Three Inspirations For Happiness

The following three inspirations were adapted from A Daily Dose of Happiness, and they represent three key ways to increase our happiness. I hope you find them of some benefit, as the world needs more happiness, and an increase in world happiness starts with each one of us.


1. FORGIVING FOR HAPPINESS
We like to think we are better than our friends below us in the food chain, such as the octopus and the snail. After all, we have love. We feel happiness. We have empathy. We have a conscience. We can reason.
We can also hold onto grudges.
Grudges are, in fact, prickly little creatures that worm their way into our hearts. Holding onto them is a self-defeating exercise.
Fortunately, forgiveness is also uniquely human. Forgiveness cleanses the spirit. Forgiveness let's us get on with enjoying our lives instead of being preoccupied with someone else's. Forgiveness opens the door to happiness.


2. SUPPORTING FOR HAPPINESS
When things seem to be very bleak, it does not take much to lift someone's spirits. Sometimes all it takes is to let somebody know they are not alone.
That is why it is so important to smile at people, especially if they look down. And if you know what is weighing the person down, let them know they are not alone. Don't go burdening them with all your miseries, but let them know you have been there.
Guess what? You will feel happiness for having helped them, too.


3. ACCEPTING FOR HAPPINESS
There is no such thing as happiness if you are not at peace with yourself. Too many people just don't know how to make peace with themselves.
Peace begins with acceptance. Whether we agree with everything we do (like the environmentalist who sometimes throws out a recyclable container), it is important to accept what we do.
Do we always make the best choices? No. But they are the choices we make.
Do we always treat people with the most respect? No. But it is how we treat people.
Can we improve? Yes, and we should. But that is a project for the future. First we must accept who we are now, rather than condemning ourselves. Then we can move to improve the person we will be tomorrow. Both acceptance today and improvements tomorrow will increase our happiness. .

Some Simple Ways to Have Happy Experiences.

Happiness is a ‘now you feel it, now you don’t’ kind of emotion.  I know this from personal experience and from hearing of the experiences of others.  Sometimes I’m very happy, other times, sad, joyful, contented, frustrated, and sometimes very neutral.

There are many small things that can make me happy as well as give me endless joy.  I’ve listed seven simple methods that I use toward experiencing a happy moment, but first check you have a reference point to the word happy.  Find out what 'happy' really means to you?

1.    Remember or create a ‘happy’ moment.  When you live the experience of being ‘happy’ your mind, body and soul will remember!  Feel the happiness in all parts of you, expand this feeling if need be. Practise this daily.

2.    Access the Present moment.  Notice what happens to you when you’re totally focused on a comedy programme on television, when you listen to light hearted music or when you dance - even if it’s on your own.  I sometimes groove to a tune by the computer when no-one’s looking – it makes me feel good, cool, gives me a break from what I’m doing and I laugh at myself! (I'm sure you would too if you saw me!)

3.    Invite friends over for some play time.  Organise paper, crayons, paint, and coloured pencils, have a few drinks and play party games whatever you can think of and do some drawings or paintings.  You could also ask each person to bring along a plate of food. Good friends doing fun things together is great fun!

 4.    Spend time with nature. Go for a walk down to the beach or park; observe wildlife in your area or visit a plant nursery.  Notice your mood when amongst the spirit of nature, see how it lifts you.

5.    Take something with you that gives you great pleasure. It could be a book, journal for writing or your MP3 player and sit and ‘Be’ under the canopies of trees for a few hours, or on the beach

6.    Learn something totally new. That can be anything, such as another language; pottery or painting, photography or start your meditation, personal or spiritual development program.  You’re only ever limited by your own imagination.  

7.    Join a club or group that you have an interest in.  You can then expand your friendship base with other like-minded souls, share ideas and experiences. Good friends are a real boost when it comes to happiness levels..


With any of the above activities assess what and how you’re feeling as well as where you feel the emotion and how much are you laughing, grinning, or smiling?  Remember them totally by living the experience, in the moment, and you will then be able to recall that memory when you want to.

Include in your memories your experiences, and feelings of colours, smells, sounds and tastes – all the better for remembering your happy time with!.

Quiet time spent alone can open the door to the possibility of connection to that most amazing and magical part of you that is your true self, the spirit within, that which we all seek to find..

From my experience the key to a happy life begins with remembering who you are, know what gives you enjoyment, being present, and know that regardless of your circumstances no–one can take away your thoughts or dreams, they are yours to keep for as long as you wish.