.
For example, you can choose to use gratitude as a way to offset the human desire to lack consciousness.
It’s so easy to focus on what we don’t have under the guise of setting goals, but we mustn’t forget to remember to be grateful for all that is already present, which brings us to our next tool of happiness.
Being present in the moment
Take a moment to realize that where you are right now in this moment will never come your way again.
Do you realize how important and powerful this is?
You won’t ever get this moment back again.
Once you take on the practice of being in the moment and recognizing that you will never have it back again, you will begin to feel happy for what is in the moment.
Take a minute to watch your child’s mannerisms when they don’t know you are watching.
Take a moment to watch your spouse’s lips move when he/she is talking.
Every once in a while, stop and be present to what is right in front of you and recognize it as a moment in time.
Another great happiness technique is to set goals
Those are small and achievable.
Once you truly understand that creating building blocks of smaller goals to reach a bigger goal is the way to feeling happy, fulfilled, and accomplished, you will begin to feel content, happy, and satisfied.
Take small action steps outside your comfort zone and you will begin to build confidence.
Once you see taking smaller steps outside your comfort zone as a way to grow into happiness, you’ll be taking giant leaps before you know it.
Be giving
When you want to feel bad about a certain situation in your life, don’t let anyone tell you it’s not okay.
Go ahead and feel bad, but just don’t feel bad for too long.
Get out of your head for just a little while and give your “feel bad” vibes a rest.
Go help someone else.
Giving back has enormous benefits to the person receiving the help, but even bigger results for you.
The hormones and feel-good vibes released while giving back can lift you out of that sour mood in no time.
Learn how to receive
If you are like most people, you have a hard time receiving help or even asking for it in the first place.
Ask for help, delegate, learn how to say no and sit back and receive.
There’s nothing wrong with receiving love, help or just a listening ear when you need it.
Make receiving a habit.
Self-love and self-nurture
When you find there is a shortage of someone to give to you, then give it to yourself.
Everyone is multi-tasking and busier than ever these days.
Give yourself a treat. It doesn’t have to be extravagant.
It could be something as simple as a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee with a magazine.
Treat yourself how you want other people to treat you.
Volunteerism
If you don’t have anyone in your close tribe to give assistance or help to, there are plenty of organizations needing help.
You can choose to volunteer in a nursing home or in a pet shelter.
No matter the scale, big or small, there are plenty of open arms waiting for your contribution.
Have new experiences
That you’ve never had before.
So many people are under the misguided idea that happiness comes in the form of a new home, a new car or some toy or gadget.
Studies are now proving otherwise.
Happiness comes from experiences, not things.
So, go out and get involved in a new adventure.
Of course, you don’t have to jump out of a plane, but you can take on a new cultural dining experience or hobby that is a bit more adventurous than who you have always been.
To Your Happiness
