Build Happiness in Steps
ByPeople who write happiness books have an agenda of saying it is important in our lives. They have researched and come to the conclusion that almost everything we do is aimed at finding happiness. Ancient philosophers happen to agree.
If it isn’t true, ask your self the question, “Am I happier not being happy?” Does that sound like a trick? The truth is, we often sabotage our chances at being happy and then mask our pain with short term substitutes like shopping, gambling, food, alcohol, drugs, anger, sex, and other types of addictions and abuse.
My experience of building happiness in steps is that like healthy eating and fitness, you can add good things and take out the bad things. In her book Happiness for No Reason, Marci Shimoff has a top 100 list of people who are happy for no reason. Their happiness is not based on achievement or wealth or the other plateaus we often aim at believing they will deliver happiness.
I spent a lot of years getting cheap thrills from achievement, acquisitions, and abuses. They delivered short term highs, but not sustained highs. I would soon wake up or find that the thrill of an acquisition or achievement had habituated. That means that if we experience something everyday, the thrill often dissipates as we start taking it for granted.
I found happiness through having passions and expressing myself. I found happiness through discovering healthy eating and exercise was connecting me to my physical potential. The self esteem, confidence, discipline and risk taking that develops moves one out of their comfort zones. Knowing you have the discipline to move foward and achieve objectives opens the whole world for you.
I have always sought connection to nature and my move to the beach solidified this desire. Daily walks, sunsets, sunrises, and surfing make me feel a part of a larger universe or plan. Surrendering to the beauty and power of nature and trusting that what ever happens to you is part of the over all plan gives you a peacefulness.
Most authors have agreed that gratitude is both at the top of the list for happiness characteristics and indicators of happiness. Creating a life of integrity, responsibility, contribution, and love can make everyday worthwhile. Take care of yourself, and then help others take care of themselves.
Each day add a little good and take something that’s distracting, like TV, or negative, like an addiction, out of your life.
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Get a website where you can express your ideas daily or promote a business…KaalmMediaGroup
View a list of books that will add to your daily happiness Resources
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