10 Things That Can Make You Happy

10 Things That Can Make You Happy

George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself.”  The same can be said for happiness. Often, we waste our time trying to finding it in other people, material possessions or our circumstances. When in reality, happiness is created on the inside by cultivating the right attitudes.

Researchers have seen time and again those external factors like wealth, comfort and social status are not good predictors of happiness. Think about it, do the people in Hollywood seem like they are happy? They rarely do. They have it all, but they don’t seem happy.

The good news for you is that YOU have the control over your happiness. You can choose. If you want to be happy, then there are some simple, yet effective, things that can make you happy today.

10 Things That Can Make You Happy

In my experience and according to the books I have read, happiness is mostly created within. We are usually too focused on trying to find it externally. In reality, we already have mostly what we need. We just don’t appreciate it in the right way. We are busy looking into things we don’t have and not appreciating the thing we do have.

The suggestions I find for you are designed to help you maximize your happiness no matter what your circumstances. You can be happy and enjoy life more fully right now if you simply embrace these attitudes and use them to change your outlook.

The first five are things that you have to stop doing and the last five are things that you must start doing:

1st things that can make you happy is Stop Being Negative.

Have you ever said, “I’m not going to get my target”? This kind of negative thinking is what makes your life bland and boring. We are too pessimistic and afraid to get excited about the future. So what if things don’t turn out like you planned? At least you can be happy about it for now. You rob yourself of excitement and joy by trying to protect yourself from a letdown that may or may not occur. 

By doing this, you decrease your happiness. There is nothing wrong with getting excited. Embrace it and you will experience more happiness. Remember the saying look at the glass half full or half empty?

2nd things that can make you happy is Stop Unfavorable Comparisons.

It is always possible to find someone with more money, greater achievements and better looks than what you think you have. In the poem Desiderata, one of the lines there is “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter!”. Comparing yourself to others that on the outside seem to have everything is a quick way to destroy your happiness. 

You need to stop going around assuming everyone else is better off than you and making yourself miserable about it. Give yourself proper credit where it is deserved and be happy for what you have. Reward yourself even in small achievements. Remember, there are a lot of people out there that wished they were you! If you do not want what you are eating, think of the persons who don’t have something to eat. If you are sick with your job, think of the unemployed people.

3rd things that can make you happy is Stop Worrying So Much.

We kill our happiness by worrying about everything. Most of what we worry about never happens. Yes, there are a lot of bad things that go on in this crazy world, but you’ve got to focus on what you can control and let go of the rest. Worrying about it doesn’t change anything except it drains you of your happiness. 

If you want to be happier, then you’ve got to learn to stop worrying so much. Instead of worrying, make a plan for how you would react if the worst did happen. After you have the plan, then set the whole matter aside and trust your plan. Let go and let GOD! 

4th things that can make you happy is Stop Being So Easily Offended.

Oh my gosh, people are so easily upset by others nowadays. It is like we are just waiting for someone to do something that ticks us off. We set ourselves up for unhappiness by thinking people should treat us fairly and according to our expectations. Didn’t anyone ever tell you, “Life is not fair”? Stop being so easily offended. 

It doesn’t hurt anyone but you. No one else cares that you are upset. These things you get so worked up about are usually just misunderstandings. They aren’t personal. Be happier by letting things slide off your back. 

5th things that can make you happy is Stop Living for Tomorrow.

Stop thinking you’ll be happy when you get a different job or earn a little more money or get married or start your own business or finish this project or whatsoever. Be happy today in the present moment with what you have and where you are now. 

Who knows what tomorrow holds? You’ll miss your whole life if you keep waiting on something else in order to be happy. Happiness is really a choice. You’ve got to choose to embrace where you are now to maximize your happiness. Appreciate today for tomorrow will become today!

6th things that can make you happy is Start Finding the Good.

So much of our culture seems to be focused on finding the bad in others and in every situation. We are hungry for the next scandal. However, you’ll be happier if you simply start looking for the good. Actively seek out the good in those around you and in your life. Make it a habit to ask yourself, “What three good things happened to me today?” 

Keep your mind focused on the good and it will increase your sense of well-being. This will give you a boost in happiness. As Harv Eker said, what you focus on, it will expand. So if you hate the nose of your officemate, why not try to look on her ears or lips instead?

7th things that can make you happy is Start Practicing Gratefulness.

None of us are perfect at being grateful. However, the more you practice it, the better you’ll get at it. Recognizing what you have to be thankful for and truly appreciating your blessings is a learned habit. One that many of us have ignored for far too long. We were never properly trained to pay attention to the so-called little things that make life comfortable and enjoyable. 

For example, that hot shower in the morning or the peacefulness of a warm summer evening. Getting really good at being grateful is probably one of the most powerful things you can do to increase your happiness. Being grateful is a hard task but for others, this is one of the secrets to attract abundant future for you. Let us be grateful.

8th things that can make you happy is Start Realizing You Have Choices.

Feeling like you have control over your life is a big factor in being happy. The liberty to pursue what makes us happy is one of the founding principles of our country. However, a lot of people go around thinking they are stuck. You may not be able to change all your circumstances, but again the external conditions of your life are a small piece of the happiness puzzle. 

You still have the power to choose your attitude toward what goes on around you. Realizing this is your choice to make is a huge leap in the right direction. Choose to be happy and you will be. Happiness is a choice right? It is mostly about attitude. Attitude = altitude.

9th things that can make you happy is Start Planning Happiness Activities.

What little things can you do to make yourself happy? It can be the tiniest thing. For example, lately, I’ve been intentionally giving myself time to play games on my desktop. It may sound silly, but I enjoy it. Identifying these little activities that you can allot time for in your day will help to boost your happiness. You just need to find the ones that work for you and make it a point to do them regularly.

10th things that can make you happy is Start Helping Someone Less Fortunate.

We become happy when we have a purpose to commit ourselves to and when we see clearly our favored position in life. Helping others in need serves both of these purposes. It gives your life meaningful and it helps you to see just how fortunate you truly are. It will help you to earn and grow more to help more.

Also, it will make you reflect to how fortunate you are, thus, making you more grateful in life. There are tons of opportunities to get involved and make a difference in someone else’s life. If you step out in this area, you won’t regret it. In fact, I think you’ll be amazed at how quickly it makes you feel happy. Give more to receive more.

Be Happy Right Where You Are

I sincerely hope that you will use at least one or all of the things that can make you happy mention above to create more happiness in your life. Stop looking outside yourself trying to find it and instead concentrate on getting your attitudes right. 

You can squeeze quite a bit of enjoyment out of just about any situation if you approach it correctly. The things that can make you happy mention above will get you started down the right path to greater happiness.

What things make you happy? Do you even know? If so, then please leave me a comment and share it with the rest of us. It might help to make someone else happy.