Where To Find Happiness

How happy are you?
Would you say that you're happy, most of the time, sometimes or perhaps not very often.

Would you like to be happier?
What do you believe makes you happy?

Some of the things I've noticed that bring me happiness are, having a plan and seeing that I'm moving towards my goals. Having fun doing things that are fun for me, like snorkeling, swimming in the ocean, laying in the sun, hiking, most anything outdoors, in nice weather. Being so completely engaged in something, like writing, watching a good movie, gardening or some project where time doesn't exist. Spending my time as I choose, having control over what I do each day makes me happy. My cats add to my happiness, having loving, positive, happy people in my life adds to my happiness. Seeing other peoples success and happiness makes me happy. I've noticed I'm the happiest when I'm doing what I really want to be doing in life and not what I think I'm suppose to be doing. It's much easier to appreciate what I have, when it's what I want. I'm also less likely to be concerned with what others are doing or saying because I'm enjoying my life too much to care.

The Abraham-Hicks exercise "The Rampage Of Appreciation" found in their book Ask and It is Given
http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource/askitisgiven.php is an excellent way to develop your appreciation muscle for looking at what's good and right in life.

Also Barbara De Angelis has written a book called Real Moments that describes how our lives are made up of many little moments that bring us happiness.

Did you know that Barbara DeAngelis was married to John Gray the author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? http://home.marsvenus.com/
They were both involved with the TM (Transcendental Meditation) movement back in the 70's.
http://www.tm.org/

Here's a link to her book Real Moments: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Moments-Discover-Secret-Happiness/dp/0440507294

A quote by Barbara DeAngelis : "Love is a choice you make from moment to moment."
I agree and believe the same thing about happiness.


Here's a good article about happiness that I found online:

Written by Alex Blackwell

How we achieve happiness can be different for each one of us. Our passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives. Some find happiness in their careers while others prefer the bliss found in their marriages or other intimate relationship.

No matter how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your life. The following 14 ways to live a happy life can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and peace into your life.

1. Notice What’s Right

Some of us see the glass as being half-full, while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. The next time you are in a slow line at the grocery store, take the opportunity to talk to the person near you or pick up a magazine and do some reading. Take all that life throws out you and re-frame it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will be more content, peaceful and happy. Take the time to begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes.

2. Be Grateful

How many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness.

3. Remember the Kid You Were

Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and play!

4. Be Kind

There is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives.

5. Spend Time with Your Friends

Although an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your friends and make the friendships a priority in your life.

6. Savor Every Moment

To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives.

7. Rest

There are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time, as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest.

8. Move!

The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind – a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase your happiness is to move!

9. Put on a Happy Face

Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.

10. Pursue Your Goals

The absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life full of passion and enthusiasm. pursue your goals and watch your happiness soar.

11. Finding Your Calling

Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can perhaps bring the greatest joy of all

12. Get into the Flow

Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can loose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow.

13. Play to Your Strengths

One way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better incorporate them in all aspects of our lives.

14. Don’t Overdo It

Know when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.

This guest article was written by Alex Blackwell. Alex writes about how to improve relationships, sustain happiness and create lasting success at his blog The Next 45 Years. If you liked this article, you may also enjoy 7 Practical Personal Development Strategies.



Some links to exploring happiness:


http://www.examiner.com/x-15753-SF-Wellness-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Are-you-living-a-happy-life-Take-the-happiness-test-and-find-out


http://www.grandtimes.com/happiness.html


http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/09/26/how-to-find-happiness/




Hope some of these tips were helpful.
Enjoy your day, enjoy your life!