Have You Ever Tasted The Fruit Of Pure Happiness?

Have you ever been really happy? Have you ever tasted the fruit of pure happiness? Have you ever completed a task with that feeling of YES! I gave it my all. I'm really happy and proud with what I've done. Have you ever had that inner glow and outer radiation? But was it happiness?

You see, most of us have replaced happiness with pleasure. Pleasure is those times when you feel terrific like after eating a fantastic meal with excellent company. Pleasure is when you loll for hours in that hot bath. Pleasure is when you indulge yourself in that spa weekend. Pleasure is when you watch our favourite team play?..But it ain't Happiness! The bad news is that Happiness is not an emotional state. Happiness is not the feeling you get when you are enjoying yourself. It's much, much more than that. What makes people truly happy, satisfied and fulfilled?

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, (pronounced "chick-sent-me-high-ee") director of the Quality of Life Research Centre at the Druker School of Management, Claremont, USA has spent years researching what makes us happy.

And he and his colleagues have found that happiness can only be achieved when you are totally involved in something. When, you are totally immersed. When, you are participating to the full. You know, when you are enjoying yourself so much you have no idea what the time is, what day it is, what is happening around you. You are really happy.

His research involving 250,000 people from every continent including chess players, rock climbers, musicians, people who meditate, artists, sports people and people from all walks of life shows that:

? the times when you find yourself fully absorbed in something. Totally focussed, totally immersed and totally concentrated. Whether it be at work, playing with the children or meditating.

? the times when you don't notice time passing.

? the times when you keep going without being aware of what's around you....The state where?? I give Graham a cup of tea and he doesn't even know I've placed it on his desk next to the screen?..

? the state where you really enjoy what you are doing and when you come up for air you are totally satisfied with what you have been doing. In other words you are really connected: heart and soul. You really enjoy what you were doing.

? the times when you were reading a stimulating book and when you put your head up everyone has gone off to bed.

? the times when you are so involved playing your favourite sport, you forget everything else

that's when you feel really happy.

Happiness is: the flow state. The state when you feel that you are on a roll. Where everything you do is effortless and just flows. The feeling you get when you completely lose yourself in what you are doing. The time, when time stops. You are in the "grove" and everything is working for you. You are in total harmony with yourself. The irony is, that this great feeling of happiness happens, not when you are relaxing or watching TV or enjoying the company of your friends. Happiness is achieved when you challenge yourself.

When, you stretch yourself. When you are doing what you enjoy doing most. When you are totally absorbed in what you are doing. When, you put yourself out there. When, you exceed your expectations.

So what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose. All you have to do is put those oughts, shoulds and musts behind you and follow your heart. Lose yourself in what you really want to do. Enter the flow world where:

"being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you're using your skills to the utmost." (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)

That's Happiness!

Go on. Go for it!

Good Luck

Graham and Julie www.desktop-meditation.com

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels. Please go to: http://www.desktop-meditation.com It's free.

---

Inevitable Changes and Changeless Connections

Sometimes change is pleasant. A child is born. A new... Read More

Simplify - and Be Happy

People's lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do... Read More

What is the Ultimate Lifestyle?

Since the mission of this newsletter is to help you... Read More

Emotional Baggage

We all have them. It has many faces. We carry... Read More

What Does It Take To Be Happy?

What does it take to be happy? In our age... Read More

Red Balloon of Happiness

Just when you think you know it all, some 17-month... Read More

There is a Cure for the Summertime Blues

I have never lived anywhere else where when you walk... Read More

10 Easy Ways You Can Feel Happier, Be Healthier and Live Longer Starting NOW!

Let's just say? first thing when you popped out of... Read More

If You Can Dream It you Can Do It!

Confuscious, the Chinese Philospher is quoted as saying : "I... Read More

Live Happily Ever After!

So many people overwork themselves literary in the quest for... Read More

Get Out Those Legos

Many of my clients are working harder than smarter. This... Read More

Happiness Is A State Of Mind, Im Happy... I Think!

You have the power to attract and repel anything in... Read More

Happiness Is In Our Own Hands

Other people can bring tremendous happiness to our lives but... Read More

Giving Attention To Happiness

When I left England in 2000 there did not seem... Read More

Could Your Thoughts Sabotage Your Happiness? Take This Quiz And Find Out

Women are conditioned to be people pleasers. Women are taught... Read More

Health and Happiness - Self Test

First of all, examine yourself outwardly.Look at your fingernails. Are... Read More

No Happiness Without Patience

I'm searching for modern happiness. The old-fashioned kind takes just... Read More

Laughter

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."... Read More

Inner Peace

Are you content and at inner peace?Or are you insecure... Read More

How to Be Happy!

How would you like to have at least an extra... Read More

Design Psychology: How to Create Happy Homes Using Scents

Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and trigger... Read More

Lifes Like that

It is now 5 years since I passed out of... Read More

A Model of Happiness

Everyone I've ever met considers happiness to be desirable. There... Read More

Being Together

When it comes to happiness, togetherness is probably the most... Read More

Have You Ever Tasted The Fruit Of Pure Happiness?

Have you ever been really happy? Have you ever tasted... Read More

Ode to Chocolate

Chocolate delays reality. When I am eating chocolate, everything is... Read More

10 Tips for Living the Life of Your Dreams

Why Are You Here?When I ask this question, I'm not... Read More

Discover a Momentary Miracle

Each moment is filled with miracles - very special treasures... Read More

How to Stop Attracting Negative People to Your Life

Placing your attention, energy and focus on the negative aspects... Read More

A Great Life? How to Score Your Life

Is your life really the life you want?Quickly determine how... Read More

Three Inspirations for Happiness

The following three inspirations were adapted from A Daily Dose... Read More

Personal Alchemy, Turn Your Suffering into Gold

I am sure it is safe to say that each... Read More

Can Money Buy You Happiness?

Well, doesn't that depend on what's causing you to be... Read More