11/22/10

How to be Happy

I've been thinking a lot lately about being happy, and how to get there. I've lost a lot of weight lately, and while that has certainly helped my attitude and the way I think about myself, I still feel like I have a lot of work to do.

I've learned that happiness is really just a state of mind, and that there are different kinds of happiness. There's the fleeting happiness I get when I buy something I really want, like that TW Steel watch I've had my eye on. Then there is long-term happiness - which to me is more of an overall attitude in the way I approach daily life. This is what I have a hard time with. I feel like I get so caught up in everything I have to do every day that sometimes I forget to stop and enjoy the little things in life. I only just realized how much I'm missing.

I read something really interesting this weekend. Psychologists have identified some important areas that they say really impact a person's happiness. That's not to say that having or not having these things definitely determines if you will be happy or not. But they have found trends that point to general happy feelings and a positive approach to life. These things include having enough money, being healthy, having good friends and also things like spirituality and how involved you are with your community.

I've decided that I need to start by increasing my community involvement through volunteering. I'm healthy, I have enough money to take care of what I need, and I have fantastic friends. But I sometimes feel a little something missing in my life, and I think that if I can share some of the blessings I've received with others, I'll be happier.

3 comments:

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Happiness is transitory and is dependent on the fulfillment of some goals in life. Not so with joy. It is a permanent feeling embedded in our hearts knowing fully well that we are children of God and temple of the Holy Spirit and will one day enjoy eternal life with the Lord. Thanks for the post. God bless you all always.

mommy Orkid Belle said...

Hey there mommy Umma! It sure has been a long while since I visited your blog and have heard from you. Congratulations on loosing some weight. I think for me is that in order to be happy you have to have a healthy body and healthy lifestyle and content with whatever we have and of course God is in the center of your life and family.

Adin B

☆Mama Ko☆ said...

happy Thanksgiving to you tsang and to your family. Im sure nagshopping paka karon sa Vegas heehe