Why Money is Only One Third of Happiness

 
If you think that making money will make you happy, then please continue reading this article. In my personal experience, you need two more things to be really happy...

The goal of this post is to open your mind a little a bit and show you the real path to happiness, so that you won't waste too much time and energy working ONLY to earn more money.

Let me share my personal theory on what makes people happy and hopefully, you'll see this making money thing from a different angle.

First, it is a fact that many rich people are unhappy. It is also a fact that many rich people were so unhappy that they committed suicide.

So just having a lot of money does not make you happy.

You may think, "Yeah, but I'm different. When I am rich, I'll be happy!"

I am quite sure that this is not the case, so let me try to convince you otherwise.

Three things are necessary for your happiness. Without them you CANNOT be happy.

(Of course, many smaller factors also affect your level of happiness, and we'll talk about them, too.)

1. You MUST do what you love.

There is no way around this one. If you have to be in a job where you do things that you don't like, you won't be happy.

It's logical right? Not like = not happy

Many people blind themselves and say, "Well, it's not so bad; I'm quite happy. I earn a good salary and spend weekends playing tennis, going to the movies, going out with my friends and..."

What they are saying is that if they are happy two out of seven days, then they are happy.

I am saying that there is a happiness with which you can be happy seven out seven days, and it's a much deeper and more fulfilling feeling than this superficial, short-lived, flying high feeling.

You need to be involved in some kind of activity that makes you happy. Something that is your passion.
For me this was and is tennis. I used to watch tennis on TV for hours, although I was a semi-professional volleyball player and I was studying electrical engineering.

I liked volleyball, my teammates and all the social parts of it, I hated electrical engineering and I was obsessed with tennis. I could watch it for hours, and I could play it for hours without ever getting bored or tired of it.

You need to find something like this in your life and then STICK to it. Do whatever you need to to make this passion your main activity.

Your happiness depends on it.

2. You MUST make other people happy.

This one is often overlooked, and the main reason is ego - selfishness.

Although you might think that you just want things for yourself, you will realize sooner or later that we are social beings and we thrive on being appreciated and loved.

We must feel that we are NEEDED, for whatever reason.

As a tennis coach I get this feeling from sharing my experience with other people, and from their appreciation of my sharing.

It gives me great pleasure when people tell me how their mental game or their general tennis game has improved. It gives me great pleasure when I receive e-mails from people who didn't buy anything from my website, but enjoyed the free information I offer.

By the way, this is one of the reasons that blogs are so popular. It's easy for people to leave their opinions and thoughts about certain topics, and this makes the owner of the blog very happy.

It doesn't matter what you do as long as you are USEFUL.

You can clean streets or hotel rooms, make pancakes or ice cream, be a waiter, make bicycles, sell juicers, repair vacuum cleaners... Whatever, there are millions of things that people need on this planet.
And as long as you feel useful and appreciated by other people, you will find the second third of happiness.

Before you see the last third of happiness, entertain this question for awhile: WHY do so many wealthy internet gurus (and other rich people) STILL sell their services, make new products and work hard every day, when they could just replicate, add new websites and earn more passive income doing almost nothing?

Why?

Because they NEED to be appreciated.

The main drive of most people is to be appreciated, to be useful, and that's why they still keep doing what they are doing even if they have massive amounts of money.

Just think about all the IM names such as Russell Brunson, Mike Filsaime, Joel Comm and tons of other people who have incredible wealth, yet you still receive their promotions about home based business ideas, hear about new products they've developed and find their names all over the Internet.

Some of the reason is their desire for power and money; yet some of it is because of the two basic human needs: to help, and to be useful and appreciated.

You have this need to be appreciated, too; so before you jump into this making money thing, think about how you can earn money and, at the same time, be useful to people and actually be able to hear or read their responses to what you offer.

This will build the second pillar of happiness.

3. You MUST receive GOOD income - MONEY!

I do not believe in the theory that money is not important for happiness.

Maybe if you live in Tibet, stay in some isolated cave and meditate for 12 hours per day, then OK, you got me there.

But if you live in a modern society with cars, cellphones, the Internet, TV, computers, movie theaters, Disney parks, hotels, holiday resorts, airplanes, electricity, taxes, schools and other things that complete the full package, then you need money in order to live a good life.

And you need a lot of money (what "a lot" is depends on your perspective, of course).

How much do you need? I say you need at least $5000 monthly to live a good, modern life. That's $60,000 per year. You are not poor, you are not obscenely rich, yet you can afford most of the pleasures that life offers.

(I'd be happy to hear what you think is a good monthly income in the Western world...)

But the actual key to happiness is not only HOW MUCH money you are earning, but HOW are you earning it.

The power of the Internet allows you to earn money effortlessly. It's passive income, and money just keeps coming in day after day, even of you don't do anything about your websites for awhile.

That is the real freedom: not only financial freedom, but also personal freedom.

Additional factors that make you happy

Of course, other factors also make you happy but, in my opinion, they all are less important than, or are consequences of, the three pillars of happiness discussed above.

The first of those is to be loved. I mean by a partner; whether you are straight or gay doesn't matter.
As long as you have a special soulmate, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a husband or a wife who loves you and whom you love, then you are adding to your happiness.

But know that before someone loves you, you must love and like yourself. How much you are able to like and appreciate yourself is how much someone else will be able to like and appreciate you.

And that's why I believe that doing what you love, making people happy and earning good income precede being loved by someone.

Because the first three pillars WILL make you happy, and that way, you will automatically attract into your life partners who will love and enjoy your happiness, and make you even happier.

Another thing that makes you happy is health. It is, of course, the most important pillar of happiness. No way can you be really happy if you have cancer and you know your life is going to end soon.

But I assume that because you are reading this your health is okay right now (or at least not too bad), that you are interested in learning how to become financially free, and that you are not worried too much about your health.

But still think about it, and don't let junk food and lack of movement spoil the happiness of earning money and being financially free by causing you to become sick.

In summary

Many big and small things make us happy. If your main goal is to earn money and you think that will make you happy, think about it some more.

Money, in my opinion, makes one third of happiness and, unless you do what you are passionate about (what your purpose is) and receive appreciation from other people for what you do, money will not make you happy.

Once you combine all three of these factors, many other things will automatically fall into place, and your life will become a joyous adventure.

Tomaz Mencinger shares his views about personal and financial freedom on his blog http://www.freedomideas.com, where you can also find out how he achieved financial freedom by working from home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leslie_Eldridge

Pursuit of Happiness - 32 Keys to Finding Lasting Happiness in Your Life

When it comes to living a happy and successful life, it essentially boils down to 6 key common factors that one must work on in order to be rounded, grounded and happy. These 6 key factors - as shown within the mind map - will ensure that you stay centered and focused on what is most important in your life, while making sure that life never gets the better of you. Stick with them, cultivate them and keep them at the forefront of your mind on a daily basis - at home and at work - and happiness will no doubt find you around every corner no matter how grim life may appear to be in the fleeting moment.

1. A Happy Body

Our body is of primary importance in determining our long-term happiness. If we are healthy and feeling good about our body than we will be far more likely to be happy about other aspects of our life as well. Here are some suggestions for maintaining a happy body:

• Smile Often - Smiling naturally stimulates wonderful healing chemicals within our bodies that lead to a great sense of well-being.
• Exercise Regularly - Our bodies are designed to move, flex and to lift objects. If you are living a sedentary existence than your body will respond in very sluggish ways. Do you know what happens to something you don't use? Yes, that's right, you tend to lose it. Exercise your body regularly by swimming or even just walking in nature. Your body will no doubt thank you and be happier for it.
• Healthy Eating - Our bodies also respond accordingly to the foods that we ingest and digest on a daily basis. It is said that you are what you eat. In many instances there is a lot of truth to this statement. Eat healthy living and energy giving foods, and your body will thank you in a positive way by providing you with more energy which will lead to a greater sense of happiness in your life.
• Healthy Sleeping - Many of us simply do not get enough sleep. This leads to a weakening of our sensory acuity, muscles and concentration levels. On top of this our weakened state can lead to health concerns and deep feelings of tiredness and unhappiness throughout our day.Go to sleep only when you are tired and wake up at the same time every day. This will no doubt lead to much more satisfaction and happiness in your life.
• Healthy Living - This is all about living a healthy life by incorporating everything discussed above into a daily routine that looks after your body from head to toe.

2. A Happy MindsetA happy frame of mind is just as important as cultivating a happy body. There are really no excuses here, as the mind is pretty much the only thing that we have full control over at every moment of our lives. Here are some suggestions on how to maintain a happy mindset:

• Detachment from Circumstances - You are a human being living within your own experience. What you attach yourself emotionally to will affect your happiness in many unforeseeable ways. When you learn to detach yourself from people and circumstances you begin to take control of your life. Begin today by detaching and noticing how that makes you feel.
• Faith in a Higher Power - Your faith in God or a higher power will usually get you through the toughest of times. Look up to this higher power to develop faith when evidence exists to the contrary. This faith will keep you in a state of happiness.
• Positive Mental Attitude - You will achieve happiness by cultivating a positive mental attitude. This begins by paying attention to your daily thoughts and observing them carefully throughout your day. By doing this, you will begin to notice little thought habits you have and how they are making you feel in the present moment. Pick up on these shifts in your emotions immediately and change your thoughts by focusing on solutions and answers to problems and challenges that you face. These solutions and answers will keep you focused on what is good, and happiness will be the result.
• Changing Perspective - This leads on from cultivating a Positive Mental Attitude. When confronted with challenges in your life, get into the habit of consciously changing your perspective about the person or situation. See the situation in a different light. Ask someone for their differing opinion and perspective. By being flexible you will move towards the path of happiness.
• Belief in Self & Abilities - We have all seen instances where human beings have performed remarkable acts through the power of just their beliefs. Become one of these people. Believe in yourself and your own abilities wholeheartedly. When you set out to do something, believe that you can do it no matter what obstacles stand in your way. Belief in yourself and your own abilities will no doubt attract much happiness and joy into your life.
• Expect to be Happy - It is said that, what you expect with passion will come to fruition. Expect to be happy, expect that good things will come to you, and expect that life will bring you much joy and happiness.
• Gratitude for Life - You can never be truly happy unless you cultivate a sense of gratitude. Gratitude breeds life into a sad soul, and it creates abundance for those who have very little. Gratitude does not come to those who HAVE MUCH, but rather to those who are thankful for the little that is good and great in their own lives. Be grateful for the little things that you take for granted on a daily basis and your life will be filled with great happiness and joy.

3. Happy Interactions

 Interacting, communicating, caring for and loving others is our natural way of being. It is as natural as breathing, and yet so many of us remove ourselves from others on a daily basis, and this in turn attracts great sadness and unhappiness into our lives. Bring back a little interactivity into your life and you will experience a sense of happiness and joy like never before. Didn't someone once say, that the happiness you create for others is likely to bring you more joy than anything you can do for yourself? Whether or not someone said this or not, here are some suggestions on how to maintain happy interactions:

• Forgive People - Holding onto grudges, hate and distrust will smother you with disgust and sadness. Instead, choose to leave your past in the past and move forward with your life by forgiving those who may have hurt you. Forgive and release... forgive and release... forgive and release... this will no doubt bring a sense of empowerment and happiness to a bitter existence.
• Connect with People - Take time each day to connect and reconnect with others in different and creative ways. Ask others about something that brings them passion, go out and do something that you two have never done before, bring back the laughter into their life by watching a funny movie or going along to the comedy club; or simply tell them how much you love them. These simple acts will not only bring you great joy and happiness, but they will also make the other person feel very special indeed.
• Associate with Happy People - It was mentioned earlier that you are what you eat. In this instance you are also very much who you associate with on a daily basis. If you are hanging around and interacting with negative people than you will be affected by their energy whether you realize it or not. Choose instead to be around happy people, around those who make you laugh and talk about positive things. This will no doubt lead to a greater sense of happiness and well-being.
• Volunteer Time & Energy to Charity - Giving of yourself to others is no doubt the greatest gift in the world. For those who haven't seen the 2006 movie The Ultimate Gift, I strongly suggest you see this remarkable movie to truly grasp an understanding of the effect that giving to others can have on your life. Give of your time and energy to others and not just your money. Money is so impersonal. By showing others that you care, will attract much happiness into your life.
• Random Acts of Kindness - Doesn't it just make you feel wonderful to know that you have helped someone in need? How much more wonderful would it feel if you took some time today to assist someone you knew needed some help in an indirect covert manner. Go ahead and help them indirectly without telling them that you were the mastermind behind this ingenious act of kindness. Getting credit for your acts of kindness is way overrated. Knowing that you did something that other's don't know about, is true happiness.
• Be Happy for Other's Success - There is one moment in time, and a place, that success will find you if you keep your eyes peeled to the opportunities that lie just within your reach. If your time hasn't come yet, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be happy for another's successes and accomplishments. Enjoy and revel in another person's achievements. This sense of happiness you instill in them, will in turn create a reflective mirror that will encourage a greater sense of joy and fulfillment in your own life.

4. A Happy Self

 This is all about the most important person in the world, YOU. Being selfish at times and focusing on what you want most in your life is a very good way of thinking that will lead to much happiness and joy in your life. Here are some suggestions on how to maintain a happy-self:

• Pamper Yourself - Take timeout each day to spend a little time with yourself. Yes, go out there and treat yourself to something special, to something sinister and a little naughty. You deserve it. Take time to pamper yourself and your days will be filled with many wonderful experiences you will treasure.
• Utilize Humor - You don't have to be the next Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres or Jerry Seinfeld; although if you were one of these three stand-up comedians, hanging out with you would no doubt be a great deal of fun. In all seriousness, just don't be serious. Learn to find humor in all situations, and most importantly learn to laugh at yourself when you do something really silly that you hope no one saw!
• Find Inspiration - All of us have different things that tend to inspire and motivate us on a daily basis. Identify these inspirations and cultivate them throughout your day. Whether it is a piece of music you love, a movie that just gets your juices flowing, or a book you just can't get enough of. Take time to immerse yourself within these experiences, and you will create more joy and happiness in your life.
• Accept Circumstances - This comes down to accepting circumstances whether they are good or bad. It has been said that it is not what happens to us that determines how we feel, but rather how we perceive what happens to us. How you perceive what happens to you will determine your level of happiness. So don't listen to the negative talkers who tell you how unlucky you were, or how unfortunate your circumstances are. Forget about them. Instead, accept the way things are, focus on solutions and move forward with a positive outlook.
• Your Choice to be Happy - Do you even realize that it is your choice alone that determines whether or not you experience happiness at every moment? Well it's true. It is your choice. "Therefore, if it is my choice, what do I choose right now?" -I would choose happiness.
• Awareness of Thoughts - Again it is important to mention here, that you must become intricately aware of your thoughts. Notice how a single thought can either make you crumble into a state of despair, or bring you to the point of ecstasy. Yes, it is indeed your thoughts that control your emotions. Take charge of your thoughts and your emotions will be on top of the world.

5. Happy Actions

 What you do with what you have on a daily basis will no doubt effect your levels of happiness. In fact, everything that has been discussed so far up to this point effects the actions you will take in profound ways. If you are not happy and living in a state of deep sadness, what kind of actions do you think are likely to result from these types of emotions? I wouldn't say they would be very effective. However, having said that, your actions alone can indeed add great happiness, depth and joy to your life. Here are some suggestions on how to maintain and cultivate happy actions:

• Experiment with Living - This doesn't mean taking drugs or picking up the habit of smoking and all those other things that will make you very unhappy long-term. Instead this means simply adding some variety and creativity into your life. Take time to do something you haven't done before. In fact, what is one thing that you wish you could do but haven't yet tried? Okay, now go ahead and make a decision to get up right now, tonight or tomorrow, and just do it. Just go crazy, have fun, live a life full of excitement and be unpredictable. Happiness will surely follow a person who lives in such a manner.
• Plan Your Life - It's okay to be spontaneous and to live on the edge at times, however, it is also important to think about your long-term future and ongoing happiness. Therefore spend time each week planning your career and family life in ways that will add more happiness and joy to your daily routines. Plan also to learn new things that will move you forward in your career or potentially open up new doors of opportunity. Plan also to set goals, and then actually sit down and set them, and over time make the necessary steps to accomplish them within the time frames you set. It is no accident that we have reached such breathtaking technological advancements because we as a human race have been setting many goals over many, many generations. You are part of this human race, are you not? Than set some goals today and go move into action already! The accomplishment of a passionate goal coming to fruition will bring you much joy and happiness.
• Simplify Your Life - So many of us go through life over complicating matters. We do something the long way around. We take the long and difficult path and struggle with too much clutter, too many responsibilities and too many headaches. Take time today to simplify your life and happiness will surely follow.
• Celebrate Your Achievements - First you have to achieve, this requires setting goals and acting on them. But then again, have a think about the little things, the little achievements you experience on a weekly basis. Reward yourself occasionally by celebrating these little things. Afterwards be sure to raise the bar to even higher standards of achievement and celebrate your success once you have reached these targets. Celebrating is fun, and will bring great joy and happiness into your life. However, be warned, not to overdo it. Your celebrations should be rewards for your accomplishments, and not your Friday and Saturday night routine. Start simple and small, then progress onwards to bigger goals and greater rewards.
• Slow Down - S___L___O___W D___O___W___N. That's it. Be consciously aware of slowing down and not being so caught up in the frantic aftermath of your daily existence. Happiness follows those who slow down, reflect, ponder and think. Your decision making may also dramatically improve.
• Partake in Your Passions - First, do what you love and keep on doing it at every opportunity you get. Secondly, ask yourself if you can somehow make a living from doing what you love. Happiness comes to those who live with a passion. Are you living out your passions or wishing for better days?

6. Avoid Unhappiness

 Cultivate everything that has been discussed thus far on a daily basis and you will be living a life full of joy and happiness. On the other hand, be aware of a couple of things that may get you down and lead to emotions that you would like to leave in the trashcan.

• Avoid Negative People - You will ALWAYS tend to reflect the emotions of the people you associate with most often. If you don't believe this statement, than take a good long hard look at a group of people who know each other well, and you find that they all tend to experience similar types of emotional levels throughout their daily lives. You are a reflection of other people's emotional peaks and valleys. Take charge of your life by avoiding those people who bring you down into the doldrums of emotional hardship.
• Avoid Negative News - This is a difficult one, especially if you are hanging around with a group of NEGATIVE PEOPLE who always talk about their problems and put the most negative twists on anything they hear on television or radio. This does not mean that you should be ignorant, all it means is that you moderate your intake of negative news. Simply don't dwell on it. If you can't do something about this news in your immediate moment, than simply direct your attention elsewhere. Be and stay in control and happiness will always find you.

As you can see, happiness is very easy to obtain if you know how to find it. I hope that this reflection has been helpful in assisting you to find more happiness in your life.

Read the full article and download the 32 Keys to Finding Lasting Happiness in Your Life in a FREE desktop wallpaper Mind Map format by visiting http://www.studymatrixart.com/blog/smx-spotlight/keys-to-happiness
Adam Sicinski is a Qualified Life Coach who specializes in the areas of Peak Performance, Accelerated Learning, Cognitive Psychology, NLP and Mind Mapping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Sicinski

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The Pursuit of Happiness is Meaningless - Let Me Explain Why

If you are looking for happiness, my advice is GIVE UP right now! Your search is futile, you'll never find it where you're looking because its not there. Resign yourself to the fact that it just isn't out there.

However - don't despair as I've some good news for you.

Stop looking for happiness. Stop right now.

If your looking for happiness you are looking in the wrong place. Why? It's because happiness isn't out there. You already have it - inside of you.

Most people think that things make them happy, and search for it in those things. If they had that car or house, or went on that holiday, or had that wonderful spouse, or money or wealth, or the love of their lives they would be happy. The list goes on. This thinking is incorrect thinking. Things don't make you happy. The most that things can do is to help to make you happy.

Let me give you an example.

Have you ever said to yourself "If I had X, I would be happy." Let's say "X" is a particular house, the house of your dreams. Does having the house of your dreams mean that you would never be un-happy again? No. You'd still have days when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. You'll have both happy and unhappy days whilst living in the house of your dreams.

At most your X, or your dream house, can only help to make you happy e.g. taking pleasure in sitting on that porch (even when unhappy) and watching the sun come up.

So if your dream X does not make you happy what makes you happy?

You make yourself happy, it's as simple as that!

Happiness is a choice. It's a decision. Happiness is internal, it's not external. And you always have it inside you, available 24/7 at a moment's notice.

To be happy you just have to CHOOSE to be happy.

Have you met people who seem to have everything but are not happy? Have you met people who seem to have nothing but always seem to be happy? Yes. How can this be? It's because happiness is a choice.

In choosing to be happy there are two things to bear in mind. These are:

1) Will I choose to be happy NOW?

2) Will I choose to be happy in the FUTURE?

NOW

Happiness is a state. You are in complete control of your state at any given moment (although it may not seem like it).

How do you control your state?

Just remember, that if you remember a time when you were happy you'll start to feel happy, or if you remember a time when you were laughing your head off you'll start to laugh your head off. You can take complete control of how you feel all the time, just by remembering to remember good times.

So all you need to do in order to feel happy now is

1) decide to be happy and

2) remember a time when you were happy and feel your level of happiness increase. The more in detail you remember your happy time and the greater number of happy times you remember the happier you will become.

FUTURE

Your happiness in your future depends on the choices you make now with regard to how you act in accordance (or not) with your values. If you decide to act in accordance with your values you are more likely to be happy. If you act in a way that conflicts with your values you are less likely to be happy.

In order to give yourself that best chances of happiness you need to make happiness a priority and invest in your happiness, don't leave it to chance. Schedule happiness into your diary, and then keep your appointment.

So start to be happy today, by choosing to be happy, and making happiness a priority in your life.

Damian Miles is a life coach and NLP Practitioner and an expert in helping people to live the life of their dreams - for more information on how you can start living your dream life, and start doing so TODAY check out Damian's website at http://www.liveyourdreamlifetoday.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Miles

Happiness - 5 Steps To Happiness Now

People who are sick typically seek better health; and people who aren't sick typically seek wealth rather than health. But everyone wishes to be happy. Sick people are not happy people; they want to feel better - to be well and happy. And, a great many people seek money, or riches, because they are under the impression that money can buy them happiness, or that "rich people" are happy people. But even people who do harm to others somehow think they'll be happier, or better-off, as a result.

But is it wise to seek happiness? This is obviously a play on words; but your subconscious might not think so. The idea of seeking something implies that you don't already have it, or you aren't "there" yet. Happiness isn't really a "thing;" and it isn't a place, either. Happiness is the word we give the feeling of "unimpeded spiritual flow." It is important to think about that; because, if you want to be happy, it is important to know what it is you want. And, these days, it seems as if most people don't know what they want; and they have all kinds of ideas about what might "make them happy."

You cannot acquire happiness; though we often speak as if you can. You cannot "reach," or "get to," happiness as if it were a destination, or location. You can, however, BE happy - in a happy state - experiencing happiness. Happiness is your natural state. You are, essentially, happiness with life-experiences filtering that energy - stepping it down until it is barely enough to move your body around this physical world. You can release those things that impede your natural flow of life-energy, or happiness, and begin experiencing what it is like to live your life with ALL of your energy.

We think and do things that build up our joy; and we think and do things that reduce our joy. The biggest key to happiness is noticing which category your thoughts and actions are falling into and increase the joy-producing activities as you decrease those things that sap your life-energy and leave you feeling "drained." We may also have to learn new things, new thoughts, or new ways of being in the world, if what we want is to feel something new and different. If you aren't a happy person, for instance, you probably aren't used to doing and thinking "happy-people-thoughts-and-things."

The other misconception people have is that they will be happy "one day in the future." You cannot suffer for years and expect happiness to grow out of it. If you practice suffering for years, you will only be good at suffering. Happiness now is the way to Happiness Now. There is no future; there is only now. If you want to be happy, you are going to have to learn to be happy now. The secret is that you are flowing happiness now - right now. You are always flowing happiness; and you are almost always resisting most of it - "slowing" it down until it looks like some other emotion. You need only "turn off" the energy-drains, or stop the energy-leaks in your system, release the things that are using-up your life and giving you nothing in return, and release your resistance to letting you true nature flow freely, in order to feel happy and free. And that's what we all want.

Here are 5-Keys to being happy Now:

1. Get over yourself. Would you rather be "right," or happy? Your egos cause you to be unhappy; the more egos, or the bigger your egos, the greater your suffering will be. Try thinking and speaking without using the words, "I," and "me." If you're unhappy, you'll be surprised at how much of your life you personally identify with and attach yourself (and your happiness) to. Love your self, not your individual egos.
2. Let Go. Let go of the past, and everything in it - including reasons to fear the future. Let go of attachments. If it is good, true, and yours, you cannot possibly lose it. If you lose something by releasing it, you have just revealed its true nature.
3. Simplify your Life. Humans are relatively simple. When life becomes complicated, it is because we are feeding too many egos - ours and those belonging to other people. The things we do and collect in our lives require an energy expenditure on our part in order to "hold on to them." The "stuff" drains our energy and obstructs, or impedes, the flow of energy through us and our environment and life.
4. Serve others. Suffering, including unhappiness, is the result of thinking about yourself - what You lost, what something means to You, what something cost You, what might happen to You... The best way to not think about your self is to serve others. You will find great relief in thinking about what you can do for others, and great joy in service.
5. Know when to quit. Whether a job, a meal, a project, or anything else, continuing past "quitting-time" can get old after a while and cause burn-out. If you want to be happy, you should be doing what you love. When a Joy turns into a Job, that's when it's time to quit.

Losing a job is a non-issue; losing your joy, on the other hand, means losing your true reason for living. When you notice you have lost your happiness, stop whatever it is your doing and find it. It's inside you. It's always inside you. Some people lose a relationship, a possession, a job, a house, etc, and act as if it was the end of the world. They create thoughts of the worst conceivable nature and dwell on them - letting them grow to unrealistic proportions in many cases. Some people, however, do what comes next without all the theatrics. It's up to you to restore the happiness in your life. Now you have some keys to try; what are you waiting for?

*To download your FREE, Illustrated Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Manual, go to: http://www.ExploreExpandEvolve.com (It only takes about 30-seconds to get your Free EFT manual and start erasing fears and limiting beliefs -- and reclaim your happiness!)
Pete Koerner is the author of The Belief Formula: The Secret to Unlocking the Power of Prayer. The Belief Formula is a look at how you can use ancient wisdom and modern scientific awareness to learn how to use your mind to reclaim your health and create the life of your dreams.
For a Free Report on Making The Belief Formula Work for You, visit: http://www.TheBeliefFormula.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Koerner

5-Simple Steps to Happiness Now

Everyone is seeking happiness. This is a truth that supports the food, drug, entertainment, self-help, retail, automotive, and every other industry. People are seeking happiness; and, when they can't find it, they seek to escape their discomfort. Of course, there are those who are seeking happiness through misery; and some who are miserable no matter what they do - but happiness is the ultimate point. And happiness is right here, right now -- not someplace else, or some time in the future.

People who are unhappy and wish to be happy need to find their way from where they are to where they wish to be. Oftentimes, there is a "payoff" to our self-sabotage and self-imposed misery; some part of us always thinks it is benefiting from carrying an extra burden - as if we were collecting "points" we can cash in later for an equivalent reward (payable in happiness). Well, before you take another step, you must realize that "victims" are not happy people. The plan of happiness through martyrdom is a fundamentally flawed concept - as evidenced by the obvious lack of happy martyrs.

Happiness is the result of being in alignment with, or in harmony with, the natural flow and order of your life. Happiness is not simply the absence of intense negative emotions; many people think they are "happy" simply because they aren't sad or angry. Happiness is the energy of positive expectancy, joy, contentment, faith, love, and gratitude. You do not need another person, or external circumstances, to experience these things; but, if you are seeking something you don't already have, you will need a guide, or a map - and maybe some help - getting there. Here are five-steps you can follow as a basic guide for "turning that frown upside down," or turning un-happiness into happiness:

Five-Steps to Happiness:

• Let-go of, release, and forget the victim-identification. If you aren't happy, and you think you have reasons, then you have a victim-consciousness. There is no reason for winter and summer; there is no reason for happy or unhappy. But, there is a recipe for these things; and the recipe for happiness does not include: Victim-hood; Blame; Regret; Remorse; or Self-Pity. "What happened" happened, and you can't change it; but it can change you for better or worse. Being a victim is a choice you make AFTER something happens to you. This isn't to "minimize" whatever happened in the past; it is actually to put it back in the past where it belongs - taking only wisdom and growth, and leaving judgments, limiting beliefs, fears, and emotions.

• Decide that you are Happy. Decide and declare that you are reading this, and doing these things, for one reason and one reason only - to be happy. And you are! This is your decision. The truth is not: Things are as they are and that makes me unhappy; the truth is that Things are as they are and I am choosing how to respond with my thoughts and emotions. Happiness is a choice; make that choice now, or there is no point wasting any more time trying to be happy.

• Find an Incentive to be Happy. Why should you be happy? Why should you try to change, or do things differently? What is in it for you? What good is it for you to be happy? I have some answers to these questions; but you'll need to find your own incentive if you're the one doing what it takes to be happy. But, if you need some help getting started, Happiness is as good an incentive as any. No matter what you do in life, happiness is somehow going to be at the root of your actions - the quest for happiness, at least. Being happy is the whole point of life; but there are other practical benefits, as well. When you are happy, your body isn't in the stress response. The stress response, according to the American Psychological Association (APA) could be responsible for up to 90% of all trips to the doctor's office. Stress is responsible for unwanted weight gain, ED, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and most other medical problems. Besides medical benefits, happy people age slower, live longer, and have better access to their mental faculties (they're smarter...). And, while they're here, they enjoy it more. Keep in mind, happy people are in the same world as un-happy people; they've just decided to look at it in such a way as to be happy.

• Find Something to be Happy About. The song says, "Grey skies are GOING TO clear-up, put on a happy face...;" not, "wait until the weather changes to be happy. If you wish to master your emotions and be happy, then you need a strategy for "rainy days." Anticipating the "sunshine" you know is coming is more than enough to be happy about; unless you are simply clinging too tightly to a painful memory, or a great fear. If this is the case, you may need to look into some of the new Energy Psychology techniques, such as Z-Point, EFT, or TAT, that you can use at home, by yourself, to eliminate fears and obstacles to happiness. Otherwise, you can recall a happy memory, a funny event, something you are excitedly looking forward to in the future, or something you are grateful for, or happy about, now - just look around and imagine everything disappearing if you have forgotten how to be happy for what you have.

• Do Something Different. Do something to shift your attention - and your polarity - from negative to positive. Do whatever it is you love to do; and, if you can't think of anything you love, try: Helping someone; Being Grateful; Saying Affirmations declaring your Happiness; Studying Spirituality, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Emotional Self-Management, Enlightenment, or Energy Psychology techniques, or Read, or do anything that expands your heart or mind. Go for a walk or to a park, lake, river, or beach; but do something with the intention of enjoying it.

Also practice re-framing your complaints from negatives to positives; if you can assume that things are happening to hurt you, you can just as easily assume they aren't. Find something - an animal, a person, a place, a thing, a job, etc. - to appreciate and be happy about; and write it down in a positive way so you can refer back to it as a "homing thought" as often as you need to. Happiness is right here, right now - right where you are. You don't need to go anywhere, or do anything to be happy; you simply need choose to be happy and let it be.

Pete Koerner, author of The Belief Formula
http://www.ExploreExpandEvolve.com
*For more information on the Energy Psychology techniques listed above (Z-Point, EFT, & TAT), visit http://www.ExploreExpandEvolve.com -- the right-side of the page is devoted to Energy Psychology techniques and modalities.
*For a Free Report on Making The Belief Formula Work for You, visit: http://www.TheBeliefFormula.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Koerner

Happiness Secrets

It is a secret. Yet you are reading about it here. But this secret is different than any other secret you may have heard about in your entire lifetime. Why? Why is this the biggest secret, even bigger than the book called, THE SECRET?

This secret is the most illusive and the biggest secret because only you know the answer. And still you haven't found the answer yet, yet I, a complete stranger will reveal the answer to your secret that even you do not know, yet.

What makes you happy? Where does your complete happiness live? Is it expensive? Is it real or fantasy? Is it reachable? Are you able, at any time in your life, even during the hardship times, to make yourself happy? Can you experience real joy? Or are you the person who sits there sullen, complaining about everything and anything in life? What is the true spirit of your personality? What is deep inside your heart, mind and soul? Where is your passion for life? If you had nothing left, what would you want to hold on to? What is the one thing, the one person, the one value that you know in your heart that you will not compromise? What are the answers to all these questions? Where is your happiness and how do you obtain true happiness?

Will you be happy if you march off to a mountain and climb it and get away from every human being on earth? Will you be happy if you go to the middle of the busiest Walt Disney parade and lead the parade through the city streets as Grand Marshal of the parade? Will you be most happy if you join a convent of nuns? Will you be happy if you cook a meal for ten thousand people and serve a banquet and fill the streets of the town with marshmallows and pink balloons? What in the world will make you truly happy? So many of us have such different answers to those questions. It is amazing the variety that we can come up with if we just think about the answers the true answers to the question of what really makes us happy.Some are happy going horse-back riding, while others are happy doing sky-diving or bungee-jumping and still others are happy just listening to the prayers in the Mass that the Pope is saying. What is the true meaning of happiness and what makes us happy and when we are happy will we even know that we have reached our happiness goal?

Personally, I am happy when I am with family and I am happy when I am helping people and helping children. I am happy when I am writing, especially when I am writing something that I know will help others be more creative and imaginative. But these things that make me happy are not the things that make others happy because happiness, true, real sincere happiness is an individual experience and an individual choice. Yes we can choose what makes us happy. Perhaps that's why happiness is such a interesting thing in all of our lives. Some choose good things to make themselves happy and others choose bad things to achieve a temporary happiness that makes them sadder than they have been before they found their fake happiness. So what is real happiness?

ANSWER:

Real happiness is whatever you make it. The question or choice of true, sincere happiness is deep within your mind, eyes, heart, spirit and soul and when these all reach out to the very same thing, then we know what our true sincere happiness is. See all of them must be in connection in order for the real happiness to be the most sincere one that we will know in our lives. When some are separate or have different happinesses, that is when the fake happiness is gained by us, that temporary happiness. For example, a person stands there,sad and sullen, totally unhappy, perhaps fearful and anxious. That person falsely feels that illegal drugs will make him happy. The person's eyes and feelings and mind are not connected, not believing the same truth. The person's eyes and feelings want the illegal drugs. Yet, the person's mind knows and sees and believes that the drug is illegal and also knows that there possibly might be grave negative consequences if they take those drugs. If they didn't believe it was negative then they would not hide the drug use but do it out in the open, but most drug users and abusers (before they are completely hooked) do their drugs in secrecy; they hide the drugs and they hide themselves from their friends and family while they are doing the illegal act. So, they are not fully connected to themselves, and when they are not truly connected to themselves they can make only negative decisions which always give them false, temporary happiness. So, only negative happiness, fake happiness or temporary happiness comes when a person's mind, spirit, eyes, soul and brain are separate, making separate decisions.

YOU, only you, know what makes you happy. And when you think you have found your true sincere happiness, you need to ask yourself is your entire mind, body, eyes, spirit and soul connected and agreeing with your happiness choice? If they are all connected then you truly have found your real happiness in your life.

Happiness is what you want to make it and happiness, true sincere happiness will bring you closer towards your goals. When you are truly connected to every bit of yourself, you will make decisions that are connected to the real you and you will begin to experience real happiness. That is your answer. Only you know what makes you happy. So where do you being? How do you start this quest? Do you prance out on your horse, like Don Quixote, fighting imaginary enemies that are windmills? Do you waste any time like that at all? No one knows. Only you know. However, I will offer some ideas, some suggestions, some thoughts that might bring you closer to your goal of finding real, true, and sincere happiness.

Here are some things,events, hobbies and causes you can get,join and follow up on to see if any of these bring you closer to your real happiness. Try some of these (if they sound interesting to you).

• Go skiing at Banff
• Find your way to Pennsylvania and go horseback riding through the woods with a guide.
• Visit the Kutztown Pennsylvania Dutch Festival
• Work in a soup kitchen or better yet, volunteer for one.
• Take a city bus ride to the end of the line to a part of town that you have never been to before.
• Sing in the shower.
• Start a club. Go to Yahoo or some other online internet provider and begin a club. Make it your goal to have 100 members.
• Cut coupons out of the newspaper and donate them to the library for their coupon box.
• Celebrate your birthday four months after the real date of your birthday.
• Shave all of your hair off.
• If you can afford it, buy a brand new car.
• Buy a Happy Meal and save the toy for someone young.
• Bake a surprise cake for someone.
• Take a whole week and do not listen to any national or federal news anywhere.
• Diet only on weekends or during the week and treat yourself the rest of those days.
• Attend a local festival or parade.
• Color Easter Eggs in November.
• Go jogging, walking or hiking.
• Invite someone to lunch or breakfast.
• Try and make someone else happy, and in turn, you might share some of that happiness.
• Visit a foreign country.
• Sit in a whirlpool for 10 minutes and then go back for 10 more and 10 more minutes.
• Join a twelve-step program. There is one for weight, alcohol, narcotics, obsessions and many, many more. Choose an appropriate one for you.
• Dye your hair a funny color
• Make yourself a second birthday. That's right. Choose your own birthday. Choose month and year and celebrate your birthday twice a year, first on your real birthday and then again on the day and date that you choose.
• Register to vote and be sure to vote when the time comes around.
• Buy your Christmas presents in January.
• Go around and pick up your stray neighborhood cats and bring them to good homes or donate them to the shelters.
• If that doesn't make you happy, round them up and bring them to Save Our Strays.
• Learn a new language.
• Buy a towel or t-shirt that has a message on it. Spread your message all over town.
• Go swimming.
• Travel to a state that you have never been to before.
• See a movie at the theatre.
• Rent a movie and stay home and eat popcorn (even if it is not on your diet).

Do whatever makes you happy. Choose things from this list until you find what really makes you happy. When you are done with the list, start over again and add your own choices as you know yourself best. Be happy. As the song says, Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Here are some links:
http://www.banff.com
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en
http://www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/events/
You can be happy if you truly want to be happy. So, today, if you are not happy, you have to know this is your own fault. Whenever I am not happy it is because I am making myself unhappy. I hope that I and you remember that we have it in ourselves to make ourselves extremely happy. Start right now.
The author of this article has had many works published in the USA. She has traveled extensively throughout the East Coast and through the South while observing people and writing about life and everything that is in it. She invites you to connect with her at her website. Contact her through ezine, or reach her through towriteus@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Lin

What Is Life Happiness?

We all want to be happy. But what is happiness? Is it the same for everyone? How do we know if we're happy? And can anyone be happy all of the time? How can we find happiness? These questions come to mind when we speak of life happiness.

Our perception of life happiness is as individual as the way we perceive hot or cold. It's sort of the same for all of us, yet it's different too. No two people are exactly alike, so neither can our description of what makes a life happy be the same.

Webster's Dictionary says happiness is: A state of well-being and contentment

An online dictionary says happiness is:

1. Characterized by good luck; fortunate

2. Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy

So, if we use these definitions, in order for us to say we are happy we would be fortunate, showing pleasure and feeling content. That makes sense. Most of the people that we think are happy usually show these characteristics, so lets use this definition and go from there.

Can I have life happiness if I don't think I'm fortunate? Hmmm, that's an interesting question isn't it? Most people are happy when they feel fortunate or blessed by good luck, and most people who feel unfortunate or feel like they have lots of bad luck are unhappy. BUT, perception is everything.

A person can break their leg in a skiing accident (bad luck) and still be happy and smiling because they feel blessed and fortunate (probably because they didn't break both legs!). They might be happy because they know that their leg will heal, and because they were having such fun skiing (up until they ran into the tree at 100 miles/hour!!)! Get the picture?

Or a person could have what most of us would call good fortune and still seem not to have life happiness. There is an art to happiness, and some of us know it and some of us don't, but we all can learn.

Is life happiness the same for everyone? Probably not, even though the normal signs of happiness listed above in the dictionary definitions probably show up in every person who is happy. Different things make different people happy, so happiness and the pursuit of happiness cannot be the same.

For example: I am a quiet type of person who loves to work from home and socializes only once or twice a week. You may be a very gregarious person who works in an office full of people and lunches with a different person each day and goes to a party every Saturday evening.

We're both happy, but our lifestyles are very different. Besides that, what you view as something that would produce happiness may not be a priority for me. Maybe it makes you happy to go on wonderful ski vacations twice a year. It might make me happy to go on wonderful vacations in my back yard and to squirrel my money away. Both situations are right, and we are both happy.

How do you know if you're happy? The best way to tell if you are happy is to ask yourself how you are feeling. Really feeling. Do you feel at ease, relaxed and OK with how things are going on a pretty consistent basis? Then you're probably happy. Feel your body. Is your body relaxed, does it feel calm? You're probably happy.
Remember, happiness doesn't come from anywhere but inside. If you are in tune with what is right for you, you will be happy. If you are trying to live someone else's definition of authentic happiness, you probably won't be.

Can anyone have authentic happiness all the time? Yes! Well, OK, if a terrible tragedy strikes, you probably won't be happy at that time. But, you can work through the tragedy and the accompanying emotions knowing that life happiness can and will return when you've taken time to properly allow healing. Otherwise, yes. You can be happy all the time. Maybe not jumping up and down and laughing happy every moment, but peaceful content happy, certainly, and that's equally valuable. Life's small irritants come and go each and every day.

We have a choice whether we greet them with a calm smile or with an angry frown. Either is fine, but the calm smile will help you navigate life in a more happy state of being, and help you find happiness on a consistent basis. Remember, the art of happiness has a lot to do with perception.

Recent research shows what many of us have long suspected. Happiness, and the pursuit pg oy has more to do with an individual's perception and what's going on inside that person, than money, fame, or power. Even though those things may bring a feeling that is like happiness, it is attached to those things. Real happiness is much more attached to how a person perceives life. Luckily, if you are the type of person who has a "glass half empty" outlook on life, you can learn to have a "glass half full" attitude which will gain you happiness.

Winsome's special topics include Personal Development, Setting goals, Life Happiness and self growth [http://www.4lifeselfhelp.com]
For free e-books, tools and information about Life Happiness go to:
[http://www.4lifeselfhelp.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winsome_Coutts

The Key To True Happiness

It is a sad and true fact that the vast majority of people are not really happy.

The reason for this all of the unhappiness is because to many people are looking for reasons outside of themselves to be happy. You know what I mean, I am sure that you have probably said this yourself, "I will be happy when..." What is that when? When you find the perfect mate? When your children have children that live the life you always wanted or maybe it is when you get that promotion and the raise that goes with it. Ok, you get those things - but then what happens once the initial excitement wears off?

At first you are happy that you have that perfect mate.

At first you are happy that you got the promotion and the raise.

At first you are happy when your children show the drive to achieve what you want for them.

The list can go on forever of all the things that make us happy at first.

Maybe you don't exactly say that you will be happy when you get something. You could term it like this, "I will do this, when that happens." I have to ask you, what are you waiting for? You are giving up control of your life and making your happiness contingent upon something that you really have no control over.

I know a guy named Mike that used to think way. He always said that he would travel the world once he found his perfect mate. He said that for many years and then one day it dawned on him, that he didn't need to have the perfect mate to travel the world. In fact he didn't need a mate at all. He now travels the world, it is a rare weekend that you find him sitting at home, he is truly happy and he is single.

The moment you realize that your happiness is not based on what it going on, on the outside your life will change. Sure you are happy in the beginning with whatever it is that you got, but that happiness only last so long.

Think about the list above, at first you were happy with that ideal mate. Your attitude though has not changed and now the happy relationship is routine and you are waiting for the next big thing to make you happy.

You did get the promotion and the raise and you knew that meant you would get the ideal house that you and your spouse wanted. You move in and it is happy and exciting for awhile but all to soon, the routine nature of life kicks in and again you are waiting for the next big thing to make you happy.

You need to stop right now and look at all the time you are wasting in your life being happy for "things in life." You will never truly be happy when you make that happiness dependent on external factors.
So What is the Secret the to True Happiness

You would think with all the books that have been written about how to be happy, there would be more happy people in the world. Ok, reading isn't for everyone but there are books on tape to listen - people still are not happy. The biggest surprise is that most of the people that read those books or listen to those tapes still aren't happy.

This is enough to make you think that truly being happy must be a really tough task to accomplish.
You know that isn't necessarily true. You have seen happy people, they are always smiling, when they talk it sounds like they are smiling and when they walk they have a certain pep in their step. You want what they have - you begin to look at their life and what they have.

Did you find their secret to happiness?

After taking a closer look have you finally begun to see that it isn't anything they own? It is really something simple and easy to do.

Happiness, true happiness is actually pretty quick to attain and there really isn't a long drawn out procedure to follow.

Nope, you missed it. Well here is the secret:

Happiness comes from the inside, it is an internal factor, not an external one.

True happiness comes from the inside out. True happiness is found when you realize that there isn't anything in the world that can make you happy except for yourself. You are the master of your own destiny, your happiness is yours and yours alone. The way you choose to react to what life offers you is what dictates your happiness.

Wake up every morning and say out loud, "Today I am happy." Do you know something, you will be happy. If you go to work and a stressful event happens remind yourself that. "Today I am happy." It doesn't make the stress go away, it just changes the way you react to that stress.

Happy people react differently to stress. They simply go with the flow, they do not let the stress consume them. You can be that person, a truly happy person.

First you have to make that determination each and every morning.

If need be, on a piece of paper write the phrase, "Today I am happy,' and tape it all over your home and your office space.

Repeat it to yourself every chance you get through the day. Repeat it more often when stress arises. Say it until you believe it.

Go a step further, smile. It is hard to be negative and anger with a smile on your face. Smile and embrace the world, when you are a truly happy person the world is your play thing.

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Sinclair

Can Happiness Be Rated?

The May 7, 2007 issue of Newsweek carried an article by Rana Foroohar on "The Joy of Economics". The writer quotes from an in-depth survey report on Happiness, the product of research by scientists at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Ten countries each from Denmark to Mexico, Tanzania to Russia and Egypt to India were rated respectively as "The Happiest Nations", "The Least-Happy Nations" and "Countries with the Biggest Disparity between Happy and Unhappy Citizens".

The Happiest Nation, according to the Survey, was Denmark with 8.2 rating in the 0-to10 Scale. Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, Finland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg and Mexico did not do badly. They rated between 8.1 and 7.6.

The Least Happy Nations were Tanzania (3.2), Zimbabwe, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Bulgaria, Pakistan and Russia (4.4). Surprisingly, Pakistan, with political turmoil and instability ever since its conception, did not rate very badly. At 4.3, they were just 0.1 less happy than the Russians.

Now, the last category: "The Countries With the Biggest Disparity Between Happy and Unhappy Citizens"...... Egypt topped the list, and India along with Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey were at the bottom of the list.

In the above said special report prepared by Rana Foroohar for the magazine, there are some interesting points which deserve some contemplation:

Wealth alone isn't necessarily what makes us happy. After a certain income cap, we simply don't get any happier.Rather than telling people to work harder, politicians can discuss work-life balance.

The happiest countries cited in the report, i.e. the Scandinavian Countries, also rank high on their suicide rate. Surprisingly, countries rating low on the Happiness Scale, report fewer suicide cases. So, the question is: Can Happiness be Measured and Scaled? Can it be rated?

What is Happiness?

Can we define the word and standardize such definition for all humanity?

Prince Siddhartha leaves his palace to find happiness in the solitude of forest. His search for happiness finally leads him to meditation, to the meditative way of life. Not so with Prophet Muhammad, he found happiness in serving the society as a Statesman and a Man of God. Jesus finds happiness in the separation of Caesar's worldly kingdom from The Heavenly Kingdom of God. Krishna is trying to create such a kingdom in this very world. What is Happiness?

A monk is happy to live on charity. A clergy works for his living; he may even own business, indeed businesses. The Newsweek report shyly admits that "Wealth alone isn't necessarily what makes us happy" - the facts on the ground prove that "Wealth has No Connection Whatsoever with Happiness". The Buddhist, the Hindus, and the Christian monks, as well as the Muslim Sufi Fakirs find happiness in giving up of wealth. They may not number much, but when you think of their influence on the society - you will be surprised!

People have different standards, different paradigms, different conditionings and ways of thinking. And, they define "Happiness" according to their different mindsets. So, it is simply not possible to rate happiness.

Apparently, Newsweek did realize this.

They invited the visitors to their website to vote for either happiness could be rated or not. One could also tick the box for "I don't know". Majority agreed that happiness Could not be rated!

Indeed, Happiness Cannot be Rated.

And, that explains why "after a certain income cap, we simply don't get any happier". In his May 2, 2007 On-Line Report, BBC News Home Editor Mark Easton presents very interesting facts:

"Britain is less happy than in the 1950s - despite the fact that we are three times richer. The proportion of people saying they are 'very happy' has fallen from 52% in 1957 to just 36% today. The story of wealth failing to translate into extra happiness is the story of the Western world.

"In almost every developed country, happiness levels have remained largely static over the past 50 years - despite huge increases in income.

What the happiness research suggests is that once average incomes reach about £10,000 a year, extra money does not make a country any happier.

In our opinion poll we asked whether the government's prime objective should be the 'greatest happiness' or the 'greatest wealth'.

A remarkable 81% wanted happiness as the goal. Only 13% wanted greatest wealth.

Should schoolchildren be taught how to be happy?......(asked) whether they thought schools should put more emphasis on teaching students how to achieve a happy personal life and less on educating them for the world of work. A majority - 52% agreed that more emphasis should be placed on happiness - 43% disagreed."

Less friendly?

The poll asked whether people felt their neighbourhood was more or less friendly now than it was 10 years ago. 43% said less friendly, compared to 22% of people who said it was friendlier.

So what makes us happy? Almost half of people - 48% - say that relationships are the biggest factor in making them happy. Second is health on 24%. When we asked people to choose the two most important sources of happiness in their lives, out of 1001 people only 77 people said work fulfilment
According to the science of happiness, friends are crucial to our well-being. Yet according to our opinion poll, most of us speak to only a small number of close friends every week. Six out of 10 people spoke to five friends or fewer each week. Two out of 10 spoke to only one or two friends. And one person in 25 talked to no friends at all.

Contentment

We also asked people to say, in their own words, what happiness meant to them. According to analysis by Ilona Boniwell, a psychologist at Oxford Brooke's University, most people's definition involved family and friends.

But the results threw up a surprise. The second largest group of responses centered around contentment and inner peace.

It does appear that many people's happiness is about escaping the stress and pace of modern life.
So, most of the people related Happiness with Relation, Contentment and Inner Peace. We can safely conclude that Happiness is not material well being. It is the Emotional and Mental Well Being. Moreover, when we talk of "Inner Peace" and not just "Peace" - we are already on the periphery of Spirituality.

I remember a meeting at the office of one of country's high officials, attended by a handful of "the chosen ones". People considered as the cream of society. For whatever reason, yours truly was included in the list. We were invited to do some brain-storming and find solutions for various problems faced by the nation. I am talking about Indonesia.

Most of the dignitaries present somehow connected all the problems with material well being. One of them went so far to say that, "Once the stomachs are filled, all our problems are solved. We can get our people to do anything for the state."

What a view, what an opinion!

And no-one objected to it, with the exception of yours truly. Then, after I presented my thoughts and offered some solutions - a dignified old lady, teacher by profession, came forward to second me. Just two of us could really see that "Happiness was not Material". That was a couple of years back - back in 2005.

Interestingly, most of the dignitaries present had a record of attending one of nation's leading motivators who speaks on "non material well being" of individual. In fact, quite a few of them were part of the motivators organization and training program. What a tragedy!

The motivator himself, although speaking on non-material, rather spiritual well being, apparently cannot identify true joy and happiness related to the spirit. He cannot differentiate them from the sensory pleasure and bodily comfort. Mind you, he is not alone. With him stand some of our finest brains. What a tragedy!

Matter or money specifically, is compared to a pair of shoes by my Guru: "You cannot wear them if they are very loose or very tight. They should be fitting, just the right size". Just enough is right. The latest survey report cited by BBC News Editor endorses this view.

Coming back to the most important factors related with Happiness - Relation, Contentment and Inner Peace - each of the Trio respectively represents one layer of our Consciousness.

Relation is related with the Emotional Layer. Contentment is the result of sane reasoning. It is the blossoming of our Faculty of Discrimination, and that is part of the Layer of Intelligence. Here, I separate Intelligence from Intellectuality. A man of letters, a scholar with a mile long list of degrees after his name, is perhaps intellectual. But, he may not have an inkling of what intelligence is.

Intelligence is a matter of soul. It goes beyond bookish knowledge. It is the inherent Knowingness. It is the inborn, inherent knowledge of an infant, by which it finds the nipple of its mother.

Knowledge alone cannot make you content. It is the Knowingness that knowledge is not all and that it cannot make you content - that makes one content. This Knowingness is verily Intelligence.

Knowledge and Intellect tend to work with facts. They need proofs. Knowingness or Intelligence works with truth - The Truth. It does not need any proof. It is a proof unto itself. It is the Instincts in Animals, and the Intuition in Humans.

Third important factor in securing Happiness is Inner Peace. And, this is an "all soul affair". This is the periphery of our Spiritual Layer. One more step, and you enter the realm of Pure Spirituality, where Happiness turns into Bliss. In the language of our ancient seers - it is The Aananda. This Aananda is actually what all of us are striving for, knowingly or unknowingly, wittingly or unwittingly.

Indeed in our relation with the world and in our sense of contentment and inner peace - it is actually the Pure Bliss or Aananda that we are looking for. Our Search can only end when we attain to that supreme state of Total and Perfect Well Being - where even imperfections are so perfectly imperfect that you cannot differentiate them from The Perfection.

This state of Supreme Bliss or Aananda cannot be described in words. It can be realized in the spirit. And, such realization alone can make us truly happy!

When a man or a woman of such realization comes down from his or her spiritual heights, we have a Gandhi, a Martin Luther King, Jr, a Mother Theresa, and a Sukarno. Even today we have such men and women around us. Alas, my country, my nation, my people do not recognize them. What greater tragedy can befall a country where the children of spirit, where the people with realization are not honored!
We need Newsweek and BBC to open our eyes. We need World Bank and International Monetary Fund to help us out of economic crisis of our own making. We need the Middle East to teach us culture, economics, even dress code. The latest is in the field of agriculture - I hear the Communist China will be sending their farmers to teach our farmers how to cultivate our land.

There are Happy Nations and Least Happy Nations, and there are Countries with the Biggest Disparity between Happy and Unhappy Citizens..... I went through all the three lists, and tried to find my country, my nation. It was not mentioned in any of the lists. Where are we? Where do we stand? How are we faring?

Happiness cannot be rated, yes.

Happiness is not even the Last Frontier; there is still the State of Supreme Bliss or Aananda - yes. But, how can we ever achieve that state if we have not even tasted happiness?

Far from being a happy nation, my country may not even know the meaning of happiness. We are happy when a clergy intimidates us with hellfire and we shed tears out of fear. We are happy to see a bunch of hooligans hijacking the whole nation in the name of religion.

Wake up my country, my nation!

Wake up my brothers, my sisters, my countrymen and women; wake up to secure your place in the civilization of the day. You have had some very happy moments in the past, but a much happier life awaits you in future. Wake up to that future, that starts now, this very moment. Fill this day with happiness, so your tomorrows can be happy too!

The lessons that West is just learning come from you.

You have inherited those lessons from your ancestors, from your seers and sages, from your men and women of wisdom, from your long history in the past. Whenever you neglected those lessons, whenever you rejected the local wisdom - you lost your dignity. You were chained and enslaved by the foreigners. Allow not that history of shame repeat itself, wake up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anand_Krishna

What Makes Us Happy and Why?

What Makes Us Happy and Why?

Happiness has always been seen as too vague as a concept. In the past 10 -15 years, researchers have been trying to identify the factors that contribute to the happiness. I wrote this article about happiness for these reasons:

1. To learn more what happiness is about?

2. To better understand what the causes of happiness are?

3. To explore what contributes to happiness and a satisfying life?

4. Clarify what is the purpose of happiness?

I will be very happy if I can answer all these questions!

Actually, this article is about positive psychology, a new scientific approach to happiness with many new answers. Positive psychology is a relatively new term in psychology. If you believe that scientists can tell us what happiness is about, you need to read this article.

Dr. Martin Seligman is the positive psychologist of the University of Pennsylvania, who believes: it is possible to lift our biological set range of happiness, at least to some extent, if we work at it. His effort and the effort of his colleagues are to create a science of higher happiness, and a program to help people achieve it.

What is happiness for you?

Do you believe that the only form of happiness is pleasure? If you do, you generally pursue a media creation of happiness. You are watching too many Hollywood's movies!

I know you will just feel good temporarily. Pleasure will come only from what you have done to earn it. Please read what Nietzsche had to say:

I slept and I dreamed that life is pleasure

I woke and I saw that it is duty

I worked and I realized that duty is pleasure

To truly feel happy, we must have a goal, a point of destination we consider worthy of our effort which will satisfy us first, and make our life worthwhile. We need to build our own idea of critical thinking, love, kindness and mindfulness. We need to live our life with enthusiasm, optimism and morality. Only after reaching all these premises will we be a happy person. For reaching the higher forms of happiness - achieving satisfaction and contentment - we require taking paths leading to a meaningful life - a life where, through having goals, we will find fulfillment.

The question is: what makes us happy?

Make your own list of what makes you happy, and then compare it with the list made by scientists.

Happiness researchers have been monitoring people's life satisfaction for decades.

Most of the experts agree with the following conclusions:

1. Wealth and fortune do not contribute to happiness. There is a lot of evidence that being richer isn't making us happier, which is fair! The research suggests that once you have shelter or modest home, basic food and clothes, then extra money does not seem to make people much happier.

Now we have evidence: we can be happy without being rich, therefore no more excuses for being unhappy because you don't have a lot of money. According to many statistics, the standard of living in many countries has increased dramatically! I am not sure that's true for everyone, but let's accept it as a scientific fact!

If you ask Professor Daniel Kahneman of the University of Princeton, his answer is: "Standard of living has increased dramatically and happiness has increased not at all, and in some cases has diminished slightly."

Despite all the massive increase in wealth, our levels of happiness have not increased. We know the reason: it is our intention to adapt to pleasure. For example, buying a new car or purchasing a new home can give us a quick feeling of pleasure and at the same time can quickly wear off. Those kinds of pleasures have limitations and they gradually lose their power.

Pretty dark statement from the scientific point of view, isn't it?

2. Health, family and friends are the most important factors for our happiness. If you are healthy person in relatively a good shape, with good family and personal relationships, consider yourself a happy and a lucky person. Keep your marriage or relationship in good condition; marriage adds an average seven years to the life of a man and something like four for a woman. Happy people have a lot of friends, and they make very close friendships, too.

Just as a reminder: as stress can trigger ill health, friendship and happiness can have a protective effect. Now we know that our brain control many of the mechanisms in our bodies which are responsible for disease. What we learn from positive psychology is: friendship has a much bigger effect on happiness than a typical person's income. This is one more reason to believe that we can be happy despite having to struggle with a difficult financial situation. At this moment scientists cannot prove causation; whether, for example, people are healthy because they are happy, or whether people are happy because they are healthy.

3. Having goals and a meaning life, a belief in something bigger than us - from religion, spirituality or a philosophy of life is crucial for our happiness. Finding meaning in life is like finding gold mine. Dig it and you will find your lost goals and your lost happiness. With meaning and goals in your life, you will be always on the track.

The theory sounds good, but what's the reality? The question is: whether we can actually use our knowledge of what makes us happy to lift our levels of happiness permanently? It's a very hot question for psychologists!

We need to accept the reality: life is not always all about happiness. Unhappiness is a part of life, too. Life is unpredictable with no guarantee for happiness. The mind rises and falls and illness can shift happiness into sadness. If you expect to be happy all the time you are making an unrealistic goal. The best you can do is to make an effort and learn what makes you a happy person. Also, not everything is in our hands. Science also came to the conclusion that one's happiness is genetically determined, and depends also on life circumstances and personality. You don't have to be genetically predisposed to happiness to succeed, but you need to understand and train your mind to shift emotions from sadness to happiness, and how to pay attention to upsetting emotions.

Is there any room for criticism of the movement? Yes, many psychologists are critical!

But whatever is your conclusion about "power of happiness", don't forget one thing here: each blue day has a negative impact on health and life satisfaction in all of us. Cheerfulness has scientifically proven positive effects. We have the capacity to enhance our well-being by finding things that will make our lives more satisfying. It's our obligation to apply "that duty is pleasure ". Happiness seems to have almost magical properties, which isn't easy to prove. But science suggests it leads to long life, health, resilience and good performance.

Did I answer all your questions about happiness? Perhaps not, but what I wanted to say is to explain some very basic knowledge about positive psychology.

If you still worry about happiness, I know you live in a satisfying environment! Do you know why? Researchers know and agree: poor people or societies have no time to think about happiness. They need to fulfill their basic needs for foods and shelters and therefore there is no time for thoughts about happiness. During catastrophic times, people do not talk about happiness, they talk about survival.

When people or societies do not have to worry about poverty or tragedy - they worry about happiness.

Jahiel - Yasha- Kamhi jasakamhi@hotmail.com

Jahiel- Yasha- Kamhi holds a degree in Medical Biochemistry and a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Jahiel is passionate about writing, and conveying positive ideas that help people live life with more passion and purpose. His mission is to promote a good mental and physical health. Jahiel's core message is to inspire and encourage people, to give them hope and help them live their everyday life. Being thankful for what is good in life rather than focusing on the negative is his message. With hope, all things are possible.

He writes regularly for online Newsletter http://www.personal-development.com and magazines. Jahiel delivers customized presentations, inspiring others to find more meaning and balance in their lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jahiel_Kamhi

Happiness Information

What is Happiness?

Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone has experienced happiness at different times in their lives and knows what it feels like to be happy. It is an emotion to be strived for. But what is happiness?
Each person's definition of happiness is different. Each individual has an idea of what they feel they need in order to be happy. However, there are others who have everything they need in life but are still unhappy.

A happy person enjoys life. They are a magnet drawing others in and are pleasant to be around. They have a contagious smile. They most often have something nice to say or a helping hand to offer. A happy person carries a positive psychology, encouraging others around. Their lives are a reflection of goodness.

True happiness comes from within. It is how we feel about ourselves. It is not conditional, based on money, status, or materialistic possessions. Happiness is something we all choose to experience. It is feeling of contentment and joy that titillates the body from within and exudes to the outside.

You don't need to wait for some event to take place in your life to find happiness. Finding true happiness begins with gaining control over your thoughts. Remember, your thoughts ultimately decide your actions. By changing the way you think you can make you happier than you've ever been in your life. Your negative thoughts attract negative emotions and unhappiness. Your positive thoughts attract positive emotions and happiness.

The Comparison Trap Repels Happiness

As humans, we place conditions on our happiness. We carry the thought that when we have achieved _______ we will be happy. Then we finally get what we want but the happiness is short-lived. You compare your life and circumstances with others and in no time you feel unhappy again. This is a trap we are all guilty of. Happiness runs away from this kind of mentality. It is a common trap and one we must stay clear of it.

Happiness is contentment! If you are content with your life each step of the way, you will achieve happiness each day of your life. True you have your ambitions and goals you aspire to. You may want more money, a better job, or a nicer house. But does that mean you have to wait until you have achieved these things in order to be happy? No!

When working to achieve your goals in life, you must be able to enjoy your efforts and hard work each step of the way and find the happiness within. However, if you perpetually compare yourselves with others and what they have achieved you will never be able to find the happiness in whatever you do. Your efforts will always seem futile. You will feel as if you are making little progress. You will become dejected and unhappiness sets in.

If this is your strategy in life, you will very seldom find happiness because as soon as you have achieved one goal, there will be someone else you can find to compare your life with. It will be impossible to find anything meaningful in what you do. You lose patience and become desperate to find that instant gratification. Remember, success is a journey. Nothing happens overnight. So enjoy each step of the way and find happiness in each stride of the journey.

If you are truly in the pursuit of happiness, you have to remove the conditions you place on your happiness. You have to avoid the comparison trap. You must begin to see your life in an optimistic light. You must give yourself credit for your efforts. And if you feel your efforts are not gaining ground, seek some direction. We all need assistance from time to time to get us back on target.

Happiness is a Choice!

True, many of us genetically carry a happy disposition. But even the happiest of persons experience sad days. The good news is that we can choose how happy we want to be.

When you feel unhappy, you automatically assume it is due to a lack of something. You immediately begin to desire material things hoping it will fill that void that you feel. Maybe it's a new car, or a new house, or a new job. You begin to anticipate these things, waiting for your happiness to arrive. When the quick fixes don't arrive the unhappiness still exists.

The root of the problem stems from a distorted self-perception. The perception you carry of yourself can sabotage any chance you have of happiness. The first step in choosing a life of happiness begins by changing your self-concept.

You must believe you can be happy at whatever stage of life's journey you are at. When I suffered my stroke at 37, it was a very trying period of my life that made me feel very fearful and sad. The recuperation from brain surgery left me feeling helpless and unhappy. I didn't know how long my recuperation process would last but I realized I had to do something to bring some joy and happiness back into my life.

I made the decision to work with the impoverished, helping to restore a clinic that was destroyed in an earthquake. My happiness was instantly restored. I felt happy for life and living. I recognized that happiness is a choice and I chose to do something to bring back some joy and happiness to my life. I felt happy for each breath I was able to take. I gave thanks each day for the chance to awake to see my family.

You too can claim your happiness. You too can make that decision to find happiness in your life. No one expects you to be perfect. You are the one that hold yourself to perfection. Find ways to restore peace and joy in your life and observe how much more success you will achieve. Events in your life will flow smoother, relationships will be more meaningful and life will be sweeter.

The sooner you accept that happiness is a choice, and that you can choose to be happy, the sooner you will begin to feel happiness flowing through you. Make that choice today!

How to Choose Happiness

Choosing to be happy is being able to recognize the simple things in life that we can derive happiness from. I am providing this list in hopes that you can look inside your life and recognize the happiness that already exists and how you can bring it out or how to bring more happiness into your life. Here's how you can choose to be happy.

Having good health - Don't take your good health for granted. Be happy for the blessings of good health and be good to your body, don't abuse it. Moderation is the key.

The friends in your life - Cherish the friendships in your life and the happiness they bring. Don't take your friends for granted. Invite them over for a dinner party or barbeque. Let them see how appreciative you are for having them in your life.

Family - Strengthen the family bonds you have. Your family can bring a lot of happiness to your life. If the bonds are broken, work on mending them.

Meditation - This is a technique you can use to remove the unnecessary clutter and negativity from your thoughts that can cloud your ability to recognize happiness in your life. Clear the cobwebs and learn to think clearly again.

Biofeedback- If you have difficulty in choosing your thoughts, this is a technique you can use to bring more positive thinking in your life. Remember controlling your thoughts and removing negativity can bring you instant happiness.

Feed your spiritual void - When we are spiritually full, we are transcended into another realm of thinking. We discover ways of finding more meaning and happiness in our lives more easily. We dwell on positive things and discard ugly habits such as judgmentalism, criticism, cynicism, bitterness, and strife. These things harbor unhappiness within.

Have a sense of direction - We must have projects, work, something to feel productive about in our lives, or a set of goals that we aspire to. This brings happiness into our lives. The feeling of nonproductivity leaves one feeling useless and unhappy.

Find an emotional connection - Having a meaningful relationship with another person can bring a lot of happiness to our lives. We are social creatures that need to be with others and not always alone. Loneliness breeds unhappiness. To love and be loved is happiness in a bottle.

Avoid conflict - One way to remain happy is to maintain good relationships with people. Whether it is with a coworker, a friend, a family member, or the cashier at the grocery store. When you are hostile to others it has a way of coming back to you like a boomerang. Be patient with the people you encounter and be good to your fellowman. This will bring peace and happiness into your life.

Do for others - When you do kind acts for others it bounces back to you in the form of joy and happiness. No matter how small, go out of your way to do something nice for someone. It pays big happiness dividends.

Be thankful each day - When you wake up each morning give thanks for the wonderful things in your life. Send those sentiments of gratitude out to God or to the universe and watch how much happier you feel throughout your day. We have a tendency as humans to dwell on the negative and see the glass as half empty rather than half full. By giving thanks for all the blessings in your life, big or small, you are allowing more room for happiness to reside.

http://www.audreymarlene-lifecoach.com

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