People have tried to define happiness since ages. We may not know how to define it, but we know it when we experience it. We experience happiness in various forms of positive emotions ranging from contentment to excitement and extreme joy. We may define happiness as a state of being where we feel these various positive emotions.
So, what makes us happy?
Is it good things happening around us that make us happy? Maybe not, as you may have encountered those unhappy people who complain about negatives even in the most positive of situations. Is it wealth? Probably not, since it is easy to find wealthy people unhappy with their lives. Is it success? Not at all, we have seen celebrities and business leaders who are extremely unhappy with their lives even at the pinnacle of their success.
The external situations in our lives don’t necessarily bring us happiness. It is likely that what we do with our lives makes us happy. All of us have met people who stay happy, no matter what is going around in their external environment.
How to be truly happiness
If it is what we do that makes us happy, it is important to understand what is it that happy people do differently in their lives:
1. Happy people are often generous with their time and resources and believe in giving to others. In yogic lore, it is called seva or selfless service to others.
2. Happy people engage in physical activity and exercise to keep themselves fit. When we exercise, we experience the gush of endorphins that gives us a sense of happiness. Regular physical activity also gives us higher levels of energy that keeps us ‘perked up’ throughout the day.
3. Happy people love to spend time with nature. We have all experienced the joyful moments of spending time next to a tall mountain or of hearing the roaring sound of waves on a beach. Or even the beautiful flowers in a garden and the chirpy birds on a tree. Being with nature allows us to connect with ourselves and experience the calm and contentment within ourselves.
4. Happy people build meaningful relationships. People who have meaningful relationships with their friends and family are happier and live longer lives.
5. Happy people practice gratitude in their daily lives. We all have a lot to be thankful for in our lives, if we just notice! There are lots of ways to practice gratitude, from keeping a journal of three good things that happen to you each day or just offering a simple prayer of thankfulness to the divine before we have every meal.
6. Happy people engage in meaningful activities. A mind that is absorbed in a meaningful task that challenges its abilities experiences a state of “flow”. Common passive leisure activities such as watching television produces some of the lowest levels of happiness. Engaging in meaningful tasks enables a person to grow which is necessary for one’s happiness.
7. Happy people smile through it all. Smiling reduces pain, improves our mood and helps us to think better. A smile is innately connected to happiness. When we are happy, it is easier to smile. Conversely, when we smile often, it is much easier to stay happy.
It is possible to emulate the habits of happy people and bring the same happiness in our own lives. It all comes down to taking charge of our own happiness and our lives. Happy journey towards happiness!
Based on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s wisdom talks
Happiness is a state of mind. You can train your mind to be resilient and positive through life’s challenges. Discover simple mind management techniques at the Happiness Program.
