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My Final Conclusions and Takeaways About Happiness

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My Final Conclusions and Takeaways About Happiness

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1. Even though the word "happiness" holds different meaning for everyone, it all comes down to the idea about being self-loving and caring about the things that are meaningful to us.

2. There are different ways to attain happiness. Some that I think are crucial are:

Living in the Present

Letting Happiness Come to Us, Not Searching For Happiness in the Wrong Places

Seeing Others Happy

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This is a really cute GIF from one of my favorite movies, and it makes me happy!

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Health Article/Video - "What Does It Really Mean to Be Happy?"

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Health Article/Video - "What Does It Really Mean to Be Happy?"

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This website has an embedded video, and I chose it for my Padlet, because it once again sympathizes my thoughts on releasing negative energy and being grateful of the things that we already have. I presume that gratefulness is something that most unhappy people lack. The more we let go of the negatives, the more positives we attain.

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When you go to your "happy place," you might picture yourself relaxing on a beach in Bali, fitting back into a pair of favorite old jeans, or landing that promotion you've been gunning for. But here's the thing: Elation, achievement, and success aren't the same as the warm and fuzzy feelings of happiness-and mixing them up may actually bum you out. That's why we endeavored to learn what happiness really means, by interviewing a handful of people who have devoted years of their lives to studying it.

Read about what their research and real-life experience have taught them; then use their wisdom and advice to boost your own joy. (Spoiler alert: Those old jeans will do more good in the giveaway bin.)

"Happiness Isn't Something You Feel. It's Something You Do."

I used to think I had a clear idea of what happiness looks like. I came to the U.S. at 13. My family emigrated from Russia, and we lived outside of Detroit. It was a really rough time, especially because I didn't speak English. I was overwhelmed with anxiety and self-doubt. The only time I felt OK was when I achieved anything-the day I was moved from remedial English, the day I moved out of the projects.

I thought, "This is how I'm going to be happy: I'm going to achieve things." I lived my life with this attitude. I'll be happy when I get into a good college. When I graduate. When I move to New York. When I get married. When I'm able to take care of my family...

I was always proud of my achievements, yet the happiness bubble would eventually pop. I thought I wasn't doing enough to gain the privilege of feeling good, but I hit a wall, burned out, and couldn't push anymore.

When I stumbled onto research about gratitude nine years ago, I thought it was a bunch of BS. Saying three things I was grateful for would make me happy. Ridiculous. If I was grateful for everything, I wouldn't work for anything. Still, I decided to do a 30-day experiment. I told my husband and daughter that each day, I'd write down something I was grateful for and say "thank you" to someone at least once.

The punch line is obvious. I noticed a difference right away. It's not like I became a happy-go-lucky person, but I started to find joy in small, everyday moments. Tiny things, like my daughter running up to give me a hug. Coming into my living room and noticed the light hitting a vase of tulips. Even driving to work in minimal traffic and suddenly enjoying the commute.

Before I began practicing gratitude, I wasn't present for those moments. I only stepped on them before running away. Happiness, I now realize, is not something you feel, but something you do. We don't have to earn it, or be "good enough." We just have to practice.

- Nataly Kogan, CEO of the learning platform Happier and author of Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones)

"Winning the Lottery Won't Make You Happy Indefinitely."

Even though money matters, it's not the only thing that contributes to our happiness. If money means covering all of our basic needs, it can positively contribute to happiness. However, after basic needs are met, increasing your disposable income follows the law of diminishing returns. The impact on happiness from 100 more dollars when you're already rich? Close to zero.

In happiness research, there's something called "set-point theory." It states that the increase in someone's happiness in response to life events, such as winning the lottery or moving into a bigger house, will return to its baseline after time. This theory teaches us that we should enjoy the journey, not the destination, of life events. It's important to remove the illusion that there is any one thing in this world that will make us permanently happy.

- Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

"Being Happy Is More Than Satisfying Your Impulses."

Many neuroscientists would tell you that all happiness is a chemical and electrical process in the brain: motivation, followed by a reward. As much as I love neuroscience, I like to stay curious about the possibilities beyond what science is ready to prove. The more I learn about timeless happiness, the more I see that it correlates with three experiences-relationships, contribution, and mastery.

By "relationships," I mean a feeling of connection and belonging-being seen for who we really are. (Tribes in South Africa traditionally greet each other with "Sawabona," which translates to "I see you." The response? "Sikhona," or "I'm here.") By "contribution," I mean a sense that we're offering something to the world that's uniquely our own and makes a difference to others. And by "mastery," I mean growing and working to be better versions of ourselves.

The fourth thing that ties into happiness and often gets overlooked is reflection. Not vegging out, but actually making time to quiet the mind and take stock of where you are currently in life.

The stuff we think gives us "happiness" right now-such as scrolling through social media-activates the brain's ancient motivation-and-reward system, and only gives us momentary pleasure. The average American swipes her phone thousands of times a day. We don't even know we're doing it anymore. When we first "liked" that post on Instagram, it felt great. Now, it's just a habit.

To have happiness, we need to say yes to things that strengthen our relationships, help us contribute to the world, or allow us to master new skills-and learn to resist things that just satisfy our impulses. In other words, spend less time looking at screens and more time looking at nature, the people you care about, and yourself. Do that, and you'll feel a sense of satisfaction: You're doing more than just what your brain is telling you to.

- Ellen Petry Leanse, leadership coach and author of The Happiness Hack: How to Take Charge of Your Brain and Program More Happiness into Your Life

"We Can Find Happiness at Work."

The quality of your relationships is the number one factor for your happiness. Some people think that means only at home. It's like, "Why would I try to be friends with people at work? Spare me the fluffy stuff." I used to think that too, and I now realize how shortsighted that mentality is. If we're working full-time, we spend more time with our colleagues than with anyone else. Why wouldn't we try to invest in those relationships?

Get face-to-face and make eye contact. We have "mirror neurons" in our brains, which make happiness and unhappiness contagious. So it's important to pay attention to how you're showing up at work because that's what you'll get back from your coworkers later on in the day. You are the culture. We're all affecting each other, and research shows it extends out, not just to your colleague but your colleague's colleague. Invest whatever and however you can in relationships. Practice forgiveness, though it's easier said than done. Practice kindness. And don't just band together when things are going wrong; celebrate your successes when things are going great. That's when you can really solidify your bond.

-Scott Crabtree, founder of the coaching and consulting organization Happy Brain Science

"Don't Chase Happiness-Look for Meaning Instead."

Happiness is typically defined as a positive emotional state-this smiley-face ideal. People quote Aristotle as saying, "A good life is a happy life." But really, the Greek word that Aristotle uses in his teachings, eudaimonia, better translates to "flourishing" than "happy." And when you read him, he specifically makes a distinction between "flourishing" and "happy."

Flourishing is living a virtuous life where you pursue excellence in your work, relationships, and community. Doing those things might not make you feel happy all the time. They're hard. They can be stressful. Being a parent or leader takes effort, right? But it leaves you with a deeper sense of meaning.

I advocate for the pursuit of a meaningful life, rather than chasing happiness. Research backs me up on this. When people pursue eudaimonia, they end up with greater well-being. They're actually healthier, and they live longer, too. People who believe their lives are meaningful have less of the brain plaque associated with Alzheimer's disease, and they're less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

So what does it take to create meaning? That's the million-dollar question. One of the key aspects of a meaningful life is transcendence-those rare moments when you step outside yourself and feel connected to a higher reality. It might happen on a trip to the Grand Canyon, or while you're meditating, or sitting in church. Transcendent experiences exist on a wide range, and they can change you.

-Emily Esfahani Smith, journalist, and author of The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness

"To Be Happy, Be Brave."

My former job-hosting Live Wire!, a nationally syndicated radio variety show-was a dream. I got paid to write comedy. I met fascinating people. I had actual fans who loved the show and told me so. I mean, who gets to have fans?

But it was so anxiety-producing that for two weeks out of every month I was filled with dread about the next live show. Even so, I did it for almost a decade, until the night before our ninth-anniversary show, when I had a massive anxiety attack that would not go away. It lasted for two days.

The show brought so many extraordinary things and people into my life that I thought I should be happy. Everyone thought I was lucky, and when everyone thinks you're lucky, it takes you a lot longer to realize how miserable you are.

The anxiety attack was the world's most unpleasant wake-up call. Still, it took me a couple of weeks to let the hosting job go.

My whole body changed the moment I did. My shoulders dropped, and I could breathe again. But I wasn't immediately happy. In fact, I was immediately out of sorts and wondering what the hell to do with my life. That's what sparked my Okay Fine Whatever Project-I wanted to see if I could teach my brain that everything was going to be OK by doing things that scared me and then writing about them to process the experiences.

Instead of thinking, "That sounds terrifying" when confronted with a new and weird experience, I thought, "Well, that sounds interesting." And that was enough to make a difference.

Do I feel there's a link between bravery and happiness? A hundred percent. Regret and complacency are bitches. No one wants to hang out with them, and fear invites them in, over and over again.

Bravery is a daunting word-I wish there was a word for tiny braveries: Trying to make a new friend as an adult. Going to Thailand when flying gives you panic attacks. Letting the person you're dating know that you care about them before you know how they feel about you.

These are things you're not going to win medals for, but when you add them all up at the end of your life, they are going to define whether it was a life worth living.

I think people's striving for some ideal "happiness" is one of the great causes of unhappiness in the world. If we strive for anything, it should be a healthy mind and body, a sense of purpose, and the ability to give and receive love without reservation or expectation. That seems as close to true contentment as I could get.

Also, cheese makes me happy. A good, strong vintage cheddar.

-Courtenay Hameister, author of OkayFine Whatever: The Year I Went from Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things

Thanks for your feedback!

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What Does It Really Mean to Be Happy? 6 Experts Explain

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When you go to your "happy place," you might picture yourself relaxing on a beach in Bali, fitting back into a pair of favorite old jeans, or landing that promotion you've been gunning for. But here's the thing: Elation, achievement, and success aren't the same as the warm and fuzzy feelings of happiness-and mixing them up may actually bum you out.

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Greatist Article - "The Myth of Happiness - and How to Be Truly Happy"

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Greatist Article - "The Myth of Happiness - and How to Be Truly Happy"

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The following article mentions some ideas about learning to be happy within ourselves and tips for cultivating happiness. Self-love and feelings of abundance are the key to happiness. Connecting with yourself and guiding yourself through meditation are some ways to find inner peace. Also, intending to be happy and disregarding other thoughts, questions, concerns, and fears can help us to be happy in any kind of situation. Basically, it is our choice to be happy, and only we can change the way we feel about life. Finally, the article talks about something that I found very fascinating. It says that one of the concepts that people misunderstand is called "Surrender". This is a very deep idea, and it essentially means not to search for happiness, but instead, let happiness come to you. People do all sorts of things to be happy and try to control the situation, but in reality, we need to have faith in life and let life flow. If we are meant to be happy, which everyone has a right to, then we will be happy no matter how tough the position is. The outcome of this will be bigger and better than the outcome of forcing happiness to come to us.

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Many of us have been believing in a lie. We've bought into the myth that happiness is something we achieve when everything in our life finally looks the way we've been thinking it should. Cue the relationship, ring, job, country house, wardrobe, vacations, beauty products, weight loss. But here's the challenge: These things alone don't create lasting happiness, so happiness becomes this elusive thing that we desire but don't know how to achieve.

We can choose happiness in this moment.

The truth is that happiness is not circumstantial. And this is really good news. It means we don't have to wait for everything to be perfect, nor do we have to control anything outside of ourselves in order to feel a certain way. Becoming aware of this truth is a total game-changer, because it means we can choose happiness in this moment. And something beautiful happens when we do this: When we feel happy first, our outward experience begins to shift in ways we'd only dreamed of.

In this article, I'll discuss how people can reset their attitude toward happiness and share three tips for cultivating happiness from the inside, out.

Searching for Happiness in all the Wrong Places

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we will be happy as soon as everything in our lives is exactly the way we want it to be-and that the solution to happiness is that we must keep working harder to control these external situations in order to make them "right." But when we make things happen (lose the weight, get the relationship, get the raise) in a condition in which we are needing them to fill us up, validate us, or make us feel whole and complete, these changes won't be sustainable. We might even realize these outward things don't make us happy after all.

In reality, self-love is the baseline of happiness. When we live from a pure space of self-love, we are able to achieve sustainable happiness, because our internal feelings of abundance will reflect back to us in the form of beautiful relationships, purpose-driven work, and financial freedom. In short, self-love puts us on the fast track to healing. Our work is to clear out our fearful perceptions and shift them back to a loving perspective on life, which reveals our perfection and wholeness.

We don't need to be fixed and nothing is wrong with us -these are just the stories we've been telling ourselves. When we let go of our limiting beliefs, we can finally experience freedom, happiness, and our highest potential.

Learning to Feel Happy Within

Here, I share three practical ways to cultivate more happiness within and create a life beyond your wildest dreams.

1. Connect With Yourself

Slow down and get quiet enough to listen to your inner guide (a.k.a your intuition or your truth), and spend less time listening to other people's opinions or the loud, critical voice inside your own mind (which often manifests as racing thoughts or 3a.m. panic). One of the best practices for cultivating the ability to hear your inner guiding system is meditation. If finding the time to sit quietly is not realistic at the moment, an even simpler life-changing practice is to make daily mundane activities-such as brushing our teeth or standing in line at the grocery store-a time for quiet reflection. In these moments, ask for guidance and listen for some clear answers.

When we flex our spiritual muscle and connect with ourselves, it gives us access to an inner abundance of wisdom and knowledge (you'll recognize it as a quiet, calm knowing voice). This inner source of wisdom will always guide us to our best right actions.

2. Set an Intention to Be Happy

Despite what we may have been taught, happiness is as simple as just choosing to be happy. When we truly realize this-that happiness is a choice -we instantly empower ourselves in any situation, whether it's a relationship, job, or pattern of thinking that's been creating judgments, worry, doubt, fear, or confusion. The moment we choose to perceive things differently by choosing a loving perception of ourselves, others, and our circumstances, we not only strengthen our capacity to feel happy-we also open ourselves up to limitless possibilities where there once was seemingly no solution. A creative flow reveals itself, and we're able to experience more ease and less struggle sometimes instantly.

This is a lifelong practice, because when we're not monitoring our thoughts, they have a tendency of veering back into fear and worry. One of the simplest and most profound ways we can align with loving perceptions each day is to practice setting an intention every morning when we wake up. This intention can be very simple: Just say to yourself, I choose happiness -and feel it.

3. Surrender

Most of us don't know what "surrender" means. It's the opposite of the way many of us operate, which is by attempting to control outcomes and situations and to make things happen. In contrast, surrender occurs when we release our need to control things, and instead choose to place a higher level of trust and faith in the process of life.

When we tap into this relaxed energy, we allow that which we desire to flow to us in a miraculous way. The job, relationship, or whatever we are envisioning and desiring for our lives is all on its way-and when we surrender our plans for the timeline and the form in which we think it should arrive, we allow an even bigger and better outcome to take place. When we are not fearfully boxing ourselves in, we are able to fearlessly say YES to limitless opportunities for joy to enter our lives.

Being Happy-The Takeaway

By connecting with ourselves, setting intentions to be happy, and surrendering to the natural flow of life, we can breathe a sigh of relief, trusting and knowing that everything is unfolding in perfect, divine timing-and the only work we need to do is to get out of our own way and let life happen. Because happiness is our birthright.
Jennifer Kass is a holistic happiness coach and spiritual mentor. She is a writer and speaker and works in her one-on-one coaching programs. The views expressed herein are hers and hers alone. To learn more about Jennifer, visit www.jenniferlkass.com. Originally posted May 2013. Updated March 2014.

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Many of us have been believing in a lie. We've bought into the myth that happiness is something we achieve when everything in our life finally looks the way we've been thinking it should. Cue the relationship, ring, job, country house, wardrobe, vacations, beauty products, weight loss.

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Meditating

Prayers

Enjoyment

Letting Go

Showing Gratitude

Being With the People You Love

Focusing On the Things That Are Most Important to You

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TEDxTalk - "Why We're Unhappy - The Expectation Gap"

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TEDxTalk - "Why We're Unhappy - The Expectation Gap"

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In the following TEDxTalk, Nat Ware talks about the reason that most people aren't satisfied with life, and expectations versus reality. I think it shows a great connection to our society, because almost everyone, including me, tends to be happy only when things go their way. We tend to be unhappy when things don't go our way, because that is how the human brain is programmed. I think Ware does a great job showing this concept.

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Why we're unhappy -- the expectation gap | Nat Ware | TEDxKlagenfurt

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I've always wondered is happiness is something that is set for you in your lifetime. I learned from this website that the word "hap" literally means fortune or chance, and "y" means to be glad. I never knew this before, but I found it very shocking and interesting, so I think that happiness really is just predestined. A person can have everything but not be happy, and someone else can have absolutely nothing in life and be happier than the other. Whether you end up happy or unhappy, everything is determined by your fate. Regardless, there are factors (like achieving something that is meaningful to you) that can change your fate as well, so people may have an opportunity of being happy at some point in their lives.

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Does Luck Create Happiness?

The word happy, in the late fourteenth century, literally meant lucky or being favored by fortune. Hap means chance or fortune, and y means a sense of being very glad. Even in our modern era of studies that tell us how to be scientifically happy, feeling happy can still feel random, as if the moment happens by chance.

I can't help but wonder, "Does luck create happiness?" We usually feel lucky when we get immediate gratification. We want something, and it seems to be delivered to us by a magic genie. Mine is usually dressed in purple and resembles Barbara Eden from "I Dream of Jeannie". I feel lucky when the parking space I want is available, a scratch-off lottery ticket wins, or I'm trying to get a work appointment with someone and they answer the phone when I call and I make the appointment.

However, is luck still at play when we don't get what we want? Warren Buffett, famously rejected by Harvard Business School, now says that was the best thing that ever happened to him. It feels that way to him now after he has the benefit of perspective, but did it feel that way at the time? Probably not. But was he lucky that his education took a different path? Probably.

Warren Buffet wanted to be successful more than he wanted to go to Harvard therefore, his detour became lucky. Was it luck or his attitude or a bit of both?

Lucky Omens & Charms

Virtually every culture throughout history acknowledges luck. Good luck charms must be given to or found by us for them to be lucky. We can't buy luck.
In many cases lucky omens become part of our family history. Here are three that I grew up with:
* Sneezing, especially three times in a row, is lucky. This one gets put to test during allergy season.
* When you find a penny, and pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck. You get even more luck if was found head side up.
* Put money in a new wallet so it'll never be empty.
Two that I found on my own and love:
* Wearing a ring on your thumb brings good luck. I wear my Mimmie's wedding ring.
* Knocking on wood to express my thanks when I feel lucky about something that did or didn't happen.
Even when we go through times when we're feeling unlucky, we can remember this proverb:
If I had to answer my original question, I suppose feeling lucky does make me feel happier. Now, I just need to work a little more on recognizing that when I'm not feeling so lucky, there's probably a future blessing in that moment.

Good Luck Rituals & Wishes

I'm sending you one of my favorite lucky charms, a four-leaf clover-visualize it landing on your cheek. Four-leaf clovers were once so rare that finding one was considered great luck. Each leaf represents one of my wishes for you: fame, wealth, a faithful lover, and glorious health.

Now it's your turn. Do you have any good luck rituals? Leave a comment below to let us know what they are!! And, if you know someone who could benefit from reading this article, please share it with them! Everyone deserves a lucky charm of their very own!
Are you an Amused Member of the Secret Society of Happy People (it's free)?
If not, it's the perfect time to join. We just updated our 31 Types of Happiness poster for 2017 (it's part of the membership) and we'd love to send you a printable!
Click on the image below to learn more and become a member!
Written by Pamela Gail

Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998. A few of the things that make her smile are the monthly book club she hosts, trying new wines with friends, yoga, and cooking for friends and her dog Tater--who always makes her happy. She's the Chief Happiness Officer forHappier @ Work, speaker, trainer, author of the Secret Society of Happy Peoples Thirty-One Types of Happiness Guide, and writes the Society Column. The Society of Happy People celebrates happiness including hosting the annual Happiness Happens Month and Hunt for Happiness Week. Pamela was named a semi-finalist in the search for the next Global Thought Leader in 2013.

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Does Luck Create Happiness? - Society Of Happy People

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The word happy, in the late fourteenth century, literally meant lucky or being favored by fortune. Hap means chance or fortune, and y means a sense of being very glad. Even in our modern era of studies that tell us how to be scientifically happy, feeling happy can still feel random, as if the moment happens by chance.

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"Happier" is a hit song by Marshmello. It depicts a tragic love story about the artist unwillingly wanting to break-up with his significant other, because he believes that it will make her happy:

"Lately, I've been, I've been thinking
I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier...
...Then only for a minute
I want to change my mind
'Cause this just don't feel right to me
I want to raise your spirits
I want to see you smile but
Know that means I'll have to leave..."

I think this song is very meaningful, since it describes how some people would take any measures just to make other people happy. In other words, their happiness is dependent on a loved one's happiness. This tremendously connects to Gatsby, because Gatsby's happiness is Daisy's happiness. When Gatsby finds out that Daisy doesn't like the party, he gets rid of everything and stops throwing them. The song similarly talks about how the artist himself isn't happy that he is going through a break-up, but is forcing himself to get out of her life so that she will be happy.

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Marshmello ft. Bastille - Happier (Official Music Video)

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Some of the Reasons People May Be Unhappy

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Some of the Reasons People May Be Unhappy

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Physical Health

Mental Health

Emotional Health

Spiritual Health

Financial Status

Separation From Loved Ones

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This quote describes that true happiness is attained by the journey of our fulfilling our dreams and ambitions, and using experiences to learn and move forward in life instead of living in the past. I think it is 100% true.

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Motivational Quote - "Happiness is Contagious"

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Motivational Quote - "Happiness is Contagious"

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I love this quote, because it encourages you to be happy - if not for yourself, then at least for others. Making others happy will also make you happy.

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This is my Pineapple Conure, and he usually loves to cuddle with me! He calms me and makes me feel better and happy when I'm feeling down.

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This is a clip from a movie called "Cyberbully". It is about a teenage girl who gets cyberbullied by other girls, which causes a distraction in her school life and love life. At one point she decides to attempt suicide but is luckily saved by her mom and friend. I think this is just one of the various examples that represents unhappiness in life. This particular one really touched my heart, because it represents that one person's unhappiness can affect other people's as well, as seen through the expressions on the faces of the girl's mom and friend.

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Cyberbully - Suicide Attempt Scene. ** SAD PART

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I like this quote, because it strengthens my knowledge about finding happiness in the present and not worrying about the past. In my opinion, that is the best way to be happy, because if we don't look at what we have ahead of us, it is likely to go deeper into the world of overthinking and unhappiness.

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I interviewed Mrs. Stich, the secretary at the Sophomore Class House, about what makes her happy.

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PsychCentral Article - "How Do You Find Happiness?" 

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PsychCentral Article - "How Do You Find Happiness?" 

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This article talks about some of the different ways people can find happiness in their lives. One particular idea I found very engaging and debatable was to "learn the art of letting go". The article mentions that when you let go of things, you feel a state of freedom that typically makes most people happy. Letting go of things in the past can release the negative energy inside our bodies. Instead of grieving over what we have lost, we should be learning from our experiences and use them as examples for the future. While it is true that he is innocent out of everything, he thinks the past can be repeated. Nick narrates, "He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of the reach of his hand" (Fitzgerald 110). He believes that the past can be changed, and he tries to live in his memories. He doesn't let go of Daisy and eventually ends up dying because of not being able to move on.

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Happiness is defined as "a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy." Sounds great, doesn't it? So what makes happiness so hard to attain?

One of the common reasons we find it so difficult to find happiness is due to our perception of what it really is. Our ability to be happy depends on how we define it.

For many, happiness is defined by what has been achieved, what has been accomplished, or material things we have obtained.

While these things can contribute to the feeling of being happy, do they really bring us true happiness?

So what is happiness? Where does it come from? How do we achieve it?

Live Our "Best Life."For starters we can begin by living what I like to call our "best life." This consists of being the best version of ourselves we can be. It involves self-acceptance and no longer comparing ourselves to others. Living our best life also includes no longer using things to measure our happiness, but focusing on the feeling. Practicing mindfulness can also help us achieve happiness. In doing this we can fully experience the moment and learn to engage with each moment on its terms, taking things as they come. When we are able to accept things for what they are, we can be happier.

Practice daily gratitude.Gratitude determines our attitude. As we practice gratitude, it eventually becomes second nature. We become able to find the beauty in small things and appreciate all life has to offer.

Learn the art of letting go.When we learn to let go, we find the path to freedom. By learning to let go, we are no longer held captive by our past or lingering negative emotions.

These are other things we can do to get ourselves in a feel-good mood.

Smile.Everyone knows a smile is contagious. If you're feeling down in the dumps, force a smile and keep smiling. If you don't give into that feeling of wanting to smile, you will eventually get the giggles from looking so silly.

Smell something that makes you happy.The sense of smell is very powerful and can trigger several moods and reactions. Why not smell your way to happiness? Sniff your favorite flower, inhale your favorite fragrance, or indulge in the aromas of your favorite food. When I'm feeling down, I tend to smell lavender. I not only enjoy the smell, but it also has some calming and relaxing properties.

Do something good for someone else.If you can't put a smile on your face, put a smile on someone else's. Doing a good deed will often result in that good, bubbly feeling of joy. When you've made someone's day, how can you avoid a smile?

Do something you enjoy that you haven't done in a while.Remember that feeling of complete happiness when the wind blows in your face as you swing on a swing, or when you play a good game of baseball, or make a nice batch of cookies? Well, get up and get moving! There is no pick-me-up like doing something pleasurable you haven't done in a while. Think back to little things that have made you happy and explore those again.

Laugh, laugh, laugh.Just as a smile is contagious, so is laughter. Watch a funny movie or reminisce about something funny and just laugh. If you can't think of anything to laugh at, just start laughing and keep thinking. You're bound to eventually think of something funny or continue laughing at yourself.

These are a few suggestions, but happiness is unique and so is your path. Find what makes you happy today and live life to the fullest. Edith Wharton was quoted saying "if only we'd stop trying to be happy, we'd have a pretty good time."

Stop trying to be happy or thinking about being happy and challenge yourself to do what makes you happy. Find what makes you happy today and live life to the fullest.

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Happiness is defined as "a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy." Sounds great, doesn't it? So what makes happiness so hard to attain? One of the common reasons we find it so difficult to find happiness is due to our perception of what it really is.

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These is a picture of me with two of my best friends. This picture was from of their birthdays a few months ago. We went to the mall and enjoyed a lot. They make my day, and I feel really comfortable talking to them, because I love them.

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My Thoughts - Why Some People Are Never Happy

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My Thoughts - Why Some People Are Never Happy

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I think that some people are unhappy due to their negative thinking, past memories, experiences, etc. People fail to achieve happiness by not letting go of the negative energy that is absorbed inside of them. They fail to believe in themselves and the potential inside of them. For example, we have seen that Holden Caulfield is a person who is always depressed. The cause of this is the lack of his personal motivation and his inability to reflect on his life.

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Infographic About Attaining Happiness - "The Things That Make Us Happy"

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Infographic About Attaining Happiness - "The Things That Make Us Happy"

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The following infographic shares some tips on how to be happy in general. I found it very surprising that a great percentage of people are happy when they are in a relationship and know that they can be trusted by their partner. I also know this previously, but many people do believe that pets contribute to their happiness. I was also shocked by the fact that older people tend to be a lot more happy, but I think that it makes sense; People who are older have fewer things to worry about in life, so they like to enjoy pleasures like retirement and grandchildren.

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Santiago has one goal: to catch the giant marlin. He stays in a boat in the middle of the ocean, stays hungry for a long period of time, gets cut on his arm, and even battles sharks to do this. He goes through all this, because his big catch makes him satisfied as if he has completed his life's mission.

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Gatsby spends five years of his life getting rich, buying a mansion, and throwing humongous parties to be closer to Daisy. Gatsby's happiness is Daisy and her happiness, so when he realized that Daisy didn't like the party, "the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night" (Fitzgerald 113). He inherits all that money for him and Daisy to start a new life together, because he truly loves her, and she makes him feel complete.

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I interviewed Mrs. O'Bryan, the secretary at the Sophomore Class House, about what makes her happy.

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Action For Happiness Article - "What Does Happiness Mean to You?"

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Action For Happiness Article - "What Does Happiness Mean to You?"

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I strongly agree with the powerful points in this article, because they describe that smiling doesn't just mean to smile all the time and hide what is true sadness. Happiness is basically defined as the self-belief that makes you feel satisfied and contented with the way that your life is going. Even the littlest of things can have very substantial meaning to a person, and he/she can be happy because of that one thing. On the contrary, people can have the largest blessings on Earth but not be happy. This may be due to the lack of self-belief or previous memories that come back to haunt a them. An example of this is Gatsby. Even though he has everything a person could ask for (mansion, beach, dock, servants, etc.), only Daisy makes him happy. Daisy is Gatsby's past, and he can't forget the memories he had with her before going to war. Daisy, who left Gatsby for Tom, is still someone who he loves and can do anything for. Gatsby's happiness lies in Daisy's happiness, which may sound pathetic but while being such a small thing, means the world to Gatsby.

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What does happiness mean to you?

Happy is a much used word. "I'm happy about this, I'm not happy about that..."

But what does being happy really mean? How do we know we are happy? What does it feel like?

Research has shown that long-term happiness, feeling contented with life, stems from feeling and being in charge of as much of our life as possible. It's not about smiling all the time nor does it stem from money or health, but a self-belief you are on the road you want to be on.

The problem many of us face however is that we live out of sync with what matters most to us and we find ourselves doing a lot more things we don't like, meaning the things that contribute most to our happiness slip-off our agenda.

One of the most common reasons people seek life coaching is because they have an overall sense of unhappiness and lack of fulfilment. By helping increase self-awareness, coaching brings an understanding of where you are in your life and how you get to where you want to be.
Exploring Happiness
Last Month's international Day of Happiness inspired lots of debate, including a panel discussion at The Canvas Café, London's First Happy Café. It was an energetic event and the themes tied in with research from the Action for Happiness Ten keys to Happier Living.

At the event, people discussed the importance of being spontaneous and playful; of making a difference to others; of making an effort to be happy in everyday life, and of being kind to oneself and others.

To find out what being happy means to you, ask yourself what's important to you in your life.

What is meaningful to you? What are the things that give you a deep sense of satisfaction and as a result, bring you happiness?

It's often the little things that bring great joy. Reigniting old passions such as painting, writing, photography or a sport; spending quality time with family and friends; changing a habit or routine or doing some voluntary work in your community.

Making an effort every day to explore what's possible is the very thing that renders our life meaningful and happy. It is essential for our wellbeing.

Karen Liebenguth is a life coach and accredited mindfulness teacher. She offers 1:1 coaching while walking in Victoria park because she believes that it is in nature where insight, change and creativity can happen most naturally. Karen also offers mindfulness workshops and courses for the workplace to reduce stress and restore wellbeing.

For more information visit: www.greenspacecoaching.com or drop Karen a line: karen@greenspacecoaching.com

This article was originally published in Love East magazine in April 2016. It is re-published here with permission.

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Happy is a much used word. "I'm happy about this, I'm not happy about that..." But what does being happy really mean? How do we know we are happy? What does it feel like? Research has shown that long-term happiness, feeling contented with life, stems from feeling and being in charge of as much of our life as possible.

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In "The Crucible," we can see that Abigail's happiness is John. She performs witchcraft, lies, and gets people killed just so she can get John Proctor all to herself.

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Holden Caulfield is never happy, because he realizes that there is a lot of negativity in the world. According to my own views and observations, the only thing would make him somewhat satisfied is to erase all this negativity to protect young children like his sister. His dream is to be a "catcher" in a field of rye.