Pursuit Of Happiness

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Pursuit Of Happiness: 6 Keys To Finding True Happiness

The pursuit of happiness is one of the basic elements of human existence. We want to be happy. So why are so many people unhappy then? Most likely people are not happy because they are missing one of the six keys to happiness.

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What do you think? 

Is happiness the journey or the destination?

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Journey

SteveMNash says:

Journey. Oh I love easy questions like this lol

Jewelsofawe says:

Happiness needs to be where you are at in your journey rather than a destination.

samsuccess says:

Happiness is the journey!

blue22d says:

It took me a long time to realize it was a journey. If we make it a destination - then what? It is more fun to enjoy a journey and enjoy every aspect of it as we travel along the way. Great lens. Thanks.

Tuula_Olin says:

Definitely the journey. If you decide that you'll be happy if this or that happens in the future, the future is always away from now. You should try and be happy about things that you have now and then be happy on the journey to achieve the things you want.

Destination

kajspice says:

In order to be happy, you must DECIDE to be happy...

Desire is the starting point for all suffering and misery.

 
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How can you be happier? 

Happier Than God: Turn Ordinary Life into an Extraordinary Experience

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 12/07/2009)Buy Now

Determine To Be Happy 

The most important key to your personal happiness is determining that you will be happy. For many people, their personal happiness is not a priority in their life. Too often, we put the happiness of others before our own. While this may please our children, spouse, or boss, this is not the path to happiness. This dos not mean you should make yourself happy at the expense of others, but you must remember that the reverse should also not be true -- your happiness should not be sacrificed to make others happy.

Be happy 

Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out

Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 12/07/2009)Buy Now

Find What Makes You Happy 

Once you have determined to make your pursuit of happiness a priority you need to determine just what it is that makes you happy. Spend some time reviewing the happy times in your life. Think about memories that make you smile or activities that make you joyful. Can you find a common element or theme? Then that is one of the keys to finding true happiness for you.

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Do What Makes You Happy 

Now that you have identified what makes you happy you need to engage in that activity. Perhaps you need a creative outlet? Join a writing group, take an art class, or learn an instrument. Do you need physical activity? Then find a way to get back into a sport you love or start a new one. All that is necessary is that you find a way to reconnect with this key element.

Seek happiness

Decide Who Makes You Happy 

However true happiness for most of us is not dependent solely on finding that one key. For most of us, we also require special people in our lives to be happy. Perhaps you have lost touch with someone important and can reach out to them? Or perhaps it is simply a time to plan some special time with family. It is important to our own pursuit of happiness to stay connected with those we love.

Help Others 

Another essential to finding true happiness is to give of ourselves as well. Helping others in both small and large ways can help make you happier and more content. You might even be able to find a way to combine giving and engaging in an activity that makes you happy. For example, if you love to make people laugh you could organize a community talent show as a fundraiser for a local charity.

Make A List And Check It Twice 

Finally, make a list of all the aspects of your life that do make you happy. So many of us get down because we dwell on the negative, but usually there is something about your life that makes you happy. Make a list of these items so you can have a quick mood enhancer when you feel down.

Do you need a nudge? 

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness

Amazon Price: $17.16 (as of 12/07/2009)Buy Now

Find True Happiness 

The pursuit of happiness does not have to be challenging or arduous. Finding true happiness can be as simply as determining, identifying, engaging, connecting, giving and reminding yourself of the 6 keys to personal happiness.

Predict your happiness 

My prediction:

rwoman, at 9pm on December 19, 2008 predicts:

Reader predictions:

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SteveMNash, at 9am on November 16, 2009 predicts:

I will continue to be happier and happier as life goes by! (Especially when people check out my pursuit of happiness web page! ;-) )

bloomingrose, at 2am on August 1, 2009 predicts:

That I will learn how to be the happiest I have ever been as a middle age woman and beyond!

 
 
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What is happiness? 

Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy.[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=35689&dict=CALD Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary] (accessed 2008-Dec-23) A variety of philosophical, religious, psychological and biological approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.

Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a good life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion. Happiness in this older sense was used to translate the Greek Eudaimonia, and is still used in virtue ethics.

While direct measurement of happiness presents challenges, tools such as The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire have been developed by researchers. Positive psychology researchers use theoretical models that include describing happiness as consisting of positive emotions and positive activities, or that describe three kinds of happiness: pleasure, engagement, and meaning.

Research has identified a number of attributes that correlate with happiness: relationships and social interaction, extraversion, marital status, employment, health, democratic freedom, optimism, religious involvement, income and proximity to other happy people.

Happiness economics suggests that measures of public happiness should be used to supplement more traditional economic measures when evaluating the success of public policy.

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Do you know how to be happy? 

The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

Amazon Price: $16.35 (as of 12/07/2009)Buy Now

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