Happiness is a mental state. It's a state of "well-being and contentment," to be precise.
However, the definition might be difficult to understand, and preconceptions about the word can lead to confusion. Many people are unaware that learning to be happy is something that can be deliberately done. When some individuals hear the word "happy," they automatically think of an emotion like pleasure or joy. It is, for them, what people feel in the present moment.
This is why some individuals advise, "Don't seek happiness, seek joy." Happiness is fleeting and ephemeral, but joy endures forever.”
However, this short-term notion of happiness is not shared by everyone. Some people define it as long-term happiness.
In fact, when I talk about having happiness in life, I'm not referring to fleeting feelings. I consider the term "quality of life" in a much broader sense.
Both meanings are correct, yet they refer to different realities.
But do they really differ that much? No, I don't believe so.
After all, a long-term sensation of happiness and pleasure is very certainly made up of many short-term feelings of joy and pleasure. Does this imply that every day is perfect, with no obstacles, temptations, or setbacks? Definitely not. However, it does imply that we may look back on the numerous seasons of life with satisfaction at how we managed them.
When we accept the sensation of joy in the present moment, we enjoy the highest long-term feeling of life satisfaction.
And we do that by taking small efforts toward happiness every day. Here are some suggestions for making today a happier day.
Decide to be happy.
The most important thing to remember about happiness is that it is not a result of one's current situation. Happiness, on the other hand, is a decision. Is it more difficult on certain days than others? Absolutely. However, if you fall into the trap of believing that your circumstances must change before you can be happy, you'll never get there.
Concentrate on the positive.
Right now, there are wonderful things in your life: you are alive, nourished, and well, you have family and friends, and you have opportunities to do meaningful work every day. Maybe not all of them apply to you right now, but at least some of them do, indicating that there is good in your life to focus on.
Happiness is a matter of perspective, and you'll probably find reasons to be happy if you look for them. People that are happy concentrate on positive thoughts.
Stop making comparisons.
Comparison will rob you of happiness, regardless of how you define it—short-term or long-term. There are no winners in the game of comparison, whether we compare our wealth, our body types, our vacations, our abilities, our house size, or our shoe size. But there's some good news: you're not being forced to play! You have the option to stop at any moment. Stop comparing yourself to others and be grateful for what you have. Also, appreciate who you are. Work hard every day to live your best life.
Gratitude and generosity should be practiced.
Every time happiness is investigated in the field of positive psychology, a few motifs emerge. Gratitude and generosity are two of the reoccurring themes.
Both of which can only be properly appreciated if they are viewed as disciplines rather than reactions. Regardless of our circumstances, we must exercise a discipline. You'll never get there if you wait till you have enough money to be generous. Similarly, you will never experience gratitude if you wait for everything to be perfect first. Today, choose to be grateful. And make the decision to be generous with both your time and your money.
Don't obsess with material goods.
Although possessions are fundamental for survival, our society appears to have conflated consumerism with happiness. Marketers strive hard to persuade us that their products are not only necessary for survival, but also necessary for enjoyment.
We gradually begin to trust their bogus promises and waste our lives chasing after things that can never satisfy us. We waste time, money, energy, and attention chasing after and amassing things we don't require.
We bring stress, worry, and load to our lives as a result of our excess things. Do you want to be a little happier today? Start with decluttering a closet or drawer and challenging consumerism in your life.
Take a look around you.
We are born with the desire to pursue our own interests. We don't need to be told to look out for ourselves. As if it were hardwired into our genes, we pursue self-survival, self-promotion, self-actualization, and self-exaltation.
However, the most effective approach to long-term satisfaction and fulfillment is to consider not only your own, but also the interests of others. We live lives of more significance and service when we move our emphasis away from ourselves. We feel the beauty of unselfish love when we serve others without regard for what we might gain in return. Our universe (and happiness) begins to grow exponentially in size.
It is no minor thing that so many people want happiness. Let's make certain we discover it, both in the short and long term.
The best way to be happy is to see the good things around you. Choose to be positive everyday and be grateful for all you have and focus only on God who gives happiness to His children.