By Lisa Cypers Kamen, What is Your Happiness?
Happiness can be likened to hidden treasure – elusive, enduring, secretive and challenging. The big question when seeking happiness is how? In hard times, finding happiness can appear impossible, but in reality there are six simple steps you can follow.
1. Be Mindful
Being in the moment with awareness of the people, places, things and context of now. The past is behind us. The future is uncertain. Why not appreciate this very minute? Focus on what is positive right now. There is always something good even the silver lining of adversity.
2. Exercise Every Day.
“No one in our society needs to be told that exercise is good for us. Whether you are overweight or have chronic illness or are a slim couch potato, you’ve probably heard or read this dictum countless times throughout your life,” says Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky author of The How of Happiness. “But has anyone told you-indeed guaranteed you-that regular physical activity will make you happier? I swear by it.”
3. Opt for Experience over Expense
In a period of economic uncertainty where we watch our pennies like hawks, it might be prudent to expend our efforts in creating rich adventures or experiences to create emotionally rich memories versus spending money to acquire objects which may or may not have lasting value or buy increased happiness.
4. Practice Gratitude
Express thankfulness regularly and often. “In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things taken together, life is good and worth living… In other words, when we say “thank you” to another, our ego steps aside if just for moment to praise another for their contribution however small or large to our wellbeing” says Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. author of Thanks-How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.
5. Volunteer
According to The Healing Power of Doing Good by Luks and Payne, volunteering or doing something for somebody makes us feel good, increases our sense of wellbeing and can make us feel positively giddy with excitement. Known as “the helper’s high”, by serving others we ultimately serve ourselves resulting in our own elevated sense of fulfillment. Receiving, by giving, for the pleasure of helping another.
Why seek happiness in hard times? We all know it is easier to embrace the gloom and doom of the present global economic situation, but happiness is serious business. As babies, we are born innately happy and become less so as we grow. Through awareness, one can recover or illuminate what has been lost or darkened by life’s trials and tribulations. Happiness is not a selfish, narcissistic or ego driven pursuit but necessary for a health and productive society. Through choice we can decide our destiny through happy thoughts that produce results.
Remember…happiness is an inside job!
Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.
Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.
Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.
She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.