Happiness, as a state of mind, is the aggregate of life experiences at a particular point of time in your life. In simple terms, what that means is that a number of factors contribute to your feelings of happiness. For instance, heredity and circumstances contribute to approximately 60% of your happiness. These are factors over which you have little control. However, the other 40% of your happiness is controlled by your own decisions and actions. Fortunately, this much is enough to keep your cup brimming with happiness.
There are ways in which you can increase your happiness. These are simple exercises that may be practiced regularly until they become life habits.
Practice gratitude: This is one of the best ways to achieve a constant state of happiness. Each one us has a number of things to be grateful for. The air that you breathe, your body, your home, your hair – there’s alwayssomethingto be grateful for. Find it. It will make you happy.
Think kind thoughts: Often, our internal talk is all about negativities. There is stuff going on in our minds that is more toxic than arsenic. Stop defeating self talk. Instead, think of someone who is less fortunate and send up a prayer. Think of some adversities in your own life and of how you managed to overcome them. Think back on your day and find at least three good things that happened that day. Think ‘smiley’ thoughts!
Random acts of kindness: Human beings have an innate desire to act kindly. However, most of us have lost touch with these feelings of kindness even though the number of people who could benefit from these acts of kindness has more than quadrupled. If you were to practice three acts of kindness everyday for a month, your cup will overflow.
Smile: How many times do you smile in a day? You may think that you’re doing it all the time, but most of us go through the day with grumpy faces, wrinkled brows and a grimace. Lift the corners of your mouth and smile consciously. A smile has the ability to lift your spirits and make you feel good.
Bolster yourself: Many times, we are overly critical of ourselves. This is not really our fault. The world has taught us that if we want to excel, we need to put ourselves through the grind. There’s no easy path to success, remember? But, such thoughts rob us of our ability to appreciate ourselves. Take a piece of pen and paper and write down three events that portrayed the best of you. Pin this up where you can see it and read it every day.
Happiness does not come automatically. Nor does it come from chance encounters with luck, beauty or fame. You cannot be happy simply because you’re a millionaire, just as you won’t be sad just because you cannot afford three square meals a day. Happiness is not transient. It is an attitude, and luckily, it can be developed with a little effort. Start with the happiness exercises above. You’ll soon find more ways to seek out happiness.
