Welcome to my Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote. See today's daily inspirational quotes below.
May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Sunday, November 2, 2008

How to be Happy - 7 Secrets for a Happy Life

7 Secrets for a Happy Life
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

We all want to be happy, but something always gets in the way. There is never enough time... or money. Somebody is always failing to do what they are "supposed" to do... or not do. Our boss, our spouse, our kids, our parents, our friends, government, big business, whoever... "They" aren't doing it right. "They" failed us. We are angry, and we have a right to be angry. But is that righteous anger making us happy?

Happiness is not something anyone else can give us... or take away from us. Happiness is what we make of our lives... or don't. Whatever our circumstances, we can create a joyful life... or a miserable life. It is up to us.

Here are 7 Secrets for a Happy Life

1. Respect Yourself: If I don't love and respect myself, who will? It all starts right here with ME. If I think that I'm a pretty good person, it doesn't much matter what anyone else thinks. And the irony is that once I like myself, most everyone else will like me too. People enjoy being around people who speak well of themselves - not in an arrogant boastful way, but with honest self-appreciation.

2. Forgive Everyone for Everything: Angry and happy don't mix. Flush out the angry, and the happy has a place to put down roots. Until we forgive everyone for everything, we hold on to anger and resentment. Once we forgive, we can become happy. Forgiving is not a gift to someone else - Forgiving is our gift to ourselves - a great gift - the gift of happiness.

3. Be Grateful for All of Life: Each of us has been infinitely blessed - beginning with the gift of life. Whatever may appear to be missing or broken on any particular day, our glass is not half full, it is 99.9% full. More practically, when we feel ungrateful, we become unhappy. When we choose to feel and express our gratitude, the act of feeling and speaking our thanks creates a happiness within us. The more we express our gratitude, the more we have for which to be grateful. Today and every day, take time to celebrate life - whether an hour's meditation in a quiet natural space, or a brief moment's conscious pause to breathe deeply and celebrate gratitude for life.

4. Choose Happiness: Everything in life is a choice. There is never anything we ever "need" to do. Every action and thought is a choice and has consequences - pleasant or unpleasant. Whether you go to work today, change jobs, smile at the bank teller, yell at your kids, complain about life, hold a daily celebration of gratitude for life - they are all choices. Happiness is a choice. Stay alert and make conscious choices for happiness.

5. Begin at the End: You can never reach your destination if you don't have a destination. Decide what accomplishments you want recorded on your tombstone. Take a whole quiet day to consider your life. Be very clear that your happiness does NOT depend on reaching your goal. In fact, it's the reverse. Your happiness depends on accepting whatever life throws at you while you walk the path toward your goal. What is important for your happiness is having a goal, and working toward it.

6. Start Today: Whatever you want in life, start today. Not tomorrow - today. Let it be a small beginning - a tiny beginning. Your happiness depends on starting today - every day.

7. Accept that Life is NOT "Supposed to be Fair": Know that there is no single way that life is "supposed" to be. Demanding that life meet our expectations is a sure fire recipe for a miserable existence. Life is a game with no rules. Life just happens to us regardless of our best intentions. Our only path to happiness lies in being open to receiving whatever life throws at us - with Gratitude. Have NO Expectations of life.

[Originally published at Seven Secrets for a Happy Life]

20 comments:

  1. I really like your last point. It is perhaps hard to accept but it really is the type of reality that we have to live with constantly. Lao Tzu would have embraced this totally.

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  2. quite well said that, it isn t the cards your played that is important, but how well you play the cards you were dealt, in french they say ;bon courage; translates, don t fear do it..Joseph di...

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  3. Funny. This site limits itself to no one, but it's as Christian as Christ Himself. Cool.

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  4. I really enjoy the daily inspiration that I receive daily! I am struggling with clinical depression and I have found your encouragement to be very comforting.

    Thank you so much.

    CD

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  5. Daily inspiration is needs of all life!from sun rise to set, all life facing any conflict in life and all need one shoulder to hang on it!This thoughts of inspiration is works good for motivation.I like it very much.Thanks for this post.
    acekard

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  6. Hi JLH, I particularly liked the last one :.

    Accept that Life is NOT "Supposed to be Fair":

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  7. ithankyouGodforthelivingJune 14, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Yes i learn to live with that...and `ll be happy and thankful for the next moment...regarding the last point.......

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  8. Accept the life not supposed to be,life is a game with no rules,life just happens with out our intension,expect nothing,all are golden words of solace worth in keeping showcase but very difficult to practice!

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  9. It's very informative and inspiring blog which helps you to increase your happiness and enjoy your life more. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  10. It is up to us to live life to its full potential.- Life is a gift never take it for granted.-

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  11. Thanks for this inspirational words. And Jesus said that life is more than anything. There is hope for whoever has life. Hope to repent, to be liberated,to work the work of the Lord etc.Let us make use of the day when the sun shines for night cometh when no man seeth or worketh.God bless u.

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  12. These quotes are building up my life.

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  13. The world reflects back the type of person you are and your perspective of things. Think happy thoughts and be kind to others and the world will smile back at you many times over. Try it!!!

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  14. Your Quotes moves me a step ahead every day i wake up!!
    Thanks for building my mind so richly with strength ,wisdom and Simple approaches to a happy living.

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  15. Your quotes make my day every day. I am grateful to you for such wonderful, meaningful quotes which motivates us always. Thank you so much.

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  16. Thanks for your motivational quotes, very inspiring!

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  17. Your blog gives me reasons to open my email dialy. It is very inspiritional. Thank you and our Lord for giving you this talent.

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  18. Thank you so much for your daily inspirational quotes. It makes my day.

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  19. Thank you Sir Jonathan for the messages of inspirations. Reading your quotes brighten my day.

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