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Happiness is not for everybody. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has the right to be happy, but it is a choice. Many people think that it is there given right to be happy. But, this is the furthest from the truth. Happiness is a state of mind. And it takes a long process of dedication and self awareness to make yourself happy.
I have always believed that you control your state of mind. Sometimes, a lot of times, people don’t understand this. Shawn Achor gave a great TED X talk explaining the importance of happiness and that people have figured out the direction between happiness and success is wrong. He explains most see happiness as:
Success –> Happiness
But really, this isn’t the case. This is the furthest from the truth. What Shawn explains is that in the directional relationship when you reach success, when you get to your goal, you make another goal. And then another one. So therefore when you use this method of happiness, it is unattainable to ever really be satisfied with your life. In reality what really happens is that people should realize that:
Happiness –> Success
The happier you are, the more successful you become. Why? You ask. Well you’re already happy. You have chosen that no matter what happens, you are happy. The success is just a milestone that you need to achieve, but you always will be happy.
Now for all you skeptics that are still reading this. Let’s look at happiness from more than just what us in the US see as happiness. All over the world people are happy. However, happiness is different from country to country. The idea of happiness is so important that a cultural theorist, Gert Hofstede, has actually included a happiness scale into his reputable National Cultural Dimensions.
In some countries, happiness is based on expressive behaviors, in other countries happiness is not expressed and is actually restrained. How do you express happiness? What does it take you to be happy? Can you be happy just with what you have? Or do you always need material goods to be happy? And then never really be satisfied. This is based on Indulgence versus Restraint. Happiness is what you make of it, and what cultural norms put in place for you.
Ultimate happiness can be achieved, in any culture, through changing the inner happiness. By creating a habit of being happy, it is possible to live a successful life. So how can you do this? There are a few ways to rewire your brain to be happy.
1.) Say 3 positive things about yourself every day
2.) Journal one positive of your day
3.) Exercise
4.) Meditation
5.) 1 Random Act of Kindness OR thank someone in written format
It takes 21 Days to make a habit. So do it. I dare you. Try performing the 5 acts above for 21 days. And let’s see how happy you can be, and how happiness will change you. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!!! Stay #HappyIn21!