Most people think they would be happy if they had more “stuff” or more money. A better car or a better house sounds pretty good to most people. But more money and “things” don’t necessarily make you happier.
Having a car might make it easier to be happy if it means you don’t have to walk everywhere. Having more money can make it easier to be happy if you currently can’t pay all your bills. So these things can remove some of the obstacles to being happy, but they don’t really provide happiness.
There are 4 things that do bring happiness, and the best part is that they’re free!
Consider These Ideas To Happiness
1. Someone to love. Everyone needs someone to love. If you don't think you have someone to love, go find someone. The world is full of people that feel unloved so it shouldn't take you too long to find a volunteer. We all need someone to cherish and care for. * Fortunately, the people and animals we genuinely love tend to love us back. 2. Something to do. There are plenty of wealthy people that are miserable because they don't spend their time doing something that they love. Life is about doing and experiencing things. If you spend all day doing stuff you love to do, it's pretty difficult to be unhappy. * Find ways to spend your time in activities that are meaningful to you. Make a list and start incorporating those things into your life on a daily basis. If you can find work that you're passionate about, so much the better for you! 3. Something to look forward to. If the only thing you have to look forward to is more of the same, boring routine, it's difficult to be happy. Everyone should have something to look forward to in the near future. * Think about something you'd really like to do or see. Maybe it could be something as simple as a yoga class. If you love going to yoga on Thursday nights, it can make your Mondays a little easier when you know that yoga is looming in your future. 4. Using downtime joyfully. Perhaps your biggest challenge is dealing with downtime. When you're bored, lonely, anxious, or sad and don't have something to do, it's easy to resort to less than ideal behaviors. These behaviors not only accomplish nothing positive, but they can also make your life more challenging. * This would include things like watching TV, surfing the internet, eating when you aren't hungry, shopping for stuff you don't really want or need, drinking, drugs, serial dating, and more. These behaviors do nothing to solve the underlying issue and can create more difficulties. * Coping with negative feelings effectively makes life much easier. Read something worthwhile, go for a jog, meet up with a friend and do something fun, make a new friend, or work on a hobby. Substitute you're negative habits with new, more beneficial habits that bring you closer to the good life you imagine for you and your family. * Learn to take a moment and pause before you go on autopilot. If you're going for the fridge and you're not hungry, simply STOP. Ask yourself why you're doing this and what other action you could take.
If you think you’re unhappy because you don’t have enough money or toys, you’re probably mistaken.
Having meaningful relationships, something to do, something to look forward to, and not shooting yourself in the foot are the keys. Find ways to incorporate these ideas into your life and you’ll be much happier!
Happiness Affirmations
I am free to choose to be happy.
I boldly walk forward in the direction of my hopes, goals, and dreams, leaving my past behind me. Each step that I take brings me closer to a happier, healthier me.
Regardless of what has come before, I am the author of my own destiny. I have the power to create my own future and the ability to achieve my highest aspirations.
I am happy when I take ownership of my life.
Each new day is a new opportunity to be more joyful. Regardless of the circumstances, I can find at least some goodness in everything and everyone.
As I make progress on my journey, I am open to new places and experiences. I already possess everything that I need to live a happy, fulfilled life, and I am filled with hope and confidence.
When I encounter an obstacle that blocks my path, I easily find a way around it so I can continue on my journey. I find these challenges exciting and helpful as they strengthen my determination to live the life I desire.
Today, I am happy because I respect myself. I take time each day to de-stress and recharge. I focus on what makes me happy and brings me joy.
Self-Reflection Questions
- What activity can I incorporate into my daily life that brings me joy?
- What are the innermost desires of my heart?
- What tasks can I delegate so I have more time to do what I love?
10% Happier Book Summary In 1 Picture
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story by Dan Harris
From the Back Cover
Winner of the 2014 Living Now Book Award for Inspirational Memoir
After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong nonbeliever, he found himself on a bizarre adventure involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists. Eventually, Harris realized that the source of his problems was the very thing he always thought was his greatest asset: the incessant, insatiable voice in his head, which had propelled him through the ranks of a hypercompetitive business, but had also led him to make the profoundly stupid decisions that provoked his on-air freak-out.
Eventually Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain. 10% Happier takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.
If you are interested, you can click here to buy this book.
Dan Harris: “10% Happier” Talks At Google
Related Resources
You might be interested in 8 Factors of Happiness by Tanmay Vora at qaspire.com
Leave a Reply