Happiness is the Way

Do you think you are a happy person?

Let’s be honest…

If you were, you would not have been reading this article in the first place!

There are a lot of people out there that think happiness is a direct result of having a lot of money, or a great job position; as you have definitely heard the typical statement that “money does not necessarily buy happiness!” However, this is not 100 percent true. If you actually use your money correctly, it can bring happiness not only for you, but for a number of people.

Happiness is basically an active or passive state of pleasure; a feeling of joy which can be due to a pleasurable situation or sometimes regardless of the surrounding environment. In its higher manifestation, happiness may be experienced as bliss, or contentment that is normally the result of being desireless although every wish may not have been fulfilled yet.

Some believe that happiness is a state of mind, thus happy people even in difficult situations like losing a job, a relationship and so on can still remain happy.

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

From an energetic point of view, happiness is achievable by activating the Heart Energy Center or Heart Chakra that is the center for higher emotions, while sadness and sorrow normally lodge in the Solar Plexus Chakra. In Modern time, stress has become a non-separable part of life, which leads to absenteeism and depression in long run; life’s challenges, late-hour works and the urge to earn more has created a situation where people are lonelier and emotionally weaker compared to the pre-industrial age. Happier life was basically the result of extended families, more social interactions, less competitions and stress-free life.

So How to be Happier?!

Although the situation where we are living might be difficult to change, shifting our perspective to a more positive one might create happiness. There are a number of ways that can help us become happier than ever before.

1. Make other people happy

“It is in giving that we receive.”

This statement is based on the “Law of Cause and Effect” and is universal. If you want happiness in life, make other people happy! There are many simple ways of doing this; with a small gift, a hug or a smile, by appreciating someone, being helpful and warm. Although it sounds simple, it is the most effective way of achieving happiness. You cannot be happy if you are not entitled to! Plant the seeds of happiness, and happiness will overflow.

2. Learn to Let Go

Normally we feel stressful, anxious or frustrated because of attachment to a particular idea, habit or situation. One of the things that we need to let go is the unrealistic expectation that things will remain the same. In Buddhism change is known as a part of life.

“According to the Law of Cycle, everything is subject to change. Nothing lasts forever.”

Master Choa Kok Sui

Another thing to let go is the “excessive desire to control.” It is often suggested in inner teachings that one must be able to let go and flow like water. Excessive desire to control the situations, people and happenings only bring frustration and disappointment. Accept life, as it is, a journey full of happiness and at the same time full of lessons.

“Everything is a gift of the universe; even joy, anger, jealously, frustration, or separateness. Everything is perfect either for our growth or our enjoyment.”

Ken Keyes Jr.

3. Be grateful

One of the fastest things that can make a terrible situation to a happy one is being grateful for what you have. Instead of over-expecting, take some time admiring, praising and being grateful for what you have and people who love you.

“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you.”

Lao Tzu

It is believed that things that we take for grated or waste, will be taken away from us, which later bring regret. So being grateful is one of the significant factors in achieving happiness.

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

Frederick Keonig

5. Accept others as they are

Everyone is evolving; and mistakes are part of evolution. As we expect others to forgive us when we make a mistake, we need to accept other people’s mistakes as well. Judgment and excessive criticism must be avoided.

“You cannot judge what should bring others joy, and others cannot judge what should bring you joy.”

Alan Cohen

In order to attain happiness, you should not expect too much from yourself and others. Accept the fact that we are all human beings and we all make mistakes; mistakes are part of evolution, and no one is perfect. So let go of anger and resentment towards other people and more importantly towards yourself. Guilt is a path to unhappiness. Learn to forgive and free yourself from negative thoughts and emotions.

6. Take regular emotional breaks

Do not let your life make you overwhelmed. It is necessary to take regular emotional breaks. Sometimes you are very busy doing everything and you are too focused that you tend to loose the bigger picture and the very first purpose of doing it. Sometimes the speed of life is so high that we loose the opportunities to enjoy it. Sometimes it is better to slow down, take a break and enjoy life.

7. Do something about what makes you unhappy

If you do not like what you are doing, change it!

“Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.”

Frank Tyger

You must like your life in order to be happy. No one can force you to do what you do not want to. Don’t ever live a life of others; discover your passion and have the courage to follow it. No one has ever become successful by doing an ordinary job which doesn’t make them happy, doesn’t transcend their soul and for which they don’t care.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

Albert Schweitzer

8. Live a purposeful life

If your life is composed of haphazard happenings and situations you will never feel happiness for achieving a goal or accomplishing a plan. Have a plan for your life, make long-term and short-term goals and move with strategy to achieve them. Once you set your life to achieve an objective, be one-pointed; don’t get distracted by other people’s desires.

“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

By focusing on the moment, and using it wisely, we can create happiness. There is a saying that “if all the doors are closed to you make a new door.” Now is our only investment. Yesterday has past and future is only a dream. Now is an opportunity that if used correctly can create a better future. If you worry too much about the future, you will miss the todays’ chance of being happy.

10. Remain positive

First of all, happiness is a choice. The lens that you choose to view the happenings, determines how you will interpret them.

“Whether or not you have a better life depends on you. It depends on your attitude.”

Master Choa Kok Sui

In the midst of a difficult situation or crisis, you have the choice of letting go to unregulated chaotic emotions that doesn’t make the situation any better, or remain calm and think how to overcome the problem.

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Abraham Lincoln

Another way to remain positive is not to go out with pessimistic people, not to watch sad movies, photos or news and not to read sad novels, stories and messages. Sadness is basically a type of energy that can be transferred from a person or place to you. Like quality attracts like quality.

“Do not wallow emotionally in rumors, crises and manipulative schemes. The key is to Spiritually Transcend!”

Master Choa Kok Sui

As loving-kindness attracts living-kindness, anger, hatred and sadness attract unwanted emotions and situations. So as much as possible minimize being with negative people, watching depressing news or watching horror movies.

11. Do volunteer work and give tithing

Normally service to community will create happiness, as helping the fellow men will activate the human Heart Chakra that is the center for happiness. Often when we have a problem, we think the whole world is on our shoulders. When you start to go out and help other people, not only you notice that your problem is basically so small compared to others, but also you will develop love, compassion and caring which all help develop your Heart Chakra; as a result you will find yourself happier.

Based on a Chinese proverb, “If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”

Tithing is basically a way to neutralize the negative Karma or debts of the past. It is believed to bring happiness and good luck. By giving wisely, you will be entitled to receive!

12. Meditate

Certain meditations such as the Meditation on Twin Hearts are designed in such a way that they develop Heart and Crown Chakras through blessing the entire earth with Loving-kindness. As a matter of becoming a channel for blessing the entire earth and every person, every being occupying the earth with Loving-kindness, you will be purified from sadness and sorrow, your Heart chakra gets developed and you will find more peace, joy and happiness in life. Meditation will further transcend your consciousness up, so that the dirt cannot touch you as a soul.

14. Take care of your relationships

Human beings are basically made in groups. Among our family, friends and co-workers we are normally happy. Being alone leads to a feeling of loneliness and depression. By being with other people, by loving other people and being loved we find happiness. Sometimes we are so busy doing work that we often forget our family members and friends, which in long run can make a person psychologically imbalanced.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Marcel Proust

Work on improving your relationships. Do not take your loved-ones for granted. Activities are often fun when being done in a group.

15. Develop patience

Normally the problems in life come like a hurricane and go after a while. The best way is to stay calm and detached. The storm will exhaust itself; after the storm there will be calmness and peace.

“After the storm comes the stillness. After the heavy rain, there is growth. After the unpleasant changes, there will be Greater Activity, Greater Success.”

Master Choa Kok Sui

Problems normally happen in life to make us stronger and more compassionate. If you look at life with a more positive attitude and greater patience, life will be happier.

Stay happy and radiate happiness to the people around you…

References

1. Harris, B. (n.d.). 9 Principles for Happiness and Healing. Retrieved from Trans4mind: http://www.trans4mind.com/holosync/principle1.html
2. Myers, D. G. (1992). The Secrets of Happiness. Retrieved from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200910/the-secrets-happiness
3. Happiness. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dictionary: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happiness
4. Edberg, H. (n.d.). How to Find Happiness. Retrieved from The Positivity Blog: http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/09/26/how-to-find-happiness/
5. Master choa Kok Sui. (2004). Compassionate Objectivity; The Golden Lotus Sutras on Character Building. Institute for Inner Studies Publishing Foundation.
6. Master Choa Kok Sui. (2004). Experiencing Being; The Golden Lotus Sutras on Life. Institute for Inner Studies Publishing Foundation.