“Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”

~Unknown Source

What is happiness? Does it really exist? Can happiness last forever? How does one become happy? How many people do you know that are authentically happy?

People who have realized true happiness in their lives have certain habituated ways of being which can easily be observed and learned from.

1. Living in a Feeling of Gratitude

When we focus on actually feeling true gratitude, it opens us up to a new perspective. Instead of slipping into negative thinking about what we don’t have, it helps us stay positive and allows us to recognize the blessings and gifts in our lives. Another good reason to be grateful and focus on the blessings is that all it takes is 3 negative thoughts in a row before we trigger a fight-or-flight chemical response.

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.”

~ Johannes A. Gaertner



2. Being of Service to Others

True happiness comes from making others happy. It just feels good to make others feel good. Like the golden rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If we can be true servants and help give people what they desire, it opens up the door to receiving. We get what we give. The universe keeps track of all this stuff so that we don’t have to.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

~Mahatma Gandhi

3. Loving Unconditionally

The physical world is all part of the same sea of vibrational energy. All is one, and therefore to love unconditionally is to see beyond the conditions of separation. This also goes back to the law of reciprocity or the golden rule. If we’re sending out loving energy it’s going to come back to us. Everything is just a reflection after all. Happy people understand this, and keep on loving everything and everyone no matter what.

“Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you.”

~Dr. Wayne Dyer

4. Detachment from the Approval of Others

Living life seeking popularity and favor will only lead to suffering. Happy people know to follow their own hearts without worrying what other people might think of them. You can’t please everyone, and trying to do so makes us doubt our abilities and compromises our self-confidence, likeability, and authenticity.

“Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.”

~Lao Tzu

5. Having Positive Expectations

If we don’t have high expectations we can’t be disappointed, and negative expectations can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s all about having positive expectations without being so set on the details of how you think it should or shouldn’t be. Simply trust that the universe in all its infinite wisdom will provide for you exactly what you need. Releasing and being in the moment is also essential to being happy, and when our minds are set on some fixed expectation then we lose flexibility to handle our current reality. Another form of negative expectations ties into the law of reciprocity or golden rule. Give freely without expecting to receive anything in return, otherwise, it’s not a true gift.

“An attitude of positive expectation is the mark of the superior personality.”

― Brian Tracy

6. Letting Go of Control

Sometimes things are simply out of our control. These are the best times to simply observe, let go, and allow things to be as they are without trying to change them. Resistance to things we can’t change will only cause us suffering. Surrendering to the flow of life, and giving up our ego based desires leads to real lasting happiness. Let go, and let God!

“What you resist persists.”

~Carl Jung

7. Exercise and Diet

Eating healthfully provides our bodies with the proper amino acids and nutrients to be happy, and exercise releases endorphins which give us a happy feeling. 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, and L -DOPA is a precursor to dopamine both of which play an important role in experiencing a feeling of well-being through brain chemistry. Don’t take our word for it. Do your own research and consult a health care professional before making any major life changes.

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

~Buddha

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