One Dozen Timeless Ways to be Happy
“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” – Mark Twain
In case you haven’t made dinner reservations for next Saturday night, which is Valentine’s Day, it’s probably too late now. Similarly, I was in the grocery store yesterday afternoon and I noticed a swarm of people at the greeting card rack. It was a good prompt for me to find a card for Mary Beth before the selection is completely picked over.
While my wife and I celebrate Valentine’s Day, either one of us feel the pressure to exchange predictable gifts. Rather, we try to give what is needed to be whole and complete inside and outside of our relationship everyday – not just on Valentine’s Day.
What we want most for the other is just to be happy. Personal happiness is the foundation upon which to build and share a life. However, how we achieve happiness can be different for each one of us.
Our passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives. Some find happiness in their careers while others find ways to be happy in their marriages or other relationships
No matter how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your life. The following one dozen timeless ways to be happy can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and peace into your life.
- Notice What’s Right
Some of us see the glass as being half-full and others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. The next time you get in the slow line at the grocery store, take the opportunity to pick up a tabloid magazine and do some “guilty pleasure” reading. Take all that life throws out you and reframe it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes. - Be Grateful
How many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness. - Remember the Kid You Were
Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and play! - Be Kind
There is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives. - Spend Time with Your Friends
Although an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your friends and make the friendships a priority in your life. - Savor Every Moment
To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives. - Rest
There are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time, as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest. - Move!
The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind – a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase your happiness is to move! - Put on a Happy Face
Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives. - Pursue Your Goals
- Finding Your Calling
- Get into the Flow
The absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life full of passion and enthusiasm. Pursue your goals and watch your happiness soar.
Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can perhaps bring the greatest joy of all.
Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can lose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow.
And two more just to sweeten the pot a little more.
- Play to Your Strengths
One way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better incorporate them in all aspects of our lives. - Don’t Overdo It
Know when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.
Learning to be happy on all the days between, too
Valentine’s Day is a great marker on the calendar to remind us of the importance of love and how good it feels to be in love. I’m at my best when I know Mary Beth is happy. I believe she would say the same thing.
While we will find a special way to celebrate on Saturday, we don’t need Valentine’s Day to remember to do something special for one another. We try to honor and support each other on the days from February 15 until February 13, too.
Perhaps what we try to honor most is the value true happiness provides. A bouquet of red roses, a delicious dinner, or a box of gourmet chocolate candies are wonderful, but of all the things I could give my wife I know what she really wants most is for me to be happy.
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Comments
5 Responses to “One Dozen Timeless Ways to be Happy”
What do you think?
I totally agree with everything you’ve written in this article.
Don’t overdo is the topic i liked very much. Often we over do and that is the cause of trouble. Very practical approach! Nice article.
@ Jasmin: Thanks so much for reading and being a part of The BridgeMaker community.
@ Rajoo: Overdoing it is something I have to keep my eye too.
Great article, Alex. I love your list and would add just one more…Laugh! Learn to lighten up and not take things so seriously. Learn to laugh at yourself, at life, at a silly comedy, at the antics of young children, your dog, whatever…laughter is good for the soul.
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