What does happiness mean for you?

[ch****]

For me, happiness means accepting that I cant always change the difficulties in life immediately and accepting this. Understanding my limits in life . Allowing changes to occur without fighting against them , but moving with the change.Everything falls into place as destiny is able to move smoothly and generally outcomes are things not to be feared but rejoiced. Accepting my course in life has bought about happiness.

[Jo****]

Hi everyone, 

This is my first post, let alone it being about personal development. 
Up to not so long ago I strongly believed that no one could be truly happy. I felt that we all suffered internally and that we all just put on a public show of happiness and exciting lives (ie. Facebook), which essentially just ignored the lingering cloud of monotony, anger, sadness, injustice... 

After doing plenty of research on setting intentions (or law of attraction), positive thinking and meditation, I felt that I was trying too hard to produce a happiness or excitement that wasn't really me. My attempts fluctuated over the years and I felt that I had nothing to show for it. Still at square one. 

After watching a few videos called Happiness Unlimited (link here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCE9046E85D3918D8), I started to see why I felt so gloomy all these years. It kind of "opened my eyes". The heaviness I felt had to do with my perspective. Ok this was a start.

Logically that made sense, but changing the way I understood my life wasn't something I knew how to do... or even how to start. How do I change to something new without knowing what exactly I'm trying to attain? Happiness? That's elusive and vague.

There is more to the story of how I worked on changing my perspective and being more thankful, and it's something I'd like to share. I'd also love to hear from other people who are experiencing the same thing. I'd love to get your perspective. 

I've started writing a blog to share my "research" and change in understanding of the world. I hope to open up a discussion, and I'd love to get your comments and perspectives on it (link: http://jonathangabizon.com/pages/personal_growth/attaining_happiness.html). It's called Attaining Happiness. 

I hope through these tough times, we all come out stronger in ourselves, and really try to understand what drives us as beings living well with ourselves and other beings. 

Lots of Love!

Jonathan

[Li****]

Welcome to happiness Jonathan, and thank you for sharing! I think a lot of us can relate to your story ?

[cr****]

hi jonathan... i agree with you and what you have shared is very informative. thanks

[li****]

BEWARE OF JEALOUSY
Envy is an obstacle to the unfolding of joy de Vivre. Like a mite that eats into the wood, it reminds us hollow most insidiously. It is said the first-ever act of crime owed its genesis to jealously.

Karen killed his brother Habil and paved the way for a spate of such crimes in the future. When we envy another person’s grace or grandeur or covet their such possessions as we miss, we pan through pangs of jealousy.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK
Granted that nothing in the world happens on its-own-stream, it is imperative that we learn to look to the brighter side of life. We know that two plus two make four. But is this is the be-all and end-all of your wisdom?

And that testifies to the flaws of our perception. Indeed two and two are four, but even one plus three make four. This cerebral flexibility mirrors a healthy and dynamic personality which is your ultimate passport for Happy and prosperous existence.

Quote

Happiness is a direction, not a place.

 

[as****]

Hi friends 

            i think happiness is dirrectly attached with your mind if your mind is in good mood your all body parts reaction will be good

 

[Mi****]

Nice!

Just reading what you have shared, has a calming. Stay Happy. 

[sh****]

Hi all, 

 

I have been travelling the world - Covid hasn't helped  - seeing what makes people happy. As I can't travel anymore it would be great if any of you would like to participate - you need only answer three questions and provide a photo. To see exactly what I mean please check out the below link:

https://www.instagram.com/searchforhapp1ness/

 

Any follows would be greatly appreciated!  

[Li****]

That is such an interesting idea ? Let's hope it won't be too long until you can go back to travelling more again ?

[Gu****]

Time and again people are seeking happiness outside of them.

Always in the pursuit of happiness, from people, things, luxuries, travel, etc.

So where does the real happiness lie? Have you pondered or are you seeking happiness?

Well after lot of dwelling and seeking happiness outside, I finally realized happiness lies within.

So does knowing happiness lies within help us be happy??? What do you think?

Well knowing, believing and actually practicing are 3 different things.

We often know lot of things; that we have learnt from people, books videos, etc.; we believe in things that we have dealt and experienced in the past, but when it comes to practice it daily, well very few do it diligently. 

It's all in the daily practice, that we can experience happiness.

Happiness is the self realization journey from receiving to giving.

From childhood, we keep receiving things, from food, shelter, love, education, luxurious items, etc. from our family/ closed ones. And here forms the pattern of receiving and we feel entitled for all that we have received. But as you move from this phase of young kid, teenager to adult your role switches from receiver to giver.

But how natural is this process of giving? While some may be givers right from their childhood, there are others who seldom move from receiver to giver. It is this pattern of receiving that creates unhappiness and people are often in the pursuit of happiness; not realizing that happiness lies within and when you give be it food, love, time, small or big things, etc. that sense of satisfaction gives immense joy and happiness which you never experience when you are a receiver.

The happiness is momentary and last until you receive something more, little more and more and more. And this thirst of receiving doesn't get quenched with more but increase further.

How how does one move from being a receive to giver

- Rather than waiting for being happy, make others happy;

- Rather than waiting to receive food, make food

- Rather than waiting for appreciation, you appreciate.

Take these steps of kindness each day, to be a happier and joyful you.

So will you take the leap from being a receiver to giver?

 

 

[Li****]

I couldn't agree more! ? It's so true that it is not enough to 'know' something, because in many situations we *know* something is not good or not right, but we don't actually do anything about it. I also definitely believe that being kind, giving, and trying to make others happy will in turn make you happy too. Thank you for sharing ✨

[Gu****]

The act of action, is the first difficult step and once that step is taken it becomes easier to walk and than run!

[Gu****]

This is interesting. Happiness is a topic of interest and I shall definitely read your blog.

Good luck!

[Pe****]

Hi folks,
I will raise the awareness of one, in fact the only one, reason for happiness. Simply put, and this is actually simple: the reason for happiness is love. Of course I mean love from the broadest possible perspective: love for a friend, love for a partner, love for a pet...
If this is difficult to embrace, think of an imaginary situation where you don't feel any love whatsoever. What would make you happy in this situation?
The answer of this question will make you realize:
When you are lost in the emotions of love, you enjoy pure happiness.

In love and light,
Per

[Candy]

How wonderful! ?

[Li****]

Thank you for this, I agree that the feelings of love are directly linked to happiness ? Thanks for sharing! 

[Yvonne]

happiness for me means to be in the flow, connected with myself and others, feeling a sense of purpose.

[Ma****]

Happiness, is being unapologetically me. To walk with both humility and confidence and to embrace the connection with my internal and external existence all whilst inhaling peace and exhaling love.

[Ji****]

For me happiness is a state of mind. Once i decided that I DESERVE to be happy, my mind is always happy :) I keep writing about happiness , how to be happy always. It has become now my nature. Happy to see so many happy souls here. looking forward to learn happiness from each other.

[Ji****]

So true. I find one more reason for happiness is when I show/feel gratitude for everything in my life

[EC****]

To me happiness is feeling comfortable in my own skin and my place in the world.

[Pe****]

I like that this topic has led to a discussion
Well, in my opinion, the emotion of gratitude is also derived from love. I give an example to show my point of view. You might be grateful for owning a new phone that you bought recently. But think about why you appreciate a new mobile device. You might want more stable and clearer video calls with your friends and loved ones. Such video calls are in fact expressions of love. Or you might want to be able to play more resource-intensive games. I actually see gaming as a way of expressing self-love; after all, you appreciate yourself for your skills.
This is almost what I wrote before, but try to think of something that you are grateful for, that doesn't have its roots in love.

Edited October 12, 2020 by Pelle

[Ni****]

For me, happiness is a feeling that is always within me and that accompanies me constantly. Sometimes I hardly feel it or I am blind to it and sometimes it explodes out of me and flows through me from the tips of my hair to my toes. And often without a reason and sometimes because of very small things like a ladybug ? that lands on my nose.

For me, the secret of happiness is to find it inside and let it out. You usually don't find happiness on the street, but in yourself!

[to****]

Wow. First, let me say that reading the different responses is exhilarating. The differences of what "happiness" is - just shows how we are all so different. 

I'll break this down from my perspective. Dare I say, a good cup of coffee...such joy! Lol.

A joyful moment with someone I love (and who shares that love for me) - both intimate, friendship love, human "love", and family love. 

Working toward a purpose-driven outcome. MY FAVORITE. 

Every single day is such a gift. No matter the circumstance or problems in life. My goodness, the opportunity that surrounds all of us is simply magnificent. 

We were BLESSED (not cursed) with the ability to share THOUGHTS and FEELINGS. They are the only 2 things that I am aware of other than the phenomenon of a SPIRITUAL nature that cannot be measured, broken down into atoms and cannot be seen, or touched physically in this world. Yet, most of us treat them with absolute indifference or just a general lack of acknowledgment. 

Happiness - to me - is NEVER an escape from reality. It is my OPPORTUNITY to dial it up whenever I desire. Fortunate for me - that's very much an often occurrence.

By the way, I'm a "Recovering Human" who used to not tap into the TRUE HAPPY REALM as often as possible (if ever really). 

P.S. If COVID19 has you down, no matter the circumstances, think of it this way: Would it be better to whine about it and wallow in despair (about anything) or face it, rise above it, and conquer it (even if death be the result)? If you did, well then I'd say you had a pretty damn good day. Thanks for letting me share.

[to****]

So that link doesn't work and his site is about 5G or something. I think people check in to things without a purpose. We all have our "jerry maguire" moments. lol

If you want happiness to STICK - you need only to pay attention to your experiences on a daily basis. Start there. It's not rocket science. We don't "attain" happiness. We live it.