A while ago, this text fell into my hands. I put it on my desktop forever. Today, I decided to post it on my blog to share. I tried to research on crediting the author, but unfortunately I did not find the source. Should anyone know about the author, please write me so I can mention his or her name. The text is a reminder of how many choices we have in life - essentially two main absolute truths: To be happy or to be miserable. I choose happiness. I like to read this text from time to time to remind me of the essential. I hope you enjoy it too... I am including a photo I took yesterday when visiting the Cedars of Lebanon in the Barouk, as I find this forest very humbling and therapeutic.
22 Things Happy People
Do Differently
There
are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those
who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come
from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes
from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a
homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life.
Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain
a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The
question is: how do they do that?
It’s
quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do
things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …
1.
Don’t hold grudges.
Happy
people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their
negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot
of detrimental effects on your well being, including increased depression,
anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If
you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough
energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2.
Treat everyone with kindness.
Did
you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you
happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin,
a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but
treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build
stronger relationships.
3.
See problems as challenges.
The
word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is
viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is
viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever
you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4.
Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s
a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have
the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You
will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of
yearning for what you don’t have.
5.
Dream big.
People
who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their
goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself
in a focused and positive state.
6.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy
people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They
understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations.
Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the
more important things in life.
7.
Speak well of others.
Being
nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves
you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people
encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8.
Never make excuses.
Benjamin
Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for
anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own
failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they
proactively try to change for the better.
9.
Get absorbed into the present.
Happy
people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the
present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the
moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10.
Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have
you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up
at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases
productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11.
Avoid social comparison.
Everyone
works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re
better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you
think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself.
You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on
theirs.
12.
Choose friends wisely.
Misery
loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic
people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy
you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13.
Never seek approval from others.
Happy
people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts
without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible
to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s
approval but your own.
14.
Take the time to listen.
Talk
less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdom and
outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind
gets, and the more content you feel.
15.
Nurture social relationships.
A
lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it
is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk
to your family, friends, or significant other.
16.
Meditate.
Meditating
silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen
master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere
and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17.
Eat well.
Junk
food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that
kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to
produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be
sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18.
Exercise.
Studies
have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does.
Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of
self-accomplishment.
19.
Live minimally.
Happy
people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra
belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out.
Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans
are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars,
and own fewer items.
20.
Tell the truth.
Lying
stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikable. The
truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds
others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21.
Establish personal control.
Happy
people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others
tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s
own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22.
Accept what cannot be changed.
Once
you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with
yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you
can control and change it for the better.
