The Secret to Happiness – Not so elusive

Life would be so much simpler if the secret to happiness could be summarized in one sentence, but unfortunately, no such sentence exists. In fact, there are many different things that many different people would call the secret to happiness. However, the truth is that the so-called secret or secrets are not really secrets, and you have probably already heard them over and over again. The only thing that you have probably not done is to apply the things that you have heard.

The first step to happiness is to recognize that you can in fact cause yourself to be happy, in much the same way as you are able to cause your own unhappiness.

Although people often believe that attaining something that they want will give them happiness, this is not the source of happiness. In fact, happiness is a state of mind, where you are contented with where you are and the things that are going on around you. You can have everything that you need and want and still be unhappy, or you can also have very little and still experience joy in your life. Happiness comes from the ability to consciously appreciate and enjoy what you already have.

Feelings are overrated. Many people think that happiness comes from feelings of elation, when in fact, it is the other way around; feelings of elation come from happiness.

Once you have learnt to appreciate what you have, the feelings will follow accordingly. However, some would argue that if you are content and satisfied with what you have, you will lose motivation to achieve more. The truth is that happiness increases your energy as opposed to draining it. A simple example would be to ask a happy person and a depressed person to join you in any kind of activity. The happy person would be eager to get involved, while a depressed person would try as much as possible to keep away from activity.

Good relationships are a favorable ingredient of happiness. Human beings have an innate need to feel loved and to belong, and when this need is fulfilled by having healthy relationships with others, we are more susceptible to happiness. However, relationships need to be worked at, and it is important to create time to spend with your loved ones if you are going to enjoy your relationships with others. Spending time with your spouse and children will probably require that you sacrifice some other activities, but it is a good investment.

Positive thinking, as cliché as it sounds, leads to happiness.

Now positive thinking requires practice, and is not simple for a lot of people. However, if you are serious about it and really commit yourself to building up positive thoughts and positive energy, you are well on your way to being happy. If you do it consistently, you can make positive thinking a habit, and happiness a lifestyle. The secret to happiness is to put your energies toward attaining happiness; this way, being happy will not be so elusive.