Happiness and How to Achieve Happiness

Happiness! Is happiness not the single most important state desired by all living creatures; especially human beings? I feel quite certain that happiness IS the single most important item in life - in fact I am so certain of it I am going to attempt herein to explain simply how to achieve the state of happiness.

The state or art of being happy takes daily effort. I say effort as it takes input to *be* happy. The old saying "We are all about as happy as we make up our minds to be..." is a fair assessment as far as it goes; but it doesn't go quite far enough for me in explaining just what is required of ME to achieve happiness.

So here goes - My How to Achieve Happiness Ingredients:

1. Chart the Happiness Course - The course, plan or the *way* must be paved. Every morning upon waking, plan the course as best you can to plant the seeds of having the intention of having a happiness filled day. Possibilities abound...if you Let Them!
2. Action - Now get moving! Happiness depends greatly on action - the direct result of *right* action. You know what right action *is* as your conscience tells you if you listen to it. Get in tune with it - this is very important as it will be your guiding force.
3. Conscience - I believe if ones conscience is not clean or clear, one cannot be truly happy. So everyday take a look deep inside to determine what little (or big) gremlins are hanging onto you and sucking away your happiness.
4. Decide - We really cannot act until a decision is made on the course to be taken so spend a bit of time planning your day, deciding what you will do, what you wish to accomplish, if you would like to help someone, etc...
5. Be Flexible - Be open to changes during your day. If things occur or opportunity knocks, open that door! See what or who is coming into your life! Yes, you must navigate but there must be room for time outs, surprises and unforeseen events.
6. No Fear- It is nearly impossible to be happy and have fear. Fear is the single biggest happiness-sucker I know of next to grief. If you have very specific fears - tell yourself...

   "I Refuse to Allow Fear to Keep Me From It!"Keep this in your mind, say it outloud, whatever it takes to get through a fear -- as once you have walked through it - it will hold less power over you until soon it will be gone. Only YOU can do this and you Can Do it!

7. Courage- It takes a degree of courage to be happy. It is far too easy to give up and be miserable, negative and habitually gloomy. How about making happiness a new *HABIT*. :}

8. Enjoy Your Work - I say this as most of us must work for a living. Many of us work far too much for far too long at jobs we don't even *like* let alone enjoy. Work takes up such an enormous amount of many peoples lives that it seems obvious to me we simply *must* find a method to like and enjoy the work we are doing. There IS a way to put joy into a job, no matter What the heck it is! I watched a TV show one day and this guy was cleaning port-a-potties!! He seemed to be one of the Happiest people I have ever seen! He simply glowed! He laughed at everything; made jokes about it. I actually felt ashamed I ever complain after seeing the joy in that man!

9. Simple is Best - Having simple (not to be confused with complex in this sense) desires or tastes is also helpful. If we are living in a state of always wanting, wanting...never satisfied...never enough; it is not possible to be happy if you cannot be happy with what you have. The beauty in a garden planted with your own hands; a book written by your own hands; a drawing, a painting; bread baked, food prepared...These are the pleasures of life which are far too often missed in the hurry-up lives we've been caught up in and taught to believe is necessary for success...when... Actually, it is quite the Opposite!

10. Self-Love - Learning to love thy own self with the proper amount of *self-denial* is to me the ultimate *Perfect Balance*. Set yourself free. Give yourself permission to free yourself of any demons that may haunt you. Your soul is up for grabs you know so don't give attention to the hauntings; turn your attention to the light of the day and let your light Shine!

So there you have it -- my 10 ingredients towards happiness and leading a happy life. So far as I know, we only get one life to live...so let us make the best of it. Let Our Lights Shine!

Comments are welcomed and appreciated in the spirit of this article.