What is it that people desire the most in life?  Most of us would probably say something like, a worthwhile and fulfilling career, financial security, great health, or vibrant relationships.  All valid answers of course, as they meet all the basic needs in our lives.  However if we were to dig just a little deeper we would discover that underlying all of this, our ultimate desire is to be happy.  First and foremost we all want to feel good and at ease with ourselves, with others and the world.

In order to find this happiness, I for one can reveal that for many years, I was looking in entirely the wrong place.  When I had money in the bank I felt great. When my relationships were working, I felt like shouting from the roof tops. During those times I was able to get to the gym, go on long runs and keep my weight in check, I felt good about myself. Then of course the inevitable would happen. Something would not be quite right, knocking me off centre.  This would then affect every other aspect of my life and how I perceived it. I would then be looking for the next event which would change things and make me happy again.

Let us be honest. We all do it. We evaluate the events in our lives, and from that data decide if we are going to be happy. Yet one thing we all have in common, is that events which we may label good and bad happen to us all. None of us have a completely smooth ride. Also our feelings about an issue may change, as what we may have treasured yesterday may be stale and no longer serving us today.

I have discovered that happiness is in fact a decision. As a spiritual being, I now realise that happiness (or joy) is not dependent upon circumstances, but wells up from within, and can be developed. It is part of our birthright and we just need to learn how to access it.

Other articles I have written will help to develop this. Check out how keeping a gratitude journal can attract more joy and wellbeing into your life. Also read about how you can live in the present moment, which is an antidote against the guilt and negativity of living in the past as well as fear derived from anticipating an alarming future.

Try this powerful exercise:

• Think of an event that brought you real happiness, satisfaction or sense of achievement. For example, it could be your wedding day, gaining your university degree, taking part in a marathon or a memorable holiday.
• Close your eyes and visualise the event. Use all your senses for this. See everything as clearly as you can, notice the people involved, notice them smiling and looking encouragingly at you. See it in colour. What are the sounds, especially the positive feedback from those around you? Can you hear birdsong?  What did your clothes you were wearing feel like? Where there any smells and tastes involved/
• Bring your emotions into play. Recall how you felt about the experience. Allow yourself to really feel it.
• Magnify your visualisation. See the scene even more vividly, allow the colours to be brighter and the sounds to be clearer. Above all increase the emotional response by feeling the pleasure, the excitement and the joy to the maximum.

By engaging in this activity everyday you will be conditioning your subconscious to focus on positive feelings. This then will encourage the Law of Attraction to work in your favour. It will become easier and easier to access the joy within and to be happy on purpose.

A person who is has learned the secret of inner happiness, recognising that it need not be circumstances which determines how they feel, has a real head start in attracting the other important needs I mentioned at the top of this article such as health, wealth and relationships.

May the discovery of the true source of happiness, help you in your quest to attract more abundance.