Happiness is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed. We’ve all seen people who are always happy – even amidst agonizing life trials. I’m not saying happy people don’t feel grief, sorrow or sadness; they just don’t let it overtake their life. Here is a list of things I believe happy people do to keep themselves happy, just interesting
1. Appreciate Life
Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be happy today, yesterday is gone, tommorow will be what it will be
2. Choose Friends Wisely
Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed. If you surround yourself with drug users, you may become one, negative nasty people, you may become one, I believe this is vital in being happy, not having to stress over people, and if a person comes along you don’t care for, lose them
3. Be Considerate
Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with. Sadly not everyone will go for it, but I think it’s important to try
4. Learn Continuously
Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving. I used to this a lot more, now I am restricted somewhat, I have learnt new things and new ways and different things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing if my pain hadn’t arrived, like writing 🙂
5. Creative Problem Solving
Don’t wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don’t let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts – it’s almost always right. I sometimes get this, but I get it out of my system very quickly, I find with this blog, when a moment arrived I don’t like, if I get it out of my system by blogging it, it releases it, just a moment I look at it as
6. Do What They Love
Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there’s so many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy – the extra money of a job you detest isn’t worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests. I worked in football and fixed computers, two things I love doing, so I was getting pain for things I actually liked doing, and I had my own business
7. Enjoy Life
Take the time to see the beauty around you. There’s more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don’t live in the past or the future. Like I always say, if you are happy THIS SECOND then life is good, moments matter
8. Laugh
Don’t take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humour in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself – no one’s perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances. (Naturally there are times that you should be serious as it would be improper to laugh.) I am a prankster and always goofing around. Reading my blog you may get another feel for me, but it is impossible to truly get a 100% feel for a person through reading font, it can take a LONG time to get to know real people in your life, never mind people on the internet, I am a joker, serves me well, try it
9. Forgive
Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself. Something I taught myself, I could hate several people in my personal life for things in my past but what’s the point, the past is the past, let it go, as I say, if you don’t like a person all too much, don’t have them in your life, but always try to find a common ground
10. Gratitude
Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life. I tell Dawn and the World I am blessed even though I live in agony, I want to live and be happy, so I choose to do this
11. Invest in Relationships
Always make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to spend with them. Don’t break your promises to them. Be supportive. These days people help me and Dawn, but we both are always thankful and if I make Dawn or one of the kids a promise I do my best to see it through, even if in pain
12. Keep Their Word
Honesty is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones. I am as honest as they come, in my life I don’t see the point in being dishonest, in the end you will only get hurt, I know people who make their life up as they go along, some do it because they have nothing and want to feel better about themselves, some just lie, so being honest means you will have to remember less
13. Meditate
Meditation gives your very active brain a rest. When it’s rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level. Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations, visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and make the time to practice daily. Something I know works for people I know, I have a CD I listen to just now and I lay in bed with a headset on and just drift away, works for me, it gives you “me time” and when you open your eyes you do feel like you have rested
14. Mind Their Own Business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don’t judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to – including you. I did the blog a few down “Live and let live” and this is what I mean here, I allow opinions even if they are insane, because if someone has an opinion and they believe it to be true, who am I to get involved? I am not going to argue with someone who has a way of thinking different to my own, good practice this one!
15. Optimism
See the glass as half full. Find the positive side of any given situation. It’s there – even though it may be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative thought creeps in – replace it with a positive thought, this is a real tough one for me personally, I find it hard to be positive sometimes, but even when I am having a really bad day in pain, I find a way to be positive, laughter is a brilliant release for pain and I am optimistic all will be well one day with my pain and I know my family will be well
16. Love Unconditionally
Accept others for who they are. You don’t put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always like the actions of your loved ones – you continue to love them. Something I 100% do all the time, people make mistakes, say things they don’t mean, but it is a moment sometimes, so I accept people for who and what they are, some family get me down, but I learn to live and let live
17. Persistence
Never give up. Face each new challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are always happiest while pursuing something of value to us. Like me not doing football, I am DETERMINED I will get back, I am only 40 years old with 15 years experience and 19 trophies won and also 12 certificated in football (Soccer) managment
18. Be Proactive
Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don’t waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond. I find it hard, but I accepted the new pain me, I still have the odd day or moment, but all in, I have accepted my new life so here I am, writing about it, lol
19. Self Care
Take care of your mind, body and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it with interesting and exciting challenges.
20. Self Confidence
Don’t try to be someone that you’re not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside – your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best you can and don’t second guess yourself. I say it how it is and do it as it says on the box, I never second guess people, I am a “See what happened” type of guy, and I am as confident as they come, I am a confident person
21. Take Responsibility
Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they have made a mistake. Begin today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily lifestyle – the happier you will be. I believe this to be true, but it is only an opinion, I may be wrong, BUT…
Most of all: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
If you think there is anything you can add to this list or disagree with, please, leave a message. This is my thinking, but feel free to copy the 21 things and give me your take or your way of thinking on them, please do in-fact, call it a writing challenge
IF YOU WANT TO, COPY THE 21 WAYS I PUT IN TO BE HAPPY AND ADD YOUR OWN THOUGHTS, AND LEAVE ON A REPLY HERE. Please, I would like that!!
More love, Less hate
Shaun
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