What are the secrets to happiness? Self-awareness, having a purpose and connecting with others are among the keys to contentment
- Being helpful to others, living in the present and practising gratitude are among the ways to find happiness
- Constantly thinking things can or should be different prevents us from being grateful for what we have
Most of us want to be happy, but how? We wish there was a magic spell or an easy “solution” that would ensure happiness, but there isn’t.
Part of the problem lies in the way we define happiness. Instead of defining happiness as a feeling of contentment, many of us confuse happiness with a permanently elevated mood (excitement, joy) or even an endless supply of positivity.
This is an unrealistic expectation; with such a definition everyone will struggle to be “happy”.
But being happy is not about having an attitude adjustment or forcing positive emotions while suppressing, ignoring or avoiding negative ones.
Rather, it’s about directing our energy and choosing an approach to our existence that can offer us a sense of fulfilment.
Happiness comes from being self-aware, taking responsibility, making decisions, doing something meaningful, and connecting with ourselves and others.