When you discover true happiness you will find that you are wealthier beyond the dreams of kings

Real happiness means living a life of deep meaning and pure satisfaction.

“ 5 Essentials of Happiness that Lasts “ 

1. What in the world is happiness and how do I get it?

Happiness is a process that anyone can learn and follow.

When you trust the process you will see results. What is most important is that you absolutely CAN become happier regardless of where you are today.

Create your own positive reality.

In order to create your own positive reality, you must train your brain to focus on your strengths, your values and what works well in your life. When you do this, the neuro pathways in your brain physically change. Once the positive channels in your brain become thicker, focusing on the positive will become a habit which in turn helps you become happier.

Think of your brain like a flashlight: Shine it on WHAT works.

WHAT TO DO:

Every evening: Think back on your day and write about or share with a loved one the best part of your day, ask your loved one to do the same.

For example: Take time to reflect during dinner every evening.

HAPPINESS CAN BE LEARNED. Create your own reality.

2. Learn the art of reframing.

Reframing helps to strengthen the positive neuro-pathways in your brain and weaken the negative ones.

The way you experience your life is not through the situation itself but rather your own interpretation of the situation. Every event could have hundreds of different interpretations. In most cases you tend to select one interpretation, and this one is what ends up affecting your thoughts, your actions and most importantly the way you feel.

WHAT TO DO:

When you feel pain about an event due to your interpretation, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What aspects might I have overlooked?

2. What would I tell my best friend if they were in a similar situation?

3. What valuable lesson have I learned from this experience that will move me in a more positive direction?

4. How will this impact my life 5 years from now?

5. How can I breakdown the big problem into 4 smaller ones?

HAPPINESS CAN BE LEARNED: Creating new Neuro-Pathways in your brain will create new healthy habits.

3. Use a PRIMING mind-set.

Priming is a positive proactive tool to increase your happiness and well-being.

You are primed continually in every minute of your life. When you are exposed to a stimulus, your future behavior will be influenced without being aware of the guiding influence.

WHAT TO DO:

Create a positive environment around you by surrounding yourself with the following:

– Pictures of memorable moments

– Objects that hold meaning to you

– Inspirational Quotes

– Books that interest you

– Uplifting music

HAPPINESS CAN BE LEARNED: Create an environment that will prime you for positive interactions and actions.

4 Find meaning!

Victor E. Frankl, Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, as well as a Holocaust survivor, stated that, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” We have the freedom to choose how to react to ANY situation.

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ― Viktor E. Frankl

WHAT TO DO:

Look inward. Appreciate your inner core and all that?

A few ways you can find true meaning in everyday moments:

1. Create a simple task for yourself that brings you pleasure and strive to accomplish it.

2. Allow yourself to experience THIS moment fully. Open your heart and feel gratitude towards someone and/or something special in your life.

3. Look inward during stressful times. Appreciate your inner core and adopt the mentality that you have control over your attitude in any situation.

HAPPINESS CAN BE LEARNED: Finding true meaning in your life can unleash your mind-set and set you on a journey of true happiness.

5. Live life through your strengths.

A life lived through our strengths propels us forward. We can train our brains for positive outcomes by USING our strengths. Be honest and think about what makes YOU the unapologetic YOU the world needs. Everyone has strengths!

WHAT TO DO:

Identify your strengths:

1. Think about times in the past when you felt at your best. What strengths of yours helped make it so?

2. Ask others who are close to you where they feel your strengths lie. (You may be surprised)

3. Think about times when you focus on your tasks and you lose track of time.

Happiness can be learned: “Strengths do more than perform, they transform”