Would you say you’re generally happy, or unhappy?

Some people view happiness as an ever-elusive state. “I could be happy if only I would (win the lottery… lose a ton of weight… land that big financial windfall…) etc.”

Others believe that happiness is something that someone else hands to you or is responsible for. (“If only my partner would change… then I could be happy!”)

Still others believe that people who profess to be happy must be reality-avoiding Pollyannas. Surely they are living in a fantasy, turning a blind eye to the very real problems they and the world are facing.

One of the greatest discoveries we can make in this lifetime is to recognize that we are each responsible for our own happiness. Happiness is an active personal choice.

It’s true that feeling happy is, to some extent, about looking on the bright side and seeing the good in everything. But there’s more to doing that successfully than you might think. One can still be happy, yet also a realist who acknowledges when things need improvement. Happy people are not oblivious to the fact at some point in their lives, their relationships may not be perfect, their finances aren’t necessarily in an ideal state, and their job doesn’t entirely stimulate them.

The difference is that an unhappy person sees life as a dead-end situation. But a happy person can envision a way out and a light at the end of the tunnel, even when caught in the pits of despair. A happy person will make and carry out a plan to change things… thus ensuring their own continued happiness!

The key to being happy is knowing that you will figure it out – that how you live is a personal choice. YOU are responsible for the future. YOU are the cultivator of your own happiness!

Would you say that you’re happy in your life at the moment? If not… what can you do to shift your mindset and feelings? Here are some inspiring thoughts…

• Start by feeling happy to be YOU. Wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and remember all the good you are and do, every day. Recognize that you are a valued, contributing member of society. Smile, and be happy for a mind full of thoughts, your able body, and your generous heart!

• Practice seeing the positive. Even if you encountered negativity today, be mindful of how it may have resulted in something good. Negative: “I got stuck on hold for 40 minutes waiting for customer service.” Positive: “…but I was finally able to organize my computer and files while I waited!”

• Practice problem-solving for a positive end result. If things don’t go your way, do something to ensure they eventually do. See yourself in the picture and how your actions directly affect the outcome – for good OR bad. Sure, some changes take a long time – but the point is that you ARE making a difference even in the littlest ways… and that is a very happy thing to be aware of.

• Be grateful for what you have… even if you don’t have everything. A good way to get happy is to write in a gratitude journal. Each morning or evening, jot down at least one thing you’re thankful for. On the days when you’re feeling low, you can go back and read, remembering all that brings joy and meaning into your world.

• Know that you are loved. Right now, someone somewhere is thinking about you and feeling happy about something you did or said! Right now, someone is loving you.

Sometimes it takes a while to realize that happiness is all about how we view the world and our role in it. Once this becomes clear to you, you will realize how much power you really do have in your own life. I know it doesn’t always seem that way, but you do… you really do!

YOU, and nobody else, are responsible for your own happiness! What a beautiful, magical thing.

About the Author:

Life Coach Susan Liddy, MA, PCC, CPCC is the founder and CEO of AspireLifeCoaching.org, a life coaching company on a mission to empower women globally. Susan is the author of the “Secrets to Ultimate Living; what you wish you knew when you were 20!” and an active contributor to many blogs, including her own blog, SecretsToUltimateLiving.com.

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