I watched a video today that did more than inspire me. I can’t even put into words the emotions that came over me when watching this video. I was inspired, felt driven, and even had small tears well up inside of me. All of this from a 56 second video taken on the streets of India and words spoken by a man who is open about his lack of knowledge and literacy.
There are so many experts, psychiatrists, and doctors try to discuss the search for happiness and how one can truly be happy. Even they cannot describe it or explain happiness the way this man did with one sentence. One powerful, inspiring, and truthful message. So what was it and what did he say?
“The Key to Happiness is to Choose Happiness”
That was it. That was all he said, and that is all that is needed. Too many people go too far in depth when analyzing and deconstructing spirituality and the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes our happiness and well being simply is not as complicated as we make it. If you truly want to be happy then you have to be open minded and willing to choose the path of happiness. Let it into your life, be open to opportunities, and be accepting and positive every day of your life. Choose happiness and it will all start from the inside.
We all want to be happy. We all strive to be happy. We all crave happiness. However, being happy doesn’t always appear to be that simple. So here are the 5 “B’s” for finding happiness and bringing bliss into your life.
When I first began to write this article I really assumed that it would be an easy topic to write about. Talk about things that make me happy, easy enough right? Then I realized that what makes me happy would not necessarily make you happy. Happiness isn’t always a universal thing, so how can there be any universal tips when it comes to embracing pleasure? I was stuck in a rut. Sure everyone strives for health, fun, friends and family, but what about the people that enjoy being alone or have other desires? I was lost as to how to approach this topic, and then I stumbled upon Buddhist Philosophy.
Buddhist Philosophy
Buddhism recognizes and appreciates the fact that true happiness can only be found within oneself. What this means is that happiness has to be brought about via a choice and a change in your own mind. Too many of us focus on changing everything around us, helping others before we help ourselves, and over reaching for pleasure. If we do not appreciate ourselves and understand that our own happiness comes from the inside, how can we expect to be able to help others?
Many of the external things that we find ourselves chasing will not actually bring us happiness. If a new car and more friends manage to bring you happiness it often only turns out to be a fleeting happiness. Finding true, internal happiness takes dedication and is a far reaching goal, but is incredibly attainable. Find happiness from the inside out. Fix yourself form the inside before shaping the outside world. Follow these five tips and make a change towards true happiness.
How to Find Happiness “B” #1- Be Able to Look Inside Yourself
It is paramount to face your demons. Take responsibility of your actions, your thoughts, and your opinions. Many people are infested with self doubt and have even hidden themselves from their own mind. So many people sit there and gossip about other people, how confused they are, how rude they are, and how many problems they cause. You often have to face your demons and realize that if everyone around you “has problems”, you might be the common denominator.
Happiness is not something that is out in the world to find or something we always need to search for. It is in here. It is in your heart. It is in your mind. It is easy to say this, but much harder to actually live it. Your first step is to recognize the source of your individual happiness. Once you understand that you are responsible for finding your own pleasure, it is then that you can take steps towards finding more fulfillment.
How to Find Happiness “B” #2- Be Truly Free
The definition that we have come to believe when it comes to the word freedom is not truly freedom. It has become known as a sort of “I do what I like when I like” type attitude and method of living. That sort of freedom often does not lead to happiness. While we often feel like we are doing what we want to do, we are tied down by our true desires as well as the things that the media and society are telling us.
In today’s world consumerism has forced us to always want things. I want this. I want that. If I get that then I will be happy. It is these fabricated desires that actually eat away at our freedom. In order to achieve true happiness we have to each find a way to break free from our desires and understand what we really need to be happy, not what we want.
How to Find Happiness “B” #3- Be Compassionate
Everyone feels that friends and family are important. We would do anything for the people who are close to us and the ones we love. However, that love and kindness rarely seems to transfer over to strangers. Why is it that we are so compassionate to some people but completely disregard others? We are compassionate with the ones we love because we have a deeper connection with them. What if there was a way to find that same connection with complete strangers or even the rest of the world? What if we just realized that we all do have something in common? We all do share at least one goal; we all want to be happy.
The desire to be happy is behind every major decision or move that we make in life. Every minute of every day our minds are geared towards finding happiness and fulfilling internal desires. Understanding that everyone shares this same desire to be happy can help us understand that we are just like everyone else. We all want to be happy. So be compassionate and accepting of everyone around you, no matter what their faults or opinions may be. In the end, they just want to be happy, and so do you.
How to Find Happiness “B” #4- Be Generous and Giving
We are instinctively hardwired to be selfish. We cherish ourselves and we want what is best for us. We talk about ourselves, we talk about our problems, and we want the focus to be on us. Stop it. Just stop. The truth is that nobody really wants to hear it. Instead, find a way to give. Connect with others through giving and realize that the more time you take to think about others and give, the less time you will have to dwell on yourself.
Compassion and generosity. Cherish those ideas, use them, and connect with others. There is so much happiness that can be spread through connecting and sharing with others. Happiness doesn’t have to be about a brand new house or a bigger TV; it can simply be about conversation and caring for others.
How to Find Happiness “B” #5- Be Content
Sometimes it is our lack of understanding of what happiness is that prevents us from actually finding it. Instead of focusing on being happy, try to focus on being content. Happiness has been associated with running around, playing on the beach, and laughing and smiling all day long. For many people that may not even be what makes them truly happy.
We all have what we need in our lives already to be happy. I will go out on a limb and say that is true. Some of you may call me out on that but the fact remains that we do not need very much to be happy, and most of us already have it all.
So why does finding happiness still seem to be so hard?
In most cases we tell ourselves we are happy. We even take the time to count our blessings, appreciate what we have, and even feel grateful for the things in our lives. However, that feeling and those emotions do not last for long. It only lasts until something goes wrong, someone cuts us off while driving, or until we see another material good that we want. These other emotions swoop in and steal our happiness.
We need to stop that wanting emotion and that craving for more. Be content. Be content with what you have, be proud of what you have already achieved, and you will be that much closer to being happy on a consistent basis.
The Key to Happiness is to Choose Happiness. Think about it. Really. Please.
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