8 STEPS TO HAPPINESS
1. Count your blessings. One way to do this is with a "gratitude journal" in which you write down three to five things for which you are thankful - from the mundane to the magnificent.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. (Buddha)
2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both random and systematic. Being kind to others, whether friends or strangers, triggers a cascade of positive effects it makes you feel generous and capable, gives you a greater sense of connection with others and wins you smiles, approval and reciprocated kindness all happiness boosters.
To him in whom love dwells, the whole world is but one family. (Buddha)
3. Savour life's joys. Pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. (Buddha)
4. Thank a mentor. If there's someone whom you owe a debt of gratitude for guiding you at one of life's crossroads, don't wait to express your appreciation, in detail and, if possible, in person.
5. Learn to forgive. Let go of anger and resentment. Inability to forgive is associated with persistent rumination or dwelling on revenge, while forgiving bolsters positive feelings about your past and gives you peace of mind.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned. (Buddha)
6. Invest time and energy in friends and family. Where you live, how much money you make, your job title and even your health have surprisingly small effects on your satisfaction with life. The biggest factor appears to be strong personal relationships.
7. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising, stretching, smiling and laughing can all enhance your mood in the short term. Practiced regularly, they can help make your daily life more satisfying.
Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care. (Buddha)
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships. There is no way to avoid hard times. Religious faith has been shown to help people cope and genuinely lifts the spirit, but so do the secular beliefs enshrined in axioms like "This too shall pass" and "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger." The trick is that you have to believe them.
1. Count your blessings. One way to do this is with a "gratitude journal" in which you write down three to five things for which you are thankful - from the mundane to the magnificent.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. (Buddha)
2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both random and systematic. Being kind to others, whether friends or strangers, triggers a cascade of positive effects it makes you feel generous and capable, gives you a greater sense of connection with others and wins you smiles, approval and reciprocated kindness all happiness boosters.
To him in whom love dwells, the whole world is but one family. (Buddha)
3. Savour life's joys. Pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. (Buddha)
4. Thank a mentor. If there's someone whom you owe a debt of gratitude for guiding you at one of life's crossroads, don't wait to express your appreciation, in detail and, if possible, in person.
5. Learn to forgive. Let go of anger and resentment. Inability to forgive is associated with persistent rumination or dwelling on revenge, while forgiving bolsters positive feelings about your past and gives you peace of mind.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned. (Buddha)
6. Invest time and energy in friends and family. Where you live, how much money you make, your job title and even your health have surprisingly small effects on your satisfaction with life. The biggest factor appears to be strong personal relationships.
7. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising, stretching, smiling and laughing can all enhance your mood in the short term. Practiced regularly, they can help make your daily life more satisfying.
Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care. (Buddha)
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships. There is no way to avoid hard times. Religious faith has been shown to help people cope and genuinely lifts the spirit, but so do the secular beliefs enshrined in axioms like "This too shall pass" and "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger." The trick is that you have to believe them.