The Art of Being Happy...

What is the secret to happiness? Is it love? Is it financial security? Do the circumstances of your life define your happiness? Can you have happiness when your life is not going the way you planned, or even not going well at all? I think so...

I think happiness comes from within. I think the source of happiness is different for everyone. No matter what makes you happy, or where you get the drive to smile and laugh through life- it all comes from deep inside everyone. It's not just money, love, or family that makes someone happy. If that were true there wouldn't be so many antidepressants on the market today. 

I think that all of these medications have given the impression that people cannot be happy without them. I am speaking from experience here. As I grew older, and my life began to get more difficult, I was finding it harder and harder to be happy about life. I began to seek happiness through prescription medication. I went through a few years of taking several antidepressants with horrible side affects. I gained a lot of weight, had nightmares, and even got MORE depressed while trying to find just the right pill. Well, after several tries I decided to take a more natural path. I did so through being a mother- my daughter found joy and excitement in the simple things. I figured out the secret while watching her find so much joy in drawing pictures on the driveway, playing dress up, dancing to music, and playing tea-party with her stuffed animals.

 It was all in my mind. I knew that if I looked at life a certain way that I could find the beauty in it- and I did! So many things in this life are beautiful, and focusing on the beautiful things every day can really help make you a happier person. 

1) The people you love can really help to make you a happier person. Friends and family are what makes things more enjoyable. Nurturing those relationships in a positive way is very important. Spend your time with them wisely. Laugh and play as much as you can. When you are feeling down, take a break with someone and remind yourself what you have to be happy about! Take your family on a drive through town, or take a walk in your neighborhood. A few minutes of redirection can make a huge difference in your relationship.

 2) Read a good book. Sometimes life can get too stressful and an escape is needed. With the economy in such a terrible state it is impossible for many of us to escape to the Bahamas. That doesn't mean you can't get away for a few hours! A good book can take you anywhere- even out of this world! 

3) Listen to music. Music can make all the difference when you've had a stressful day. It has been proven that music has instant and long-term effects on the brain and the body. A sad tune can release much-needed tears and emotions that may be blocking your ability to cope with unrelated stress. Music can inspire a person to dance, which can only be good for your body! So, go ahead- rock out!

4) Create something! Human beings have an innate desire to create. From early man cave drawings to the art you see today- humans have created wonderful things. There are so many ways you can create. You can paint, draw, sculpt, craft, write, act, or make music. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment that you get after completing a project. There are other wonderful effects as well. the body always wants to be moving and working, the mind will always be thinking and if you do not spend your time creating- your mind will dwell on the negative thoughts. Also, you can use your life experience while creating which can be very cleansing. Most of the time you will not even realize that your brain is purging itself- replacing negative thoughts with creative thoughts. Your mind doesn't have time to think about being unhappy. 

5) Try something new! Sometimes life can be mundane. This is often the root of unhappiness. Humans love routine, but we also thrive on new experiences. Instead of taking your normal route to work, try a new way! Try a new recipe for dinner. Learn a new skill. Take up a new hobby. Sometimes doing things a little differently is all we need to make a boring day a little more exciting. 

6) Help others! Sometimes seeing the needs of others, and helping to fill the need, can boost your own happiness. Even if your own need is great, helping your community will give you a purpose. Humans are always in search of the meaning of life. I think being a part of a community means helping others.You may even find a way to improve your own circumstances simply by being an active part of your community. There are many ways you can help. Just visit a neighbor that lives alone, donate food to your local church pantry, volunteer your time at a nursing home, lead a scout troop, or volunteer to be a little league coach. Many of these things can help you by boosting your moral and giving you purpose. 

 Happiness is not something that just comes to someone. We have to make it happen. We make our own happiness. It's an ongoing journey, not a destination. 

What are your secrets to happiness?