7 Life Changing Keys to Happiness

“True Happiness Is….To Enjoy The Present,Without Anxious Dependence Upon The Future”.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

We are all searching for happiness in some form or the other. Most of the time we are running around in circles to find that one happy moment which stays on, which does not elude us and which we can carry with us throughout our lives. We do come across such moments of Happiness – it is there, but is short lived. Happy one moment and at the next instance, life takes a toll on us and we are back to being our stressed selves. How do we get to be ‘HAPPY’ all the time?
Right from childhood, we were taught that we should be happy at all times. We would be offered chocolates, toys, and all possible things to make us cheerful. But happiness was an on-off affair. Past teens, college, career, marriage, family- our search for this precious long lasting asset is still on.

Believe me, you do not need to search for Happiness all over; it is within you, waiting to be discovered. It is an INTERNAL CHOICE made by a person and practised so consistently that it becomes a habit. Get to understand first that We Have Control Over What We Decide Or The Choices That We Make.
Positive psychologists say that 50% of Happiness is decided by genes, and 10% by circumstances. We still have another 40% within our control. Which means that we still can influence our mind about nearly half of how we should remain happy. The result of this conscious effort to be happy is that our capability to solve problems, our resilience and coping skills are much more efficient at work and our productivity levels rise, than if we were under stress.
Follow the 7 life – changing keys to happiness:

1. Gratitude:
Develop an Attitude of Gratitude. Try to appreciate every small aspect in a days’ happenings – the people around, the surroundings, listing out the good things and taking time and effort to make yourself and others happy.

2. Fix Targets for yourself:
Set achievable targets which are challenging to yourself. Make up your mind to learn one new thing each day. Keep your mind, eyes and ears open for new things to keep yourself updated.

3. Fortitude:
Keep a positive attitude and mindset to bounce back from whatever life throws at you. You are made of tough stuff: you can and you will get back: get that fixed in your mind.

4. Wellness of body and mind:
Look after your body – be fitter, healthier and be sure to include some form of exercise in your daily routine. Insist on having healthy food habits . Get good sleep. Relax for at least half an hour each day doing something you are passionate about. If you do not have any passion, develop one.

5. Widen your Perspectives:
Accept yourself as who you are . Accept people around you. Widen your perspectives. Slowly train your mind to think from the different angles of any given situation. Remember- Choices in life can be made only if we have options.

6. Live in the Present:
Be mindful of the present moment. Be aware of all the happenings around you. Enjoy each moment as it passes by , understanding that it is your life and you will never get back the lost moments.
According to an article in THE BERKELEY SCIENCE REVIEW:
“ Increased focus on the present moment prevents us from spending all our time in the past, ruminating and regretting, or in the future, inventing hypothetical anxiety – provoking scenarios.”

7. Develop Kindness:
Be kind to every living being around you. Strengthen relationships by caring and sharing. Nurture the kindness within you. Your happiness will be double when you do an act of kindness to someone in need, even if it is only a smile!

“Real Generosity Toward The Future Lies In Giving All To The Present.”- Albert Camus.

So Be Present. Be Happy.