Ten Habits of Happy People

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

Denis Waitley

We all have, I am sure, that one person in our lives who even amidst the most awful of life's trials is always happy. It not that they don't feel, it that they don't let it weigh them down.

I had a police detective friend like that who had seen the worst side of life, but I still remember her looking at me and saying with a smile on her face, "I am ready to go now Shelley."

She was ready to leave this earth, leave her two young boys, leave the husband who only at the end faced up to the fact she was dying. She left us admiring her courage, her acceptance and the remembrance of the smile which was never far away.

Her secret? She appreciated life, was grateful for each day, eager to learn and interested in everything she came across.

A case in point, toward the end she had a colostomy bag, and on my arrival at hospital, she hauled herself up and excitedly shared with me the fascination she had in this bag! Her strength gave me the strength to smile and, learn more than I ever wanted to know about the insides of a colostomy bag!

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.

Gerard Way

1. Appreciate Life

Don't take anything for granted, and focus on the beauty of every living thing around you. Never forget to count your blessings.

2. Seek Positive People

Connect with positive people who share your values and ethics. Choosing the optimistic thoughts will make you feel better and builds your resilience to life's challenges.
Optimistic people are more resourceful, creative and more resilient.

3. Don't Stop Learning

Be up to date on the latest news, do work that stimulates you, and try new things that spark your interest and energise you.

4. Be Considerate

Touch others who cross your path with a kind and generous spirit, help if you are able and smile at those you come into contact with. Let it go or let it be.

5. Spirituality

Having a sense of a bigger or higher purpose is a great source of happiness and strength.

6. Positive about Health

Happiness is about how you view your health, and the acceptance and gratitude for what it is today. So someone who is chronically ill can be happier than someone in perfect health.

7. Be Persistent and Proactive.

Focus on what you want, plan to succeed and take action. Accept what cannot be changed and your limitations as a person.

8. Keep your Sense of Humour

You can find humour in a lot of situations, and it's important to laugh. Don't be so serious, and don't sweat the small stuff - you know what, it's all small stuff in the grander scheme.

9. Forgive and Let go of Negativity

Forgive yourself and others for your own serenity. If make a mistakes, apologise and move on. If negative thoughts creep in, change them for the positive one and make an effort to see the upside of a situation.

10. Invest in Relationships

Ensure your loved ones know you love them, nurture your relationships, be supportive, spend time with your friends, and always be honest.

Some people are born with a happy disposition, others have to learn to be optimistic.

Take heart though, as leading brain researcher Richard Davidson, PhD, says,

" Based on what we know about the plasticity of the brain, we can think of happiness as a skill no different from learning to play a musical instrument - it is possible to train our minds to be happy."

Practice Mindfulness.

It is all about learning how to focus on the present and remove clutter from the brain enabling clarity to enter, by using breathing skills practiced in yoga or meditation.

Perhaps we can simplify happiness in life by saying it is about:

• Feeling - Look for opportunities for enjoyable activities and positive emotions, and count the small joys.
• Doing - Live your life in tune with your true values
• Creating - Contribute to the less fortunate in the world or leave a legacy whatever that may mean to you.

Happy people know they are responsible for their own lives, their moods, attitude, thoughts, words, feelings and actions are all under their control.

As all your happy memories were each created in a moment, you only have this present moment to be happy,

Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don’t even remember leaving open.

Rose Lane