Over the course of my life's journey I have come to realize that happiness is much more something we must choose then something that simply comes and goes according to random events or obstacles that are thrown our way in life.
In the past I found myself under the illusion that if I attained certain goals, or succeeded at certain things then happiness would follow - which in the short term I'll concede that it often did.
The problem with this is that I was often left chasing my next batch of happiness, as though it were something that I could only have for short intervals in between accomplishments. The problem was that over time I realized that I wanted more - I wanted to feel joy on a more consistent basis. I didn't want it to be something I had to continuously chase after. In other words I wanted the kind of happiness that didn't require me to attain something in order to have the feeling.
Fortunately I've come to the realization that for the most part I can choose to be happy on a daily basis. In order to do this at times it may even mean faking it - better yet, forcing the feelings until the genuine happiness and gratitude sets in.
I've found that something as simple as smiling can do wonders to help me see that I have in me the ability to choose to be happy.
I believe one of the best things we can do is to live in the moment, it does wonders when it comes to cultivating a life filled with ongoing happiness. Taking the time to reflect and be grateful for the things we have accomplished can also have an enormous impact when it comes to lifting our moods.
I'd strongly encourage you to take breaks during the day to ponder those happy memories that you've collected in your life and make it a point to build new ones as well.
I believe it is also worth noting that sometimes in life we are just going to feel down. People are going to do things that disappoint or hurt us. We are going to have our hearts broken and we're going to have to deal with all sorts of loss. Life is not all smiles unfortunately.
However, while I believe we have to acknowledge that some days are filled with sadness -- I don't believe it does us any long-term good to spend any length of time dwelling on them, in doing so we are only giving power to things that we have no control over. Instead remind yourself that you are making the choice to choose happiness.
Deciding to move forward and choosing happiness over sorrow is a tough choice. Sometimes you may feel as though you are fighting an uphill battle. At other times it will seem that the dark clouds may never give way to the sunshine. It is at those very moments that we have to remind ourselves that somewhere amidst whatever chaos may surround us -- we still have the choice to decide on happiness.
Practice making this choice by doing things that make you smile, as well as bring joy to others. When you share kindness it always finds its way back to you.
-- May your life be filled with much happiness, Josh Hinds
Josh Hinds of
One of the most important colors in advertising is the... Read More
If you have a very low self esteem or a... Read More
I talked in a recent article about how every moment... Read More
Imagine for a moment you have been given a task.... Read More
The world is becoming obsessed with money and all things... Read More
I want to share with you today one of those... Read More
Too many of us seem to think that there should... Read More
Confuscious, the Chinese Philospher is quoted as saying : "I... Read More
Yes, it might feel great to win the lottery. Money,... Read More
When I was in graduate school for psychology, we had... Read More
The year is almost half over. Many of us are... Read More
I ran a contest in "Your Daily Dose of Happiness"... Read More
If you're an employer or a manager then work place... Read More
My grandmother, Mimi, was a great solitaire player. My family... Read More
"Don't you understand, everything in this life is meaningless," cautioned... Read More
Other people can bring tremendous happiness to our lives but... Read More
Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and triggers... Read More
Every disease or ailment, whether it be cancer, diabetes, arthritis,... Read More
Joy is sexy because in embracing our joy, we embrace... Read More
1. Do not act in order to receive a payoff.This... Read More
Let's just say? first thing when you popped out of... Read More
I love this quote by Zig Ziglar, and think it's... Read More
Imagine discovering a way to get rid of your fears... Read More
Breaking the cycle is a term we have all heard.... Read More
Does the expression "single and happy" sound like an oxymoron... Read More
In preparation for a class I taught today, I spent... Read More
Romance is conveyed in so many different ways.One less commonly... Read More
Is your life really the life you want?Quickly determine how... Read More
The demands of being a good person can sometimes mean... Read More
Aromatics which include essential oils, perfume, centred candles and incense,... Read More
We can all be confident when we are sure of... Read More
In life, many of us simply plunge ahead, only to... Read More
We are all familiar with or have heard of the... Read More
One of my favorite songs is Bobby McFerrin's refrain, "Don't... Read More
I assume you want to be happier. Searching for greater... Read More
As a coach, I often ask myself the question why... Read More
Of all the people who know me, no one would... Read More
Our feelings and attitudes have a huge impact on our... Read More
The seeds you sow determine the crop you reap. This... Read More
According to researchers like Martin Seligman, Daniel Kahneman and Ed... Read More
When I tell you what I heard you'll be able... Read More
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day... Read More
Your karmic number interpretation tells you what you need to... Read More
Happiness comes to a person when it is caused by... Read More
"Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but... Read More
"Happiness is the whole aim and end of human... Read More
When it comes to happiness, togetherness is probably the most... Read More
What is happiness? The dictionary defines it as "a state... Read More
Passion Love Action You! Playing with your own divinity, spirit,... Read More
I'm searching for modern happiness. The old-fashioned kind takes just... Read More
Humans are liable to experience a variety of afflictions, but... Read More
People's lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do... Read More
1. Do not act in order to receive a payoff.This... Read More
If your blood is still pumping through your veins, you... Read More
The one feature that sets life on Earth apart from... Read More
What is it that everyone is seeking? Happiness with no... Read More
Did you know that according to research, children laugh about... Read More
If you have a very low self esteem or a... Read More
Have you ever had an experience where everything you wanted... Read More
As a teenager growing up reading 'Blue Jeans' and 'Jackie',... Read More
Sometimes change is pleasant. A child is born. A new... Read More
If you're an employer or a manager then work place... Read More
Taking a Magickal Bath doesn't have to be complicated. It... Read More
Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and triggers... Read More
"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise... Read More
I used to work for the Independent National Newspaper in... Read More
Finding Happiness |