People want to know how to find happiness. Ask a happy person why he’s happy and he’ll probably just shrug and say “I don’t know. I just am, I guess.” Is it money or good looks? If you are lucky in love does that ensure happiness? If you are self-employed does that ensure happiness? What is the key to this puzzle? What is the key to happiness?
Five Keys to Happiness
1. Let go. What are you holding on to? Let it go. Did you have a bad childhood? A bad divorce? Did you get passed over for a promotion? Let it go. It is the past and no matter how much you brood about it, it will never be different. Stop looking behind; look around you.
2. Be grateful. Remember the expression Count your blessings. When you start to get down, think about what you have that is great. Start with even one thing. What is one thing in your life that is not rotten? Your car didn’t break down today? Lunch was good. You aren’t dying of cancer. Practice gratitude and recognize the gifts you have.
3. Look on the bright side. Perspective is everything. So you just got fired. Did you really like going there every day? Hadn’t you dreamed of finding a different job? You didn’t get fired; you were set free. It’s all in how you look at it.
4. Use your imagination. Remember how you played and pretended as a kid. You don’t have to stop doing that stuff when you grow up. Make time for a creative outlet, a regular gaming session with the guys or join a sports team. You need time to relax and have fun. Think of it as a second job. Kids spend a lot of their time in unstructured play. Give it a try.
5. Be generous with your time and money. Happy people share their lives with others. They give more to charity and they spend more time in social situations. It is a beneficial cycle. The more time you spend with other people, the more time you want to spend with people. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or help out the children’s theater in your community.
You really can’t find happiness exactly. You can be happy. And then happiness finds you. Albert Einstein once famously said that you can choose to live in a hostile universe or a friendly universe. Happy people live in a friendly universe and you know what? There’s plenty of room for everyone here.
