We have decided, we have declared, and we have demanded the right to happiness. It’s even written in this nation’s Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Maybe that is why the pursuit of it is a national pastime! Some of the ways that we chase “happy” are unique, while others are commonplace. Some of the pursuits are well-advised and others ill-advised. What makes some people feel that they have captured (the sometimes elusive) happiness, is not happiness at all to other people. What does happiness mean to you? Are you happy?
According to Church of Scientology Mission of Baton Rouge “Happiness is defined is a mental or emotional sense of well-being that causes pleasant emotions, ranging from contentment to intense joy.” Let’s explore some of the methods and paths that are chosen to find happiness.
If I buy it, if I take it, if I eat it, drink it, smoke it – then I will be happy. Have you ever had those thoughts? Many others have thought about it, tried it, and discovered that this approach is an ineffective solution. Not only that, more and more of “it” results in indebtedness, involuntary loss of freedom, obesity, and addiction. These approaches do not produce lasting happiness.
The way to live a happier life is in the way that you live your life:
- Be who you are. You’re the only person who can do that. Appreciate yourself. Comparing yourself with others is unproductive. Your success and your happiness depend on your acceptance of yourself. Everyone can improve themselves, and that is a positive goal. Just be sure that your goal to become better is to become a better you, not to become someone else!
- Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep and enough exercise. Not having enough energy to meet with ease the demands of your day affects your mood and your attitude. Minor inconveniences can feel like major catastrophes, and you will probably overreact to everything. You will probably also feel overwhelmed by everything.
- If you have a career, you could spend 40 to 80 hours a week of your time working. That is a significant portion of your life. Do you enjoy your job? There is a huge difference between investing hours and hours in doing what inspires you versus spending hours and hours of time being bored, or burned out. Your life is worth more than money. It may take a while, but find a job that excites you.
- Get yourself off your mind so much by being kind to someone else. If you notice that someone has a need, take care of it for them. You can do so directly, or anonymously. Volunteering is an excellent way to help others.
- Be thankful. One of the ways to remind yourself of how much you have to be thankful for is to write it down. Noticeably people who weekly write in a “gratitude journal” feel more energized and more optimistic about life.
- A recent study showed that people who frequently check their email are more stressed out than those who only check three times. Those who spend more time on social media report lower self-esteem and feel less connected to others. Make yourself happy and unplug from the internet more often.
Spend more of your time and money on experiences (example: family vacations, etc.) instead of buying more “stuff”.
Do you find it ironic that people depend on outside sources such as technology, possessions, mood altering substances, and money, to make themselves happy, and yet they are not? Being happy comes from within you, not from anything apart from you.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/19/living/feat-project-happy-10-ways/index.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimanzi-constable/4-ways-to-live-a-happier-_b_5589073.html
