I think the majority of us in this world want to be happy, whether we know it or not. At times it can be easier said than done with all that life brings us and we can forget how to just be simply happy. They say the goal behind every goal is happiness. I would agree with that. When we choose to be happy, our life just flows and that happiness can have a positive affect on everybody that we meet. When we are not happy however, that affects everybody too.
I think Esther Hicks from her book “Ask and it is given” has a great quote about happiness;
“The greatest gift that you could ever give to another is your own happiness, for when you are in a state of joy, happiness, or appreciation, you are fully connected to the Stream of pure, positive Source Energy that is truly who you are. And when you are in that state of connection, anything or anyone that you are holding as your object of attention benefits from your attention.”
From my own experience, here are some ways I have found useful in helping me to achieve happiness in my life;
Stop Comparing
Many of us can compare ourselves, our lives, our possessions, our jobs, our money etc. to other people around us. We can compare ourselves to what is being portrayed on the media as the perfect life and feel that we are not good enough as a result. We may even compare where our lives are now to where we were.
When somebody has a so called better house, car, job it doesn’t mean that they are more happier. Some of the happiest people I have met are people who have very little. Happiness doesn’t come from the outer things as we are brainwashed to believe, it is an inside job.
When we compare ourselves to something or somebody outside ourselves, we are essentially not loving or accepting ourselves. We can never know what another person’s journey is. The first step is to start to love and accept yourself exactly as you are and where you are.
Be present
If we are living our lives in the past or in the future, it is practically impossible to be in the here and now, where all happiness exists. When we choose to be present, we allow ourselves to be happy. We all have things that we regret and that we would like to change about the past. There are certain things or ways that we would like our future life to be, however the only moment we ever have is now.
We can live our lives attached the story of our past however it is our choice if we really want to be happy now and choose to let go of the past. It’s important to plan for the future but still be present on what you are engaging with right now, knowing that it is moving you in the direction of where you want to be.
The key in my experience to being present is to become aware of when I am not present. Also engaging in activities that I enjoy has also helped me to become more present.
Let go of expectations
If we have expectations of people, jobs, places etc. to be a certain way for us to be happy then we are allowing our happiness to be dependent on something outside of ourselves. We are attached to something for our happiness.
I can see in my own life that at times I allowed my happiness to be determined by how successful I was in my job, if I had great relationship with somebody I love etc. Sometimes when I was not successful in these areas, I experienced unhappiness.
What I have found helpful was to go for what I want, do the best I can and let go of the expectation for the result to be a certain way. I am in India at the moment and before I came I decided to let go of any expectations of India to be a certain way. I have found this approach very useful in having a happier experience here.
Be true to yourself
A quote I heard a while ago is;
” To be yourself in a world that is trying night and day to make you like everybody else, is probably the greatest battle there is to fight”
At times it can be hard for us to be ourselves and we need great courage and strength to be true to ourselves.
In my experience when I wasn’t true to myself, I have found that I experienced unhappiness in myself. In my last job I felt that I wasn’t been true to myself and that I was compromising my happiness because of a wage check at the end of the week.
As I mentioned earlier I am currently in India. It has been a long time dream of mine to travel India and embrace the culture here. I really do feel that I am being true to myself while I am traveling India at the moment.
To be true to yourself, live life based on your own approval and acceptance. Learn to listen and trust your heart and just go for what you want. Ask yourself what makes my heart sing?
Be Grateful
When we are in the mode of blaming and complaining we are not in a place of gratitude. We are essentially focusing on the negative and usually creating more of that in our lives.
Having being in India for a little under a week, I see people who could have a real reason to complain. There is a significant amount people who are actually sleeping on the streets here, sometimes it can be whole families. Other times I have seen people who have no legs or arms and are homeless on the street here as well. India is teaching me that I have so much to be grateful for.
Being grateful for where we are right now is definately a key to happiness. We have so much to be grateful for such as our health, our job, our house, our family, our friends etc. Being grateful is not just about saying it but it is about really feeling and believing it.
Well as always I would love to hear any feedback, comments or words of
wisdom you may have…
Namaste.
TW
tari brand said:
Reblogged this on Celebration of Now.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Morgan said:
So Lovely 🙂 Happy Valentines Day!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Same to you. Namaste. TW
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lruthnum said:
The quote in the Be True to yourself section is so true. This is such a wise post, I can’t disagree with any of these points at all!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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TenaciousM said:
Great message. Thanks!
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are welcome. Namaste. TW
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Ian Gardner said:
In Reality “happiness” is a state of mind not a state of being. That indescribable state, which I once called “blisstasy”, is our ultimate destiny, targeted or not.
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The Truth Warrior said:
This is true. True happiness is not dependant on outside circumstances. Namaste. TW
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duppyconqueror11 said:
Reblogged this on Wandering Through The Universe and commented:
Another wonderful post. Wanted to share it.
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zooeyibz said:
Don’t compare… don’t compare… So important and so difficult! One thing that made helped change my thinking was consciously redefining my view of “success”. It is so easy to accept the standard definition — money, car, good looks, etc. The first thing to do to get off that merry-go-round is to think about what we want for ourselves, and then work towards that instead of someone else’s idea of what a good life looks like!
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The Truth Warrior said:
So true what you have said. I really like what you said in regards to defining your own measure of success. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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jbertolus said:
Love this! well said. Be well and enjoy India!
XoxJanet
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Tina Del Buono, PMAC said:
Love the post especially the part of being true to yourself!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks Tina 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Life Is Not For Everyone said:
Reblogged this on Life is not for everyone. .
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sueslaght said:
Wonderful post and lovely photo.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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kellie@writingmoment said:
Great tips, thanks! India…wow! Enjoy. Love your comment about compromising happiness for pay…I think I do that, working on changing it though 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Best of luck with your journey. Namaste. TW
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greenmackenzie said:
What lovely wise words….to come to peace within ourselves and to find happiness there is the first step on the road to happiness in the outer world.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for your kind words 🙂 Namaste. TW
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My Pursuit of Perfection said:
great timely advise..thanks. 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are welcome 🙂 Namaste. TW
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The Edge said:
Reblogged this on The Edge.
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authormbeyer said:
The poet Theodore Roethke said, “Being, not doing, is my first love.” He means the same things that you have so eloquently noted about being present in the world and living without expectations. This is my salute to a fellow be-er, not do-er.
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The Truth Warrior said:
I really love that quote. Thanks so much for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Emma Sarah Tennant said:
What a great post, thanks for sharing.
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are very welcome 🙂 Namaste. TW
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haridasgowra said:
I like this blog………..
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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ramakrishnan6002 said:
Reblogged this on Gr8fullsoul.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog. Namaste. TW
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gweneegrace said:
Reblogged this on Not Sweating The Small Stuff and commented:
There is no secret to happiness really. The truth is staring at us all along. Though sometimes you have to be reminded of it. Just like this beautiful post… Namaste!
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog. Namaste. TW
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gweneegrace said:
You are welcome! And thank you for inspiring us with your great posts. Namaste! 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
Your are very welcome 🙂 Namaste. TW
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jacksjottings said:
We do seek (I avoid the idea of want) Happiness.
Your title immediately prompted me to read your post.
I was not disappointed it is a very worth while post.
I have not read Ester’s book but gives me good season to.
Thank you for your guidance. _/\_
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Namaste. TW
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jacksjottings said:
Esters quote is so goog.
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The Truth Warrior said:
🙂
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jacksjottings said:
I am making some typos today.
First I leave out the word quote.
Then my fix fails no goog not good.
I hope you can laugh at this and not think I am an egg-head.(googy-egg head)
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The Truth Warrior said:
Lol 🙂 Thanks for sharing…TW
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jacksjottings said:
Thanks for responding with a smile. _/\_
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The Truth Warrior said:
🙂 TW
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50djohnson said:
These 5 are So true!! I think you could add one more… Have a sense of humor! If you can’t laugh at yourself or the traits and mistakes of others, you are no fun to be with or even to be around and will wind up sad and alone.
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The Truth Warrior said:
I totally agree. Laughter is definately the best medicine. Namaste. TW
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rachealizations said:
What a wonderful gift to see your blog! I look forward to reading more, as I am beginning my own conscious journey. Namaste.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thank you so much 🙂 Best of luck on your journey. Namaste. TW
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inspiretheworld2day said:
I couldn’t agree more! Awesome post
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 Namaste. TW
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humanembodiment said:
This is an incredible insight into how important it is to be truly happy, and as you say, the greatest gift to another is your own happiness and comfort in the present circumstances. So often we look outside of ourselves to find that happiness when all along it is there within us. 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
So true what you said. Thanks so much for sharing. Namaste. TW
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humanembodiment said:
Namaste, much love to you Truth Warrior.
Rich
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thank you 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Georgina Cromarty said:
Reblogged this on Stepping out of pain and commented:
Nice post, and lessons we can all learn from 🙂
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks do much for the reblog. Namaste. TW
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lovely post! All points are great.
You reminded me of a Chinese story: somebody told a Tao Te Ching teacher “I want happiness”. The teacher replied “Take out the ‘I’ because it implies selfishness; take out the ‘want’ because it implies expectation. You are left with happiness!
I often repeat this story to friends and myself.
As for the grateful part, I’m really a strong believer! Thank you for a beautiful post/
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The Truth Warrior said:
I really love what you said about happiness. Thanks so much for sharing. Namaste. TW
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Sherri Of Palm Springs said:
Wonderful blog, appreciate the writing..
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are very welcome 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Willie Cloete said:
Reblogged this on YOGA PRANAM.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Umair Raheel said:
Simple known points explained beautifully. Thank you.
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are welcome 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Umair Raheel said:
Reblogged this on Urban Spirituality and commented:
Simple Known Points Explained Beautifully.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog! Namaste. TW
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alohaleya said:
thank you for this post, i needed these reminders today! and i love the esther hicks quote too. i saw abraham live a few months ago, so amazing. 🙂 namaste, aleya
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The Truth Warrior said:
Hi Aleya! Im glad you enjoyed them. Yes Abraham is great! Namaste. TW
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unclemanifester said:
Reblogged this on unclemanifester.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks for the reblog 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Noelene said:
Thank you for sharing. It is so encouraging to hear of people actually ‘living’ their dreams as you are in India. Take care.
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thank you so much for your kind and inspiring comment 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Russel Ray Photos said:
My top secret to happiness would be to follow those railroad tracks to wherever they might lead………………LOL
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The Truth Warrior said:
I like it:) Namaste. TW
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quirkybooks said:
What about expectations in regards to a potential relationship? Don’t we have to have standards and ways of behaviour that we expect, to be happy? Why accept second best? Surely it’s better to have high expectations and weed out the unworthy ones?
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The Truth Warrior said:
I agree completely! The more we choose to make happiness a priority, the less we allow / tolerate situations or people who do not honor that. Thanks for sharing. Namaste. TW
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quirkybooks said:
Glad you agree. I think it’s good to turf out the unworthy ones, to leave the door open for more worthy ones to come through.
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The Truth Warrior said:
So true 🙂 Namaste. TW
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Marty said:
Very nice
What is happy though? Where is it and how do we pursue it.
Happy only exists in this moment and it does not inhabit desire or needs or in the fulfillment of those needs.
Robin Williams had everything but peace,of mind, self worth
Impermanent things like thought and emotion are not good substitutes for happy either, my opinion.
How does a person carry happy with them?
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The Truth Warrior said:
Thanks 🙂 For me happiness is a state of being! In my experience, happiness is a feeling inside which can be something like joy, peace…real happiness is not dependent on outside circumstances…Namaste. TW
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Jean Reinhardt said:
The two things in your post that I most identify with, is to be grateful and to be present. Mindfulness and gratitude should be taught in schools, I think it would be of great benefit to teenagers who may struggle through adolescence. Thanks for visiting my blog, yours is really interesting and inspiring. Nice to meet you.
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The Truth Warrior said:
I totally agree that it should be taught in schools. I believe it would certainly help in regards to teenagers struggles. Thanks. Namaste. TW
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cherylfoston said:
I am enjoy blog! I also want to thank you, for reading my blog and the following.
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The Truth Warrior said:
You are very welcome 🙂 Thanks. Namaste. TW
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