LIFE LESSON: The pursuit of happiness doesn’t exist!
When it comes right down to it, if you pursue happiness, you’ll never quite catch up to it.
The truth is, most of us get caught up in the “Life will get better when. . .” mentality. That thought process only brings more “Life will get better when” moments, and ultimately, happiness comes up short.
That doesn’t mean you’ll never be happy, though—you deserve to be happy!
Happy people live by three unwritten laws—three secrets that are super simple to apply in your own life and make a world of difference.
Secret to Happiness #1
Happiness is an action and one way to feel it immediately is through gratitude.
Gratitude places your thoughts and emotions into a positive state. That’s because no matter who you are, no matter where you’re at in life, there is always something that you can be grateful for. And when you show your gratitude for all that you have, that positivity translates into happiness.
Here’s a short list of ways to bring a little extra gratitude into your life:
· Start a daily gratitude journal.
· Learn to say “thank you” in place of “I’m sorry.” (i.e., “I’m sorry I’m late” can be exchanged for “Thank you for waiting for me”).
· Express gratitude for someone different daily.
· Give yourself a compliment daily.
Secret to Happiness #2
If you really want to live a happy life, there’s no better way than by helping others.
Service gets you focusing on others and their needs. And if you can be at least a little piece of what brings others happiness, you’ll find yourself sharing in that same happiness.
Here are a few simple ways to serve others around you:
· Spend the day smiling as much as you can—it’s contagious!
· Write a note to a loved one.
· Give a neighbor a plate of cookies.
Secret to Happiness #3
To tie the previous two steps together, you need to have purpose in life. True, lasting happiness comes when you have something to live for.
Everyone’s purpose is different. And when you find that drive, you’ll find joy in it daily. To some people, serving others is that purpose. To others, working, art, or even music can be that purpose. Focus on your purpose, and you’ll be consistently happy.
Here are some questions to help you find your purpose in life:
· What activities do you enjoy doing?
· Do you like to be around a lot of people?
· Do you like helping others?
· What are your passions/interests?
Happiness Is a Choice
No matter who you are, you deserve to be happy. Just remember, life is full of ups and downs, but how you handle the downs can make all the difference.
Focus on the positive, and you’ll always make it through the hard times in life. Remember, you’re amazing and life is good!
