So, you just want to live a happy life? You are in very good company to be sure, since a general state of “happiness” is a primary goal – often an elusive one – for the majority of people you’ll ever meet.
Remember this:
“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” – Dale Carnegie
In other words, happiness begins in the mind … it is an internal job, not an external one. And yes, it’ takes effort – you do not simply become happy. You create happiness through positive actions … daily. Living a happy life requires deliberate action and thought.
But living a happy life isn’t as hard as it may seem. Below I will discuss 12 things that you can do right away that will increase your sense of happiness and make your life much more fulfilling.
1 - Invest time in your relationships. Your social networks – or relationships – are absolutely essential to your happiness. And just like anything else in life that you’d like to improve, relationships require a time investment. People are different, so accept people for who and what they are, embrace their differences as opportunities to learn, steer clear of clashes and constant arguments, and let go of your resentments.
2 - Being thankful perpetuates happiness. We have so much to be thankful for. Taking time to thank those who provide even the smallest benefit to your life will help you realize just how abundant your life really is.
3 - News is stressful. Get less of it. Turn off the evening news – if there is something you need to know about, some one who spends their time watching the news will tell you.
4 - Join a church. Being part of a unified spiritual group – with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations, and community involvement – encourages inner peace.
5 - Manage your time. Time is an invaluable resource and much too important to waste. In the words of my late grandfather, “Time is like money … there is no evidence of its existence when squandered.”
6 - Laugh from the belly every day. Share good jokes with your friends and family. It is SO true -”Laughter is the best medicine”.
7 - Share what is going on inside of you. Be sure that you don’t bottle things up. Communicate your feelings, affections, friendship and passion with the people who are close to you.
8 - Control your anger. Do your best to keep a lid on your anger. It is counter-productive and bad for your health. Instead, find ways of expressing your feelings in a way that will not cause injury to you or anyone else.
9 - Work hard at something you enjoy. Working hard on things that you feel are worthy of your time will bring great personal satisfaction and a deep sense of meaning. As the Bible says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23
10 - Learn something new every day. Learning is a joyful exercise, so exercise your mind frequently. Do your best to learn something new every day, either through reading, video or some other form of instructional media.
11 - Exercise your body daily. Run, jog, walk, swim, do push-ups and sit-ups … whatever physical activity or workout plan you enjoy doing. Movement is what your body was made for. Move more and you’ll feel more alive.
12 - Avoid negativity like the plague that it is. Do your absolute best to limit your exposure to negative people and negative elements such as loud noises, toxins and hazardous places … and the news!
Do your best to follow these simple ways to a happy life – on a daily basis – and you’ll be richly rewarded … you’ll most likely notice the difference on day one!
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