Happiness is an Inside Job....

07/01/2011 10:58

What makes you happy? Maybe the new cell phone that you just got makes your life a little bit easier....Maybe the new car that you bought looks and drives really good....or maybe those new jeans make you look great...but do they make you happy? I think we have all caught ourselves out shopping looking for that item that we believe will bring more happiness into our life.

Happiness is something that can not be bought or sold in any store. And you can have all the money in the world and still be miserable.

Many people also believe that we will find happiness when we met the "one", the love of our life. The truth is that you can be in a relationship with someone and still not be happy.

If you base your happiness on external circumstances you will continuously fail to find happiness. While success, financial abundance and health relationships can feel good, true happiness is something that needs to be found within.

Instead of directing the search for happiness outwardly, it should be focused inwardly. This can break the viscious cycle of trying to "find" happiness outside of ourselves time and time again.

Here are a few easy tips that can help you become more happy.

1-Start living in the present. Not yesterday or tomorrow. When we focus on the past or the future it takes us out of our "now" experience and can prevent us from experiencing any happiness that we could be experience in the present time.

2-Be Grateful. By expressing gratitude for what we have in our lives, it creates positive thinking. By being grateful it reminds us of the happiness that is already in our lives. Things to be grateful for are your health, good family, a good job, wonderful children....

3-Helping others. Nothing feels quite as good to help another person. When we help someone else, it makes us feel good. It boosts our self esteem and builds a healthy ego!

4-Do things for you. Take time to do things you enjoy. Take time doing activities that make you better. Taking a class, meditating, excercising or doing a favorite hobby are all wonderful.

5-Clear your past baggage. Learning to let go of the past can allow you to live a happier life. By letting go of memories or emotions that no longer serve you, you clear layers that might be preventing you from living a happier life.