What makes you happy?

What makes you happy?

What makes you happy? For some of us this can be a difficult question. For most of us our answer is something like “I will be happy when I finish school” or “I will be happy when I can buy a house” or “I will be happy when I find a good person to date”. Go ahead and take a moment to fill in the blank for yourself. “I will be happy when…..” Ok now that you have filled in the blank with what will make you happy, go ahead and throw that idea in the trash. The truth is that planning to be happy sometime in the future never works. There will always be some other thing that we simply must have or want in life. It’s a never ending cycle of never having enough. I believe very strongly that being happy is a choice. It’s an active decision that we must make for ourselves wherever we are in life. Below is a small list of components that may help us live in the now and be truly happy.

Savor Everyday- Worry a little bit less about the future and live for the present. You never know if you will be around tomorrow but today is yours for the taking.

Worry less about money- Our society is all about more and better. More money, better car, better house, ect. Be happy for what you have and how much worse things could be.

Have Goals- Know what you want in life. Set some realistic goals but don’t be afraid to reach for the stars on occasion too. Just always have a backup plan.

Take Initiative- Take those goals that you just figured out and make then a reality!

Avoid Comparison- No matter who you are you cant have everything or always be the best. The only one you need to impress is yourself.

Smile- This may seem dumb at first but try giving a friendly smile to people you see. Most of them can’t help but smile back

Make Friends- Do this wherever you go. Talk to someone knew and get to know them, even if it’s just a simple hello. Good friends can help you during difficult times and support you during the good times.

Say Thank You- If someone did something nice to you then thank them for it. It helps create a good atmosphere that everyone feels good in.

Help Others- Knowing that you help others can be an amazing feeling. I DARE you to help someone this week. It doesn’t matter how big or how little. It could even be picking up something that someone dropped.

Exercise- Exercise will improve your looks, self-esteem, and help you live a longer, more productive life.

Good self-esteem- Be confident in who you are! Everyone is unique and has the ability for amazing things. Stop trying to be like someone else and start being the person you truly are.

Forgive others- Let go of the past and move on to the present. Release those old grudges that you have stored up and move on with your life. It’s not worth holding on to things we can’t change so why try.

For more ideas feel free to visit my other blogs: How to deal with stress and How to be happy.

What are some of the things that make you happy?

Here is my quick list…

Watching Star Trek, video games, movies, helping others, my blog, martial arts, bike riding, kayaking, hiking, meeting new people, spending time with friends, eating new foods, new technology, the show heroes, trips to Colorado, having a clean apartment.

Feel free to make your own list and post it as a comment in this blog!

Sources:

Jen Angel. “10 Things Science Says Will Make You Happy.” Yes magazine Winter 2009. 3/20/2009 < http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=3022#8>