What makes you feel happiest? Breaking Down Happiness
What makes you feel happiest?
What gives you most joy and what makes you feel happiest out of the following:
Spending time with your family or partying with friends?
Or, helping other people?
Perhaps, sleeping for long hours?
Or, simply being with yourself?
I won’t be biased by restricting happiness to just one thing because people have varied perceptions about happiness, i.e., it is different for different people. There are times when people have their happiest moments and there are times when happiness comes to them unexpectedly.
I feel a person is the happiest when they feel like they are on the seventh cloud, and there might be a number of occasions which might make them feel this way. As they say, “Time is relative”, I feel that happiness is also relative. A person cannot name one single instance when he/she was happy.
Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.
Dalai Lama, Author of The Art of Happiness
Happiness can be both short-lasting and long-lasting. Let us see how:
Short Term Happiness
1. CHOOSE COMPANIONSHIP
It is observed that people who spend more time with their loved ones tend to be happier than those who wish to spend time in isolation, as spending time in isolation exacerbates feelings of insecurity and loneliness. Though, it is difficult to find good friends, and then those good people who possess all the virtues of a good friend.
What should one expect from a good friend? I think he/she must be trustworthy, considerate, sympathetic, and, above all, a person of high moral character – one who keeps their promise at any cost and, rather than judging you, believes in accepting you as you are. Recall those endless conversations, embarrassing situations, and epic trips that you have had with those whom you chose to be your close ones.
Related Reads: In Loving Memory
2. MAKE TIME FOR LEISURE
You need to learn the value of leisure and pursue some good hobbies to keep your mind busy in healthy and entertaining pursuits. What can be a hobby? It can be anything from stamp collection to reading books to gardening, largely depending upon people’s preferences.
You must always take breaks from your busy schedule for leisurely activities, as engaging yourself in activities that you love. It is ultimately the best way to be at peace inside and out. It helps you feel relaxed and refreshed. It will keep you away from developing bad habits. Moreover, it also helps you to forget the pain and loneliness in life.
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3. LIVE IN THE PRESENT
It’s important for people to understand the importance of living in the present by letting go of the past and not waiting in awe, for the future. You must try to find happiness in the moment that you are living. You should focus on what you are doing at the moment, as it will make you happier than those people who brood over the past or get tensed about the future.
Rather than pointing out negativity in everything happening around you, you must inculcate a habit of accepting things in whatever way they are. A feeling of acceptance will give you more pleasure and happiness in life.
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future;
Jim Rohn, Author of 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness
It is something you design for the present.
Related Read: Mindfulness
Long Term Happiness
1. EXPLORE NEW THINGS
Each day is a new experience, not just for me but I think, for everyone. Every day brings new challenges and new learnings. It provides you with important personal insights into the world that broadens your concepts and horizons.
You may try a new activity, attend a different event, or eat new foods that will make your life exciting and fulfilling. Your life will take a different and eventually a better turn that way.
Happiness is the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.
Sonja Lyubomirsky in The How of Happiness
Related Read: The Inspiring Wanderer
2. BE CONSIDERATE TO OTHERS
Being considerate is to show care and concern for others. You must not just think about yourself but also about others’ feelings.
You all might have heard this old adage – ‘whatever you give, you get’ which means the way you treat other people, in the same way they will treat you. So, you must start treating them decently and with respect if you wish the same. This selfless quality of yours will help you build a connection with people around you. Trust me; this will make you feel satisfied from within.
Related Read: Purposeful Service
3. MAKE DECISIONS JUDICIOUSLY
You must develop a good sense of judging things and then taking decisions accordingly. Rather than taking a decision in haste, you must analyze it properly by using a variety of tools and techniques. You must identify and assess all aspects of the decision before taking the final step.
Good decisions will create a feeling of control over life. Long term decisions will definitely affect your happiness in the future. So, it’s better if you take those decisions wisely by examining and considering all the possibilities that may be there as a consequence of your actions.
The happiness project is about being intentional about action.
Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project
It’s about choosing to do things that will create happiness.
Related Read: Saying YES to Life, Locus of Control
About The Author
Maitri Surana has completed her schooling at Amity International School, and is currently pursuing B.Com(H) from the University of Delhi.
She is also working as a Junior Consultant at 180 Degrees Consulting and is a Junior Executive at the Placement Cell of her college.
On a lighter note, one can find her expressing creativity through art, exploring different places, watching cricket, or writing her diary.
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Good Read.