Finding Happiness

By: Violette L. Meier

What is happiness?

• Happiness is defined as a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

How can one become happy?

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE!!!!

Happiness is a choice that we must make every time we open our eyes. Happiness is the choice to smile even in the most undeserving circumstances. It is the choice to find beauty in a world that is seemingly twisted and demented.

• Happiness is the choice to laugh-- head back, toes spread, shoulders bouncing and mouth stretched wide even when the world seems to be frowning at you.

Happiness is the choice to dry flowing tears of sorrow and replace them with a hardy smile full of good times and pleasant memories.

Choosing happiness means hardship and trouble will not conquer you because neither of them are eternal. Unhappy times are only momentary pauses to teach valuable lessons, endurance, and strength.

Choosing happiness means acknowledging that love is real, faith is real, hope is real and that love, faith, and hope are greater than disappointment, grief, or pain.

Happiness is a

choice.

STEPS IN MAKING THE CHOICE:1. Smile2. Get nurture your spirtuality.3. Love yourself and love humanity even when people

seem undeserving. 4. Learn to think positively.5. Try to find something good in every situation. DO

NOT WORRY!6. Pray/meditate/seek quiet.

7. Don’t hold in frustrations. 8. Express what you feel.9. Surround yourself with happy people.10. Listen to positive music. Watch positive media.

Think positive thoughts.11. Do things that make your life more fulfilling (ex.

Traveling, volunteering, loving your job, taking care of your family, etc.)

Make the choice to

be happy!

For more information on finding happiness, the science of happiness, and all things happy, check out these helpful websites:

• http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/• http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/happi

ness• http://www.happiness-project.com/

• http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

• http://www.happiness.com• http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007

/09/26/how-to-find-happiness/• http://foundationforwellbeing.org/quotesjoy.ht

m

DISCLAIMER:I acknowledge that happiness is not easy for everyone and that happiness is relative. It takes time to rewire thought patterns. I also acknowledge that happiness is circumstantial. There is a season for everything. There are times in life where grief and depression are normal.Some people suffer from clinical depression and others extenuating factors. This presentation is for people not suffering from serious mental health issues.

Don’t Worry Be Happyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU