We all know that money can’t buy happiness, but many times, we act as if we will be happier if we had more money. We are conditioned to
want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to
want the latest gadget or styles in vogue; we want to earn
more money because we will have the good life. But none of that will bring
us happiness.
No
matter how much we earn, no matter the amount of money you have in your bank account, no matter how
nice our clothing or cars are, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing
is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we
realize this.
So, what
can bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing.
These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of
thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how
happy they are.
Here
they are, Three Secrets to Happiness:
1.
Good Relationships: We have a human need to be close; to
be intimate with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a
strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will
make us much more likely to be happy.
Action step: Today, spend time with your loved ones, tell them what they mean to
you, and develop your relationship with them.
2.
Positive Thinking: I am obviously a big proponent of
positive thinking as the best way to achieve goals, but it turns out that it
can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best
indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered in
control of their lives and have a positive outlook on life.
Action step: Make positive
thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop.
Get into the habit of squashing negative thoughts and replace them with
positive ones. Instead of saying or thinking “you can’t” think “I can”. It may sound trite, but it has
worked for me.
3.
Flow: This
is a popular concept on the Internet these days — the state we get acclimatised to when we
are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our
task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this
state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest
enjoyment not when they are passively mindless, but when they’re engaged in a fruitful
challenge.
Action step: Do
something you are passionate about. This is an extremely important step. Find
hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of
flow. Get outside and do something that truly engages you.
You have
been given “Three Secrets to Happiness”.
Don’t waste them!
So glad you are here, were the tips helpful? It will be a
pleasure to hear your contributions. Don’t leave without dropping a comment.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
