What Does it Mean to Be Happy?

What is happiness? What will it take to make you happy? People all over the world look for what it takes to make them happy in their lives, but it seems like a great many people never quite "find it."

Its my opinion that this is part of the problem. Happiness isn't something that's found. Happiness isn't something that finds you either. If it is something that can be found then where it can be found might surprise you.

It's in your mind. that's right, it can be found within the depths of your own mind. It's a choice that you make everyday. When you look around at your life, you make a decision about it. You decide to be happy with it or you don't.

You can choose to look around at all the small annoyances that you that you face and decide that you because of those, you're not going to be happy. A little secret about those little annoyances is that they're always going to be there. No matter what you do for a living , or where you live, or how much money you have, if you choose to focus your energy on these things, you'll likely never find lasting happiness.

However on the flip side if you come to the understanding that there are always going to be those little annoyances, you'll have taken a huge first step toward becoming a happy person. The good thing about this is that you'll find that once you start focusing on the things in your life that make you happy, those small annoyances will become much less influential on your mind and therefore your happiness. You'll find yourself paying more attention to the things that make you happy as opposed to the things that don't, and that will make a big difference in your life.

Justin Bott is a successful entrepreneur operating an internet marketing business. He is well versed in this field and has a keen desire to become more successful and to help others become successful as well. As someone who's searched his entire life for success, he's studied many different programs and philosophies and brought them together to create a sustainable home-based business. Go to [http://www.profitlancecompanion.com] to find out how he got started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Bott

How To Be Happy When You Are Sick

When you feel physically ill with nausea, cancer, a cold, or any other disease that makes your body feel bad, then it can be a severe challenge to be happy. The main reason this happens is because we register happiness with how we "feel" and when we feel bad in our body, then it feels as if we can't be happy.

The physical body is one of the greatest hold downs on a person's happiness and transcending the body can be one of the greatest difficulties, but it's possible.

The first thing you should do is recognize that you probably don't like how you are feeling right now. This can be true for you even if you don't have a physical illness as well. When we don't like something, we put forth a mental energy to resist what we don't like. Mental resistance is very subtle and the best way to see it is to reflect inward and notice that you don't like what is happening and recognize that you want it to go away.

Resistance is actually a negative energy that holds your bad feelings in place. The more you resist something, the more you get back of that same thing you are resisting. The universe says "like attracts like" and if you are spending your mental energy focused on resisting or rejecting what you don't like, then you will attract more of what you don't like.

Resistance also robs you of your energy and can leave you feeling powerless. When you are spending all your energy resisting what you don't like, then you don't have much left over to carry out the day or even be positive. You can't sit down and stand up at the same time can you? The same is true for resistance or negativity - you can't be positive and negative at the same time can you? Think about it for a minute.

Now that you see your negativity in the form of resistance, you also see that it isn't helping you, and that you want to be happy - here is the best way to get rid of your resistance and return to feeling happy;

LOVE.

That was simple wasn't it? Don't worry, it is common for most people to not understand how to use love to overcome resistance, illness, negativity and return to being happy.

Here is how I do it; when I feel physically ill, I don't resist how I feel. Instead, I simply say "I love you" to that ill feeling. I repeat it over and over and over again. The first thing that might occur to you is that if you don't resist, then your condition might get worse - that is not true. Let go of your bad feelings as best you can as just say I love you. You don't have to say it out loud if you don't want, but just say I love you to whatever it is you don't like.

Saying "I love you" allows you to subconsciously let go of resisting your bad condition and begin the healing. The more you say I love you, that faster you will heal and the faster you heal, the faster you will actually start feel better. When you start to feel better, your happiness will return. Some people have instant results and for others it takes practice. If you aren't used to using love as a tool like this, then be gentle with yourself and experiment. Be open to miracles and just use this simple technique and watch what happens. 

At first it may seem like nothing is happening or it may feel awkward. This is normal. You see, you have been resisting what you don't like your whole life and that is what you know and what you are comfortable with. Give yourself time to learn something new. You wouldn't expect yourself to read a book on how to play tennis and then expect to play your first game as a pro would you? The same is true for letting go of resistance and saying "I love you" to what you don't like. It may take some time before you feel that power of these words and feel the results.

How much time are you asking? That depends on your dedication and focus to it. You must reach a point where you are saying "I love you" more than you are resisting. The scales must tip in the favor of love before you see results. Meaning, you must be saying "I love you" more than you are hating what you don't like.

Be open and have a little faith in this technique. And if you think about it, what have you got to lose?? Your resistance obviously is making you unhappy or you wouldn't be reading this.

Dedicate yourself to love even if it's for only a short month for experimental purposes. Say "I love you" to everything you don't like, every thought your think, every person you meet. Read articles on love and invest your time in love. You will be amazed at what you discover.

What if you don't find happiness?

What if you live your entire life unfulfilled when it could have been different and you didn't even know it?

If you really want to change your life for the better and create a life that will make your heart sing, then you need to read about it for free here: How To Find Happiness

Finding your very own unique form of happiness is so important to you living a life of bliss and joy. If you can't discover your own answers and happiness, then what is life worth living for?

There are methods and techniques that can literally change the way you feel in seconds and create the life of your dreams in a short period of time.

Don't give up hope and let people or life get you down and depressed! If it's your motivation for life you have lost, then learn different ways of getting motivated by clicking the link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danna_F_Rossi

How to Relax and Be Happy During Hard Times

Knowing how to relax and be happy, no matter what is happening around you, is a real gift. There have been real life accounts of people who were rich and healthy, who seemed to lead an ideal life, and yet, they were unhappy or sad. On the other hand, there have also been accounts of people whose lives were hard, even painful, and yet, they were happy. How can this be?

The reason for these paradoxes is that happiness and sadness are not determined by circumstances, but by our state of mind. That may be one of the greatest gifts of life and each of us may partake of it merely by learning how to focus on things that bring peace, relaxation, happiness. Whatever we focus on will determine our mental, emotional, and even physical state. Of course, there are some limitations, but I have rarely found a person who couldn't be happier or more relaxed.

I learned the value of focusing my mind many years ago when I had to overcome a very big challenge. I had a young family to support and managed to land a job in a shipyard repairing submarines. It was a good job with health benefits and security that I needed for my wife and son. 

However, I was assigned to the torpedo room and was told that I would be working inside tanks and even inside the long torpedo tubes. I had suffered from pretty severe claustrophobia all my life and had omitted to mention that when I got hired because I was afraid I wouldn't get the job if I brought it up.

For those of you who may never have been on a submarine, particularly a small, fast attack submarine, let me describe it for you. Every square inch of space in a submarine is precious and almost every part has equipment and pipes in the way. Humans are the last piece of equipment to be added and therefore, we have to work around all those pipes, wires, machines, pumps and gear.

Worse yet, a torpedo tube is a long metal pipe, like a big gun barrel, with a door on each end. At one end is the torpedo room and at the other end, the ocean. It is cold, dark, and so small you have to crawl in and out. There isn't enough room to turn around in a torpedo tube so if you crawl in headfirst, you are looking at the dark end.

The first day I went into the torpedo room, my boss asked if I was afraid of tight places. I tried to hide my fear and said, "No." He then told me to crawl inside the torpedo tube with an inside micrometer (a measuring device) to measure at certain intervals the entire length of the tube.

I was afraid that I would panic once in the tube, but managed to crawl inside with my drop light and micrometer, pen and paper. Then, a thought occurred to me. Maybe if I kept focused on measuring and writing, I wouldn't notice the tight spot or think about a panic attack.

I crawled to the far end of the tube, about 30 feet away, all the while thinking about the job and how to do it. Before I knew it, I was at the far end of the tube. I put the light down and started measuring and writing the measurements on the paper. When I say I focused, I mean I really focused, consequently, I did a great job. Unfortunately for me, I did such a good job that I wound up working in those torpedo tubes day after day, measuring and grinding them back into shape.

I crawled all over those submarines during the next two years, in tighter spots than the torpedo tubes, too. My method was always the same, just focus on what you want to do and do it. The fact that I was also studying meditation and learning how to focus was a great help to me, as well.

It was a valuable life lesson about how your surroundings have less to do with your feelings than your attitude and desire. My desire was to provide for my family and myself, even if it meant doing something difficult and fear producing, my attitude was that I could do it if I focused on the job.

It may be the same for you. Focus on what you want in life. I am not talking about material things, but rather, the feelings you want. What thought makes you feel happy? You will only be as happy or sad as you feel and thoughts lead to feelings. While chemical changes in the body and brain do affect our feelings, our thoughts affect the chemicals in our bodies. 

Every thought that you have is an electro-chemical event in your body and produces polypeptides and hormones that affect how you feel, even your physical health. While clinical depression is a medical condition that does require medical care, for many of us, our thoughts and learning to use them for our own happiness, is all it takes to feel good even when times are bad.

Wil Langford, R. Hy. offers his guided meditations for relaxation and exploring the self, at [http://9best.info/guided_meditation.html]

His guided meditations for relaxation and happiness have helped many people to find happiness and change their lives for the better.

He is an expert on human consciousness and the author of Parts Consciousness Therapy. http://yourlovedonesyourself.com as explained in his book, "Your Loved Ones, Your Self; Finding and Raising the Family Within."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wil_Langford

How to Relax and Be Happy During Hard Times

Knowing how to relax and be happy, no matter what is happening around you, is a real gift. There have been real life accounts of people who were rich and healthy, who seemed to lead an ideal life, and yet, they were unhappy or sad. On the other hand, there have also been accounts of people whose lives were hard, even painful, and yet, they were happy. How can this be?

The reason for these paradoxes is that happiness and sadness are not determined by circumstances, but by our state of mind. That may be one of the greatest gifts of life and each of us may partake of it merely by learning how to focus on things that bring peace, relaxation, happiness. Whatever we focus on will determine our mental, emotional, and even physical state. Of course, there are some limitations, but I have rarely found a person who couldn't be happier or more relaxed.

   

I learned the value of focusing my mind many years ago when I had to overcome a very big challenge. I had a young family to support and managed to land a job in a shipyard repairing submarines. It was a good job with health benefits and security that I needed for my wife and son. However, I was assigned to the torpedo room and was told that I would be working inside tanks and even inside the long torpedo tubes. I had suffered from pretty severe claustrophobia all my life and had omitted to mention that when I got hired because I was afraid I wouldn't get the job if I brought it up.

For those of you who may never have been on a submarine, particularly a small, fast attack submarine, let me describe it for you. Every square inch of space in a submarine is precious and almost every part has equipment and pipes in the way. Humans are the last piece of equipment to be added and therefore, we have to work around all those pipes, wires, machines, pumps and gear. 

Worse yet, a torpedo tube is a long metal pipe, like a big gun barrel, with a door on each end. At one end is the torpedo room and at the other end, the ocean. It is cold, dark, and so small you have to crawl in and out. There isn't enough room to turn around in a torpedo tube so if you crawl in headfirst, you are looking at the dark end.

The first day I went into the torpedo room, my boss asked if I was afraid of tight places. I tried to hide my fear and said, "No." He then told me to crawl inside the torpedo tube with an inside micrometer (a measuring device) to measure at certain intervals the entire length of the tube. 

I was afraid that I would panic once in the tube, but managed to crawl inside with my drop light and micrometer, pen and paper. Then, a thought occurred to me. Maybe if I kept focused on measuring and writing, I wouldn't notice the tight spot or think about a panic attack.

I crawled to the far end of the tube, about 30 feet away, all the while thinking about the job and how to do it. Before I knew it, I was at the far end of the tube. I put the light down and started measuring and writing the measurements on the paper. When I say I focused, I mean I really focused, consequently, I did a great job. Unfortunately for me, I did such a good job that I wound up working in those torpedo tubes day after day, measuring and grinding them back into shape.

I crawled all over those submarines during the next two years, in tighter spots than the torpedo tubes, too. My method was always the same, just focus on what you want to do and do it. The fact that I was also studying meditation and learning how to focus was a great help to me, as well. It was a valuable life lesson about how your surroundings have less to do with your feelings than your attitude and desire. 

My desire was to provide for my family and myself, even if it meant doing something difficult and fear producing, my attitude was that I could do it if I focused on the job.

It may be the same for you. Focus on what you want in life. I am not talking about material things, but rather, the feelings you want. What thought makes you feel happy? You will only be as happy or sad as you feel and thoughts lead to feelings. While chemical changes in the body and brain do affect our feelings, our thoughts affect the chemicals in our bodies.

Every thought that you have is an electro-chemical event in your body and produces polypeptides and hormones that affect how you feel, even your physical health. While clinical depression is a medical condition that does require medical care, for many of us, our thoughts and learning to use them for our own happiness, is all it takes to feel good even when times are bad.

Wil Langford, R. Hy. offers his guided meditations for relaxation and exploring the self, at [http://9best.info/guided_meditation.html]

His guided meditations for relaxation and happiness have helped many people to find happiness and change their lives for the better.

He is an expert on human consciousness and the author of Parts Consciousness Therapy. http://yourlovedonesyourself.com as explained in his book, "Your Loved Ones, Your Self; Finding and Raising the Family Within."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wil_Langford

How to Be Happy All the Time!

Does the title of this article seem too good to be true? Of course it does! How many times have you said to yourself over the past week or even the last 24 hours, "I'd be happy if..." If you had that perfect relationship, lost weight, had more money, a bigger house, the list goes on.

Do you know that you already have everything you need to be happy? Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Of course I don't know your personal life story, the triumphs and tragedies you've been through, but let me tell you a golden truth, "Life is what you make it." Don't put your happiness off for the perfect moment when everything is just so. You can be happy right here and now if you so choose-yes, no matter how terrible life seems to be at the moment!

I want to share a secret with you. This is something many successful people already know about and I'm passing it on to you. If you just decide to be happy then everything you need to create a better life will come to you. That's how strong our energy is! Our mind energy, physical energy, emotional and spiritual energy, all of it reaches out to those around us and helps create our current environment. Yep, you created what you now have!

That sounds pretty scary or maybe downright ridiculous, doesn't it? Who wants to believe they're unhappy, overweight, broke, and unfulfilled because of the choices they've made? While it's true that some things are out of our hands, such as being laid off, death, or natural disasters, we can control our thoughts, actions, and reactions to everything. For instance, the person who gets laid off could sit around and become depressed and angry, or they can take action, make a plan to find other work, and choose to be happy with the good things they DO have in their life. We all have positive things and people in our lives!

When you're happy, you'll quickly discover that you see the world and everyone in it differently. You'll view things with more optimism and be more thankful for your loved ones and the good things you already have. Instead of worrying about the future or grieving the past, being happy keeps us grounded in the present.

I'm not saying that you should laugh everything off and walk around with a plastic smile on your face. There are times that call for tears or even confrontation.

Being in a state of happiness creates a powerful energy flow within you that spreads outward. If you've been to a motivational seminar have you noticed the energy field of the speaker? It can reach others hundreds of feet away, getting them pumped up and smiling! That's how powerful happiness is!

Sure, we all have problems, but does dwelling on them solve anything? No!

Here's an easy exercise: Clear your mind right now and allow your problems to creep in. Write them down, every single one of them. Now look at the list. What can you change? What can you do about anything on your list? Where can you take action? What do you simply need to let go of? 

Now do it! Inaction often leads to depression and anxiety. Simply doing something about the problems in your life, no matter small your actions are at first, will get positive energy flowing toward you so the Universe can send you what you need to be happy. Do this exercise right now. Let me know what you discover.

Happiness is a state of mind...and a powerful one at that. It can weigh you down with worry, guilt, anger and regret, or it can lift your spirits to the skies.

Are you stuck, curious, worried or confused? Want more tips on developing your intuition, contacting your spirit guides, or living a happier life? Stop by my site today: Psychic Readings By Dr. Kelly for my latest articles, books, and readings!

Everyone needs help sometimes. Whether you're worried about your career or finances, wondering if you'll soon find love or what will happen to your relationship, curious about your future or past lives, I can help.

With over 20 years experiences as a psychic counselor, author, and radio show host, I've assisted tens of thousands of people in finding the answers they need to live happier, healthier, more successful lives.

No matter what your current situation is, it can always be better. Let me help you get to that place in life where you can breathe a sigh of relief and know that things are finally going your way. Or maybe just answer some questions that have been on your mind.

I look forward to reading for you - Light and blessings...

Kelly

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Wallace

You Deserve to Be Happy

Many people do not think that they deserve to be happy because of the bad things that happened in the past, and it must be harder to be happy when you have lost meaning in life. I know how it feels because I have been there before. I lost my direction in life and I did not know where I was going. I didn't know what I want, and I was confused and none of what is going on around me made sense. 

My father died unexpectedly and I couldn't accept it for a long time because he was a good man, a good father and a good husband to my mother and there are many bad people around who doesn't deserve to live. I was depressed for a long time and felt that I don't deserve to be happy because every bit of enjoyment made me guilty because I felt like I was betraying him and his death. I was afraid that if the pain goes away I would lose him forever. When I finally accepted his death and forgave myself for moving on, I realized that he is never really gone because his memory will always be in my heart.

Everyone deserves to be happy because we were born to enjoy God's creation. We were not brought to life so that we will suffer. Bad things happen though even to good people because we are not in control of other people's mind and actions but we have the power to be happy if we know how to use the power of our mind to change our present circumstance. If you lose a loved one, grieve and accept it because it's the reality of life, but deal with it as soon as you can and move one. 

If you have a medical condition and it makes you unhappy, change your awareness and think about all the things that will make you happy so that you will attract positive impulses and improve your health. If you can't think of anything that made you unhappy, forgive yourself and forgive those who hurt you and made you miserable to lighten your burden and you will see that it will work wonders because you will feel good, happy, and heal yourself.

Sometimes it feels like the whole world is picking on you or you get upset when things don't turn out the way you expected them to be. If you feel that way, fight back and do not let it affect you. Shift your awareness and think about all the good things you can be grateful for like your loving family, friends, job, or comfortable life and it will manifest in your reality. Happiness is not about getting what you want; it's about being content with what you already have and being grateful to the things that matters to you most.

Love and pamper yourself to a massage, spa, or sauna and do fun things even if you are alone like going to the gym, watching movies on DVD, going shopping, or going on vacation. Happiness is a state of mind and it starts with being grateful. It is a choice and not a chance. You can choose to be happy with what you have if you believe this is what you truly desire and this is what's best for you. Learn more about Mastering the Law of Attraction by visiting http://www.thesecretoflifebydesign.com.

Janet Grace Ortigas is a freelance writer and online blogger.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Grace_Ortigas

How To Be Happy And Enthusiastic About Your Life

It's important for our happiness that we stay vital and enthusiastic about our life. When we are interested and engaged in all parts of it then our life has a sense of wholeness and integrity and this supports our happiness.

We can get stuck in our lives, lose our enthusiasm and question who we are and our worthiness. But we can learn to shift this 'stuckness' and keep our energy clear and bright. This keeps us positive more of the time and leads to greater health and happiness.

We live in an ocean of energy and we receive and transmit energy within this ocean. When we are feeling vital, happy and enthusiastic, this positive energy ripples out from us and touches others we come into contact with. We never quite know the effect that this has on those around us but we can get some idea if we think about how others affect us.

Remember a time when someone praised you or treated you with generosity of spirit or in a caring and compassionate way. Think back to how this made you feel, and how that feeling rippled out and touched others that you came into contact with.

Now remember a time when you were really hurt by someone else, by their lack of consideration, smallness, selfishness, lack of care or empathy. And remember the energy of the ripples that went out from you after that.

If you are to sustain your happiness then you need to learn to change the negative, life diminishing energies and 'stuck' moods that we sometimes find ourselves in. With practice can learn to do this with fluidity and agility and restore our happiness.

Practice sending out positive and life affirming ripples of energy as you go about your day. Notice whether you are smiling or frowning. Look at others who you pass. If they are smiling, how does this make you feel?

There are many ways you can send out positive ripples. Try starting a conversation with someone on a bus or a supermarket checkout person. Not a complaining or moaning type of conversation. Find something to be grateful about and share this. Or praise or complement someone. And stay open to those positive ripples coming back to you.

Notice how your happiness has a positive impact in the world. All of us would much rather spend our time with happy people than unhappy people. See that your happiness is a gift you give to the world.

Mike W Bell has over 15 years international experience teaching people how to be happy. You will find this expertise here http://www.mutualinspiration.co.uk/behappy/ Learn about his free 8-part Strengthen Your Inner Happiness course here http://www.mutualinspiration.co.uk/behappy/strengthen-your-inner-happiness/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_W_Bell

How to Be Happy Without Being a Hippie

Take a look around... terrorism, bank foreclosures, bankruptcies, broken families, divorces, neglected children, death of loved ones, starvation, wars, job loss, bullies, road ragers, queue jumpers, people judging you harshly and not even wanting to understand your motives, people who put you down, people who look down their nose at you because your house isn't as big as theirs or your job isn't as fancy, being ignored at the service desk while the staff make private calls, being ripped off, being robbed, being wrongly accused,... the list is endless and I'm sure you get the picture.

It is not "easy" being happy. But it isn't entirely impossible, either.

When you are running behind schedule and queuing up to buy lunch and someone in front invites their friends to push in, in front of you, thus delaying your turn to be served even further, you may feel anything ranging from merely peeved to outright angry. Whichever emotion you feel, it is a feeling you chose to have, right? It doesn't matter whether your response was justified or not, you personally chose to be peeved or angry.

Your boss calls you into his office to tell you his is so impressed with your efforts that he has decided to give you a pay-rise. You are so pleased with this news you probably smile and feel anything from simple pleasure to outright joy! Again, regardless of whether your response is justified or not, you personally chose to feel pleased or overjoyed, agreed?

Your baby has just stood up and taken his first steps. You are so pleased by this amazing progress, you feel anything from pride to extreme excitement that your little baby is so clever and quite clearly a genius. And whether or not your response is justified, you personally chose to feel proud or extremely excited.

The point is whatever emotion you feel, you choose to feel it. You pick it out of a list of possibilities and say, yep, I think I'll use this one.

The same applies to being happy. Being happy is a choice you make - whether it is justified or not.

This is an extreme example, but let's say you are stuck in traffic and running late for an important job interview... as you crawl forward at snail pace, you realize there has been an accident up ahead and you are not going to make your interview on time. 

To make matters worse, you then realize you forgot to bring your mobile phone with you so you can't even ring them to let them know! Now you probably feel stressed, justifiably so, and maybe worried, angry... a whole range of emotions, and happy is probably not one of them.

The emotions you are feeling at this point not only make you feel bad, they are also detrimental to your health and well being. Furthermore, being angry, sad, frustrated and stressed is not going to make the accident disappear and speed the traffic up. It is not going to stop the clock to enable you to get to your interview on time either. 

You are going to be late, through no fault of your own, and that's all there is to it. There is NOTHING you can do about it.

So now not only are you going to miss your important job interview and wasting petrol while you crawl along in thick traffic, but you are also damaging your health by feeling stressed, angry, etc. This is not enough for you? You have to make yourself feel bad, too?

How about seeing as there is nothing you can do about it right at that moment, you decide NOT to stress or worry about it because it is not going to help matters or you, and decide instead to relax and maybe even enjoy the slow pace for a while? Turn your radio up and just chill... it's a legitimate option. This isn't going to damage your day more than it already is, but what it will do is improve your health and wellbeing and make you feel better.

Sit in your car and smile. Make up your mind to be happy, focus on happy thoughts, think positively and visualize being offered another interview. Make a mental list of all the wonderful things in life that you have to be happy about... and realize that no matter what is happening in your life right at that moment, things could be worse! Be grateful it wasn't YOU in that accident!

It will take practice... Rome wasn't built in a day. Here are some simple and quick tips to help you keep things in perspective and make it easier to choose to be happy, regardless of what life throws at you:

1. Choose to be happy. If something rotten happens to you, decide you are not going to let it totally ruin your life by making you miserable, so you go ahead and have the last laugh by being happy. This is particularly good advice if other people are making your life miserable. The best way to get back at them is to be happy - nothing annoys them more!

2. Life can be complicated and we can become spoiled and take things for granted. Learn to find the pleasure in the simple things in life.

3. Don't take yourself too seriously. Pretend your friend comes to you and he is in your situation - view yourself form this perspective - would you take him so seriously? We usually treat our friends much better than we treat ourselves. Lighten up! Polish off your sense of humour and use it.

4. Understand and accept that "stuff" will happen to you. Don't think "Oh, that won't happen to me - that happens to other people." To other people, you ARE other people! Of course it can happen to you... but don't dwell on it. Life is all about ups and downs. It goes in cycles. If you are in a "down" cycle at the moment, what have you got to be happy about? Well, when you are down there is only one way out - and that is up! It will happen, smile and get ready for it!

5. Don't "settle". Make the most of your situation and circumstances. You want "better"? Make the effort to get it. Nobody has "everything". Think of the rich guy with the horrible family and no friends and who is dying of cancer - but he lives in a mansion with a pool, servants, several posh cars, spoiled beautiful children who he can afford to send to the best colleges. 

If he's miserable and dying, fat lot of good his money is doing him! And then think of the poor guy whose wife has to work too, to make ends meet. 

They live in a small house, have one run-down old car, their kids go to government schools, they struggle each week to live within their means, BUT their house is full of love, warmth, laughter and happiness. They have supportive family and many friends and they live rich, fulfilled lives.

6. You can't please all the people all the time - and neither should you have to. Ever noticed how, with some people, it doesn't matter what you do, there is no pleasing them? Accept that and let it go. It is not your fault or your problem if someone on the planet is not pleased by you - that's their hang up, let them live with it. You're too busy being happy, right? Ignore their criticism (unless it is truly justified and of a nature that it really would benefit you to take note!)

7. I like this joke: Don't try and keep up with the Joneses; bring them down to your level - it's cheaper. Well, I wouldn't suggest that - I'll just say you live your life and let others live theirs - don't allow other people's judgements to hurt or affect you. Don't let other people set your standards. After all, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want you setting their standards for them and trying to hold them to it, right?

8. Make time to do things in your life that YOU enjoy. Don't let it be just about work and housework and homework. It sounds corny but you really must learn to stop and smell the roses. Just try it... then you'll know how good it feels and you'll know why people keep telling you to do this all the time! It's great!

9. Live within your means. Budget so you can cover the necessities and allow for some little luxuries. Whatever you do, do not build up debt. Pay off and get rid of your credit cards. Evil things! Destroyed many a happy home! Being in debt is a surefire happy-killer!

10. Keep it real. Don't let an overactive imagination bring you down. Are you sure the neighbours are whispering about you behind your back? Do you really care what they think? At the end of the day, does it matter what they think? Sometimes we imagine things to be much worse than they actually are, so we waste precious time brooding and worrying about stuff... which brings me to the next point...

11. Don't waste precious time brooding and worrying about "stuff". I know for some that is easier said than done, but again, how we feel is a choice we make. Choose to be happy anyway - whether that is justified or not. Learn to "let go" and move on. Don't live in the past - there is absolutely no way you can go back and change it, so stop trying to live there, making yourself miserable.

12. Avoid "if only" thinking. "I'd be happy if only..." NO! You be happy right now, mister, (or miss), and leave the if only's out of it! You are short-changing yourself and sabotaging any chance of happiness if you fall victim to the "if only"...

13. Avoid toxic people. Avoid negative people who bring you down, put you down, make you unhappy or stressed, or make you feel inferior in any way. You don't need them in your life! Nobody does. They only hang around and annoy you because you let them! And for those you can't avoid, well, do your best to ignore them, tune out, walk away...

14. Dig a hole and dump your jealousies and envies in it. Don't compare yourself to others - the world is full of people who are better off and worse off than you - you'll go crazy if you plan to compare yourself with all of them just to decide how you feel about yourself! You're okay as you are right now and if where you are right now doesn't make you jump up and down with glee, do something about it - with a smile!

15. Be thankful for what you have... remember the man who felt sorry for himself because he had no shoes, until he met the man who had no feet. You got no fancy shoes? Be grateful you've got feet!

16. Helping others is a surefire way to boost your happiness levels. Whenever we do something for somebody less fortunate than ourselves, we always feel good about it and good about ourselves.

17. Don't be sad because something good is over - smile and be happy because it happened. This is some of that looking at your glass as being half full, as opposed to half empty!

18. Choose to be happy "now" - today, not tomorrow. You can only live in the now, today, and so that is where you need to choose to be happy.. today, right now. You know what they say...

"Today is a Gift... and that's why it's called The Present".

And who doesn't like presents? Give yourself the gift of happiness today. Whatever bad, sad thing in life is holding you down, find something worth smiling about and just do it!

Donna Eliassen is a Virtual Assistant and writer (an ex corporate PA with 25+ years experience) who works out of her home office in Western Australia. She is always surrounded by pets of some kind, a husband and a beautiful and talented daughter. You can find out more about her at [http://a1VikingVirtualServices.com]

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How To Be Happy In Life - Keys To Staying Young And Happy

What is happiness? A lot of people want to be happy but when you ask them about the meaning of the word happiness, the answers always different. In some cases, people cannot even tell what it really means for them. However, we all know that each and one of us wants to have a happy and fulfilled life.

It does not only make life a lot more exciting but it also makes people look vibrant and young. We should also remember that happiness is not always about having material things. How can we achieve it? Here are some keys on how to stay young and happy.

Optimism - A person with a positive outlook on life will always find a way to be happy. Life is all about how you view it and this means that happiness is a choice. You either feel sad and negative about the things that are happening to you or you accept things and looking at the brighter side. One you develop optimism, you will realize that life is not at all bad. Therefore, when challenges come and you have to face them, always think positively.

Future - The future is always exciting if that is how you view it. You need to look forward to it. Having something - an event, a person, a date - to look forward to will make you feel happy. It will energize your mornings and it will make you feel excited about starting the day. 

Starting the day with the right mindset and feelings will always make it end well. From time to time, set up dates with your friends or family. Have a feasible goal that you want to achieve in a certain time frame. This way, you will always have an inspiration to make every day worthwhile.

Instinct - You should always follow your instincts or your gut feelings. It is not because they are always true but because that is the only way you can feel less guilty if things do not work out well. Decision making is always a difficult task. The longer you think about it, the harder and more frustrating it gets. 

Therefore, the next time you have to choose among several options, trust your instinct and follow it right away. If it turns out not fine, do not regret so much. Sometimes, wrong decisions can be right at some point.

Money - Money is not the source of happiness but it can be a way for people to be happy. People who claim that they do not need money to be happy are just plain hypocrites. 

You need money because you need food and shelter. What you do not need is too much money. No matter how much you have in excess, it does not matter. It will all depend on how positively you view things around you and how you react to life's challenges.

Loved Ones - You need others to be happy. What is the point of achieving happiness if you do not have someone to share it with? Treasure your family, your relatives and your friends. You should also treasure new people in your life.

Learn how you can be happier in life with the Power Pause. Be happy and achieve your goals with the Goals on Track.

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Be Happy and Successful - Some Tips to Help You Find Happiness and Success in Life

Yes, you can be happy and successful at the same time. We even often equate being successful to happiness, that the more you are successful in life, the happier you are. The thing about being happy and successful is that how you define success.

Sometimes we measure success by the size of the mansions we have, the number of cars we own or how hefty is our bank account. At times, we also measure our happiness with these things. But what can really make us successful depends on how we define success and happiness. You can have everything you want but sometimes they do not make you happy.

Take note that being happy and successful is a balance of life - from your career, your personal relationships, you finances, good health as well as achieving your goals and dreams. To help you balance your goal to be happy and successful, here are some tips that you may find helpful.

-Manage your time. Good time management matters most in being successful and happy. If you have time to do things, you still can enjoy other things aside from work and enjoy your life outside your workplace. This way, you can still achieve your goals when it comes to your career and enjoy life. Of course, it is hard to be happy if you have been working long hours all week and you end up tired and stressed always.

- Build great relationships. Happy relationships are essential part of living a happy and successful life. Sometimes in our quest to become successful in our careers and chosen fields, we often sacrifice the time we should spend with our families and loved ones. However, if you want to be happy and successful, you must not forget to give time to nurture great relationships.

- Do your share. Happiness and success is not just about yourself. You must also be doing your share to make the world a happy and good one for others. Unhappiness and disagreements often develop because many people do not do their share in making this world a better place. So if you want to be happy, do your share and make others happy too.

- Be healthy. A sound body is an important part of being happy and successful. Of course, it is hard to be happy if you feel pain or you have been worrying about some illnesses. Be in good shape and maintain the right weight. Being overweight and obese has been a problem bugging many people these days, so avoid it as much as possible.

- Mind your manners and be good to others. Be good to the people around you and you will feel happier in life. It is also important in achieving your goals because you can never achieve your goals and dreams by just your own efforts. Somehow, the people around you may have contributed and paved the way for your success in your chosen field.

- Manage your finances. Most people often believe that success and happiness is just about abundance and being financially stable. Yes, it may be a part of being happy or being successful but there is more to that. However, your finances should not also be ignored if you want to be happy and successful. Get yourself out of debt and try to manage your finances like you manage your time.

Start with these tips and you will surely be moving towards the path to attaining happiness and success.

Carolyn Anderson writes reviews on books. If you are looking for a great guide to help you attain success and happiness, check out Strategies For Success and Happiness. Also check out Success Engineering, where you can learn the science of success and make it work for you.

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How Do I Be Happy Alone? - A Guide For Being Content Without Others

Big life changes, such as divorce, death or even something as beautiful as seeing your children mature and leave home can leave you suffering from the loss of companionship and have you asking yourself, how do I be happy alone?

So many empty hours now feel thrust upon you, everything is your sole responsibility and you've become so use to sharing experiences with others that the idea of having that sharing with only yourself feels both daunting and plain lonely.

But, with a bit of effort and perspective you can and will learn to be content all on your own. Read on to learn how.

Understand Your Own Worth! You're a valuable person, and you don't need any one else's approval for that to be true.

Maybe you're divorced or have lost a friend and this has bought insecurities, but think about it - something about you attracted them in the first place.

Besides that though, the reason you're alone right now is because you choose to be. Don't believe me?

If I said I'd give you a million dollars if you could only find somebody to spend time with - anybody - you'd probably be back within the day to collect your money, complete with photographic evidence of you two spending a day at the movies, or the mall, etc.

It's very easy to find somebody to spend time with, but when you have high standards for the people you allow into your life, you're reaffirming your own value. If they're not right, they're not good enough for you and you're better off alone.

Know You Don't NEED A Partner! Often when people start asking themself 'how do I be happy alone?', it stems from an idea that they aren't complete without a partner.

This ties in with what we said above, but is more directed towards your attitude about how you're perceived by others.

Social acceptance of your relationship status may take a hit in some circles if you remain alone, but the benefit is for you and others.

Firstly, you are free to live your own life without the burden or discomfort of a partner who doesn't fulfill you're needs.

Secondly, you're free to meet some one who enriches your life, and who fulfills you mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

An added benefit is you're fortitude and courage can inspire others to go down your path and remove negative stigmas where they exist.

Stay Sociable! This might sound a bit against the point, but hear me out.

When you are alone, you have no commitments. You have nothing holding you back. You are free to do whatever you want. Seize this opportunity now! Get some friends together and go wild. Nurture your family. Find a group or club in whatever interests you. The social world is your oyster. Cherish this golden time.

Make Plans For The Future And Take Immediate Action! Take some time and decide where you want to go in life. It doesn't have to be amazing. It just has to be there.

When you're with others, it's very easy to conform to their wants, needs and comforts, and it's very easy to fall into the trap of feeling the need for approval before doing anything.

Now you're on your own, you choose your own path. The great thing about this is - once you have direction, it's so much easier to get where you want to be. Don't worry if you don't know EXACTLY where your going, at the very least a direction will lead to towards the area in life you want to be, and you can choose from there.

The important thing here is to take IMMEDIATE action. Don't waste a single moment. Don't wait for 'the right moment' because it's here already, and it's leaving. Take it while you can.

Stay Healthy! (Or Get In Shape)

When alone, it's easy to become lazy, to go for the cheap, unhealthy meals, to skip the gym and to sit in front of the TV all night eating junk.

I'm sure we all aware of the many benefits of exercise and a healthy diet, so let's sum it up with - being healthy changes your body, changes your mind, and all around changes your life - for the better!

Healthy is happy.

Learn Everything You've Ever Wanted To! To me, when some one asks 'how do I be happy alone?", I feel the urge to tell them all the amazing things they can do! Of course we need to first address the issues they're facing, but once they've dealt with that and have the right mindset going... it's just amazing!

Remember, it's all about you now. Do anything you want. Sewing, Archery, learning to fly a plane - anything you want!

You know better what you'd love than I do, but if you're looking for a suggestion, I'd recommend checking out a local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that utilises various holds and locks (so don't worry about being striked in the face) and is a wonderful and fun way to learn self-defense for men, women and children in a generally friendly and welcoming community, with the option to compete in many tournaments.

Being alone doesn't mean being cut off from the world. The world is still where it's always been. Just now you have the option to take only what you love and leave what you don't.

You're free to surround yourself with who you choose, but you don't need a single person other than yourself for your happiness.

Vaughn Thomas Mottram runs a website for people unsure where to go next in life, as well as for people who simply want the best life has to offer.

Subscribe now for your FREE 'How To Make This Year THE Year' report, as well as the free weekly newsletter which covers a wide variety of topics, beginning with your body and health and how to get started.

Click the link below to begin receiving these benefits, free of charge. http://vaughnthomas.info/ Make This Year THE Year!

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How to Be Happy Without Material Things

Ha ha! Right...like, is that even possible?! Find me one person in the United States who is happy without material things....

We've all heard the best things in life are free, blah, blah, blah...that's not the gist of this article. This is about how to be happy without all that stuff...

Truthfully I don't even know why I'm writing this article?!

I'm in love with my Apple computer. I deeply appreciate my headphones that magically cancel out the sounds of power tools, jet engines and other distractions. I inevitably lean towards luxury and quality even though I'm not much of a shopper, I have to admit, material things magnify my joy.

Technology helps me shift out of a bad attitude. Inspiration is so easy these days, You can just bookmark your favorite sites. You can also get lost in lots of meaningless entertainment. Not that it's all bad, sometimes mindlessness is as good as it gets.

But here's the deal--even before I had what I have now, I used to use whatever resources I did have access to, to cultivate a state of being that felt abundant. Long before everyone knew "the secret" to attracting prosperity and abundance, believing this would make them happy, I was simply doing whatever it took to feel happy.

The power of a positive attitude became infinitely abundant early in life. It's easy when all is going well to feel upbeat. I noticed that the same people who only felt good when they weren't being challenged were the same ones who experienced chronic buyers remorse. In spite of numerous purchases/gifts they ultimately became stressed out anyway.

I don't get buyers remorse and I hardly ever shop. I love my material possessions because they reflect aspects of who I am. Without knowing who you really are, you can't know what you really want. Until you know what you really feel, your mind will continue to get manipulated by everyone else's agenda.

In order for material things to make you happy, truly happy, you have to already be happy. Material things are just the icing on the cake. So...how to be happy without them? Engage in activities that make you feel alive. Notice what thoughts put a lid on your exuberance. 

Do whatever it takes to eliminate belief systems that don't serve you anymore. Continually inspire yourself. Material possessions will find their way to you but they won't be the blink-of -an-eye-highlight of-your-day they once were, when you thought you couldn't be happy without them!

The bottom line is if you can't be happy without material things you won't really be happy with them! Prosperity and abundance and all the material possessions that go along with it are the effect of happiness. That's why our Constitution doesn't say "life, liberty and happiness" but "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." If material possessions aren't the effect of your state of being but are merely by products of a life filled with exhaustion and stress, what good are they? You won't enjoy them anyhow.

Barbara Zagata is the author of "Don't Stress~Manifest: 21 Truths to Set You Financially Free" and one of the top online Abundance and Prosperity authors.

"Don't Stress-Manifest" promotes financial freedom by teaching you to listen to your inner voice, follow your dreams and hold true to your intentions. Achieving clarity, clearing obstacles, and increasing your capacity to receive can result in a life of beauty, abundance and joy.

Watch the 1st chapter on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTcxnImhgmQ

Then take your first step towards financial freedom today by going to Amazon or http://Booklocker.com where you can get your copy of "Don't Stress~Manifest"

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100 Reasons to Be Happy!

This is an "antidote for complaint, worry, and for those who are depressed." It is not a foolproof or perfect answer by any means, but it works at least to some extent on everyone. It's the art of being grateful and the exercise is simply one of creating a list of one hundred (100) things we're grateful for.

My present gratitude list goes like this:

1. I have the most beautiful and gorgeous wife in the world.

2. My three daughters are healthy and happy.

3. My children are growing and developing so well.

4. My parents are still alive, and my brothers too.

5. My parents-in-law and my wife's family love me and I love them.

6. Overall, I have a wonderful family.

7. The house I live in has modern facilities and keeps me sheltered from the weather.

8. My wife likes spending time with me and I like spending time with her.

9. I know Jesus Christ.

10. I have hopes to have more children.

11. I am free to worship God in any way I wish to.

12. I can walk.

13. I can talk.

14. I can read and write.

15. I can think and have thoughts and time with myself.

16. My five senses work well still, unaided (presently).

17. I can see, not only through my eyes, but also through the eyes of my heart.

18. I live in relative luxury, in freedom, and in a just society.

19. I have two days off per week most weeks.

20. My employer is wonderful.

21. The job I have is both stimulating and varied, and I'm valued for my work.

22. I have good managers and co-workers.

23. I attend a church where people love me and I'm allowed to love them.

24. I have the time to write.

25. I can drive a car... I own a car.

26. I have many great tools that help me live my life.

27. My personal library is bliss; every book hand picked.

28. We have not one, but two computers in my family.

29. I have both the inclination and ability to plan ahead in my life.

30. We have access to seemingly unlimited electricity, water and food, and other resources.

31. I really don't mind washing dishes anymore; in fact, I love doing them!

32. I love Proverbs, Psalms, Ephesians and Ecclesiastes... actually, I love the whole Bible.

33. I can talk sensibly and sensitively to my teenage daughters (most of the time).

34. One day rolls into the next for me; Wednesday's are just as important as Sunday's.

35. I have been blessed to have the second chance at tertiary education.

36. Trade qualifications, knowledge and skill have always been handy.

37. I see my parents at least each fortnight and have a great relationship with them.

38. I've got three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews.

39. I have a sense of humour (most of the time).

40. Even when things don't go my way, I usually see the good things out of it.

41. I have a wonderful view outside of my office window of a serene operational harbour.

42. I'm living in the present; at the very cusp of time. I'm not dead yet.

43. The part of the earth I live in is such an inhabitable place climate-wise (most of the time).

44. I have the ability and the inclination to love--people and living things and my experiences.

45. I have a telephone so I can talk to people a long way away.

46. I have pictures of my lovely family I can look at; at home, at work, in my wallet.

47. I get to meet interesting people almost every day.

48. Living near the beach--there's nothing quite like the white noise of the surf.

49. There is clean water available for me to drink right now.

50. There is a plant I am responsible for and it hasn't died yet!

51. I have fish oil tablets and other vitamins to complement my diet.

52. I have the powers of self-control most of the time and the drive to improve.

53. I'm a member of a gymnasium.

54. The academic qualifications I have and study I've done have helped form my character so I become the person I've always wanted to be.

55. I can make a unique contribution.

56. I have a positive self-image and I'm thankful I've worked on it.

57. There is work I can do to keep me stimulated.

58. I can feel pain; most of the time this is good for pain is generally a healthy sign.

59. I have a watch, it looks good and suits my style, and I can tell time.

60. I have over three (and nearly four) decades of memories of living; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

61. Being in a western-most place means the sun sets on the horizon with the water in the foreground--that's pretty special!

62. There are plans that I'm making and have made--therein lies hope.

63. I've met some famous people and high-achievers and been inspired.

64. Coffee. I love it, and I can drink great coffee every day if I want to.

65. I earn money enough to give some away to those less fortunate.

66. Music. I really appreciate it. (And I think I have good taste--I'm allowed to say that.)

67. Enthusiasm and zeal for life and learning; I have it most of the time. I'm still excitable.

68. I have suffered loss and have survived it--it's actually made me a better person!

69. People honour me at times when they come to me for help.

70. To have achieved forty years of age... the best is yet to come.

71. I live in times of (relative) peace.

72. I have a passion for cricket and Australian football and follow both ardently.

73. This time I live in is dynamic; excitement abounds.

74. I love pizza, seafood and ice cream plus many other good foods.

75. I see miracles occur most days. Most people would call these things 'normal.'

76. I can rest and take time out to smell the flowers almost whenever I want.

77. Words and their meanings excite me. Language and communication are art.

78. Freedom of choice is something I appreciate and try not to take for granted.

79. I've overcome dependency on substances, for instance, cigarettes.

80. 'Creativity of thought' is a gift I'm appreciative of.

81. I can travel in a modern train any day I want and see the sights.

82. There is a reliable public transport system in the place I live; I feel blessed almost every time I use it.

83. A wife's or daughter's smile... what more could I say.

84. My 'encouragement file' is growing; people encourage me almost every day.

85. Mentors who've invested their time and effort in me--I'll be eternally grateful.

86. Reminds me of Maxwell Smart. I can watch television because I have one.

87. Mathematics. The sense of numbers makes sense to me.

88. The desire to keep growing throughout my life pleases me.

89. Wisdom. I see it in others and others at times see it in me. I love its truth.

90. My family's safety thus far; I try not to take it for granted.

91. I get ongoing education through courses, seminars, conferences and workshops.

92. Science. I marvel at it. It's got be intelligent design.

93. My heart is saddened by some things I see--I'm glad about that.

94. Health. My overall health, whilst not perfect, pleases me.

95. Movies and dates: I can date my wife, and love watching movies with her.

96. The range of shopping centres at my disposal is amazing.

97. I get to be "me" for all of my life. Now that's not bad.

98. I can wear whatever clothes I own; I can also dress myself.

99. One day I might be blessed enough to have grandchildren and perhaps great-grandchildren.

100. I might make it to 100 years of age by God's grace. I'm "not out" so far.

Even though we can't all subscribe to every item on this particular list of mine, it illustrates the important point that each of us has specific and very detailed reasons to be extremely thankful. Where you perhaps cannot list certain items I have, I am sure you might have items I could not list.

There really is no limit to this list when we think about it.

Copyright (c) 2008, S. J. Wickham.

Steve Wickham is a Registered Safety Practitioner (BSc, FSIA, RSP[Australia]) and a qualified, unordained Christian minister (GradDipBib&Min). His blogs are at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com/ and http://inspiringbetterlife.blogspot.com/

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