What does happiness really mean? All we know is that, we feel a variety of good emotions such as joy, pride, satisfaction and a sense of gratitude in life. For one person, happiness could be a big achievement while for another, it could be those small little things. For me, happiness is all those wonderful experiences and the appreciation for it besides wanting to make the most out of my life. We do not know what the future holds for us, but we do know that, we can lead a happy life if we want to. Wondering how is that possible? It takes discipline to build long-term happiness if only you knew certain tricks, and in my dictionary, I call it the magical guide.
By focusing on the positive things and limiting our negative thinking, we can be happier. Positive emotions are more likely to motivate people to plan ahead and consider actions they would like to engage in the future. In fact, one positive step in the direction of our dream can make all the difference since it provides tangible evidence that our goal is within grasp. In many instances, positivity allows people to think about what they actually want in life and how to attain it? If we have a mindset that today will be a good day, we will be more likely to recognize the positive aspects of our day. However, if we think to ourselves, today is a miserable day, we will instead be more aware of unpleasant situations, and our day will continue to deteriorate. This is a liberating concept because it implies that we have some control over our emotions. Hence, developing a positive mindset in this way can genuinely transform our life and make us happy.
We are all susceptible to disbelief, negative communications as well as lack of hope, and reaching out to our loved ones is the greatest way to get back on track. This is because, our family inspires us to be the best version of ourselves. Family time is important for a person’s development since it fosters adaptation and resilience. Family members also coach each other through life’s ups and downs that teach us valuable lessons. In reality, spending time with family teaches interpersonal communication skills, such as how to discuss and solve problems in a healthy and constructive manner. Being with our family makes us feel that we are cared for, and that we are wanted, which gives us a sense of meaning and purpose. This assurance makes us happy besides motivating us to keep moving forward, to grow, and to succeed in life. Friends could make us happy too as they are also an extension of our family. Undoubtedly, our social ties may have a favourable impact on our overall mood. Therefore, make it a point to have an enjoyable quality time with family and friends during our free time.
On the other hand, it is crucial to take a step back and nurture self-care by taking some time for yourself. Taking time for yourself is essential for personal development and growth. Our life is continuously going at a breakneck speed, so fast, as a matter of fact, that having a minute alone to sit and think about life is probably rare. Sometimes life can also be chaotic with busy schedules, and thus it is even more vital to carve out time for yourself to reflect on what is going on in your life such as relationships, forthcoming events as well as processing something that happened few days ago or the week before. Thus, being alone provides the ideal opportunity for some self-reflection. Getting away and being alone may do wonders as well as help you discover what true happiness means. Make the most of this time by engaging in activities that bring you joy, such as a favourite hobby be it cooking, reading, meditating, swimming or even as simple as watching a movie. In return, you would have the freedom to develop your own ideas, be creative and put them into action exactly how you wish to.
Another way to be happy is to enjoy your own life instead of comparing it to others. If you compare someone’s strengths and your flaws, you will always come across as a loser and that would make you very unhappy. No one is perfect, and if you look at it another way, you will understand that your imperfection is what defines you as a person. Rather than focusing on your flaws, ask yourself what your strengths are and celebrate them proudly. When we discover a strength and put it to use, we become happier. We tend to enjoy and experience happiness when we get exceptionally proficient at something. Finding methods to leverage our skills on a daily basis is essential to lead a happy life. Learn to love yourself as if you always seek what others have, you will never be satisfied. Life is a journey, so embrace it since it is all about what we want to accomplish in life.
Having a mindful awareness of what we are grateful for can truly affect our happiness level. A sense of gratitude may transform our life by teaching us to value what we have rather than what we lack. When we are thankful for what we have in life, we are more inclined to eat healthier, exercise and take better care of ourselves. Being grateful has a significant impact too on our body as it not only improves our physical and mental health, but also boosts our self-esteem and creates a positive environment. That realization gives us a greater sense of hope for the future besides developing a strong connection and bond with others. In actual fact, gratitude has the capacity to transform our life because it is the most powerful source of inspiration available to everyone who takes time to appreciate the beauty of life.
In short, trust yourself that you have the power to change your life. This means accepting the basic truth that you can be happy if you choose to. Our thinking, the behaviours we adopt, and the way we live each day all have a role in how happy we can be. The most effective approach to long-term satisfaction is to consider not only your own interests, but also the interests of others as well. Remember, you will relieve a burden in your life and enjoy more happiness besides freedom when you own your triumphs and failures. Most important of all, when you grasp your life’s purpose, you will know how to be happy because you will have a life worth living for. In essence, living a happier and more fulfilled life is possible, regardless of your definition of ultimate happiness.