Can You "Force" Yourself Into Happiness?

Here's the scenario:

#1 Your boss has been bugging you for an entire week to get that presentation done.

#2 You discover that one of your kids has caused some trouble in school and he was sent to a detention class by the teacher.

#3 Your washing machine and refrigerator have broken simultaneously and it's going to cost several thousands of dollars to fix.

You can add a few more incidents if you want.

The point is when these are conditions happen, concurrently or separately, they probably aren't going to make you happy.

However, a better question is, can you actually make yourself happy just by changing how you think?

There's plenty of evidence to support that you can indeed force yourself to be happy.

In fact, it's been scientifically proven that by forcing yourself to smile for just 2 minutes, there's a radical shift in your chemistry and psychology, which can be the catalyst for the turnaround.

While it won't make all the day-to-day problems disappear, it will surely help make life easier.

One way to reinforce this happiness is to focus your thinking on all the things you have in life, rather than those transient problems.

Those problems will eventually go away.

You will finish your boss's presentation and he'll leave you for peace (for a minute maybe).

You will work with your kid that is having trouble and get him some extra help.

You will find the money required to fix the home appliances and they will run smoothly again.

If you can picture those positive outcomes, the actual problems themselves will become less important.

Set up a vision of what it's like to be happy and your brain will work to help you get there.

When you are happy, the people whom you work with or live with will naturally pick up your mood and they will be positively affected.

Of course, there are certain times when no matter how hard you try, you simply can't get past feeling a bit de-motivated.

In those instances, it's always better to talk to friends and family.

Sometimes, just having someone listening to you can shift your mood around. A few of those people may even give you some constructive advice on how to solve the problems you are facing and this can help you lighten the burden, which eventually set you up for happiness and other positive emotions.

Another way to make yourself more happy is to take a break once in a while.

Spend some time in solitude and nature. Read an inspirational book. Go for a mini vacation with your family and kids.

People need to realize the importance of recharging themselves and getting away from the usual routines. It lets you see life from a different perspective and allows you to think more clearly and broadly.

This can be all that is needed to break through tough challenges and negative situations so that you are relieved and can go back to experience your default setting of happiness.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Can-You-Force-Yourself-Into-Happiness?&id=9531553

How To Be Happy and Create Happiness

THINGS THAT CANNOT BE TAUGHT

It is funny that I cannot stop laughing at myself for the stupid idiosyncrasy I participate in.

There are things we try to learn and others we strive to unlearn. Moreover, in spite of our failure, we continue fighting this losing battle.

Let me ask you the following questions, be sincere with your answers:

1) Who taught you how to be happy? 

2) What is his name, who told you when to be sad? 

3) Can you remember her face, who told you there is nothing pleasurable as being in love; killing like being betrayed and ditched? 

4) Do you remember their address, those who taught you how to cry? 

5) Who his teacher was, he who taught you good and bad?

Doubt anyone can have an answer except 'NO' to any of the above questions. None of these were learned: Happiness, Sorrow, Sadness, Love, Passion, Hatred and Desire - why try to unlearn what you did not learn - trying to fix what was not spoilt. They are innate! Everything is in you, like the application on your phone; you do not need to instruct it how to run, just launch it.

You are sad and do not know how to be happy? You need to ask the person who taught you how to be sad to teach you how to be happy. If he does not know, he should be able to refer you. If you were not taught how to be sad, what are you waiting for before you become happy? It is in you! Nobody can hurt you, make you sad or make you happy; they can only make you hurt yourself, make yourself sad or make yourself happy. Counsellors, Therapists, Doctors, Motivational Speakers, Motivational books and Yoga guru charge and do nothing other than make you make yourself happy. Yes! I repeat, they MAKE YOU MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY. Why? Because they cannot make you happy, simple! Only you can!

These are things that cannot be taught, so cannot be unlearned. They are all innate as stated earlier. You are in control, you determine the emotion to launch in your life. As for me and myself, I had rather remain happy than being sad. Happiness is the most expensive thing to buy - only few people know it is free.

Happiness is a decision. Displayed emotions are nothing but a performance of their actors/actresses script (decision).

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Be-Happy-and-Create-Happiness&id=9605436

4 Ways to Own Your Greatness

You probably don't make a habit of talking about your fabulousness. We've been taught that even the smallest amount of boasting is egomaniacal. And sometimes the more we achieve, the more negative reactions we receive (think scoring a big promotion at work only to become the new target of office gossip). Both of these things lead us to downplay our greatest gifts. Worse still is when we don't even realize we have talent to begin with. But hitting the dimmer switch on your specialness makes the world a duller, darker place for all of us. Instead, follow these four steps to unearthing your unique potential and letting it loose! 

1. Stop looking outside yourself. Our culture places a huge emphasis on external success: the perfect job or wedding or weight. But this totally blocks your inner awareness and can injure your self-esteem. A powerful way to focus your attention inward is to meditate. For one minute a day, breathe in for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, then exhale for five seconds. Over time, your inner voice will start chatting you up. 

2. Be more real. Embracing your quirks is hard—not conforming takes guts! But hear this: There's nothing cooler, sexier, or greater than your real personality. Identify moments when you're not being authentic (perhaps in the elevator with coworkers?) and go out of your way to be more you. 

3. Zoom in on what you truly love to do—and make time to actually do it. Maybe you love to paint but haven't picked up a brush in a while. Or you're really into music but you listen to the same albums for months on end. Not sure what inspires you? Well, simply pay attention to what you do effortlessly. What do you do when you're by yourself, just because you love it? What do others compliment you on? It could be as simple as styling your BFF before a big date. Your talent exists—you just have to learn how to see it. 

4. Step into the spotlight. Share your talents with others. Paint something for a pal or post your rockin' Spotify playlist to Facebook. Pass along the things that make you happy—it's not arrogant. Show friends, family, and coworkers what makes your heart beat faster. When they praise you, accept it with a simple, heartfelt "thank you." (Don't demur. Never demur!) Remember, shine bright, always! 

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/how-to-build-self-esteem

20 Things You Do That You Need to Stop – Right Now!

If we were all to realize how much of our time we waste every day on the things that aren’t important…that prevented us from spending quality time with the people we love…would we still be doing them?

Here are 20 things you need to stop wasting your time on, to start making the absolute most of your life:

#1. Stop hanging out with the wrong people.

It is said that you are only ever as good as the people you surround yourself with. If this is the case, why waste your time on anyone who brings you down or makes you feel bad about yourself? Surround yourself with those who uplift and support you, the ones who bring as much joy into your life as you bring into theirs.

#2. Stop burying your head in the sand.

Life is not always perfect, but it is our attitude and the way we behave in the face of our problems that determines the end result. We’re made to fail, to feel pain and to stumble…because these are the experiences that ultimately help shape us into our very best selves.

#3. Stop putting yourself last.

Sometimes it can be easy to lose yourself whilst in the process of loving another. Be loving, be kind to others, but never forget to show yourself that same love and kindness. Our capacity to love is only ever as big as the love we already have for ourselves.

#4. Stop trying to be anything but yourself.

One of the most empowering things a person can learn, is that it’s ok to not be like everybody else. At the end of the day, only YOU have to live with yourself – so you have to be happy with who that person is. So live your truth and be sure that you’re not the one who’s disappointed in the end.

#5. Stop being so afraid of failure.

Trial and error are an important part of what it means to be human. Think of mistakes as evidence of a full life, well lived.

#6. Stop beating yourself up over the past.

You’re not the same person you were a year, a month, or even a week ago! You’re always growing and learning, that’s the way life is supposed to be. Decide right now that regardless of what happened in your past, it won’t predict your future.

#7. Stop waiting for other people to make you happy.

You cannot depend on other people and your relationships to complete you, only you are capable of that. Learn to be happy within yourself, and watch as all of your relationships transform for the better.

#8. Stop waiting for the ‘right time’.

Life is too short to wonder what could have been. So let go of the illusion of there being ‘the perfect moment’ to take action. The only right time you’ll ever find is this moment, right now, because that’s all you’re ever really guaranteed.

#9. Stop getting into relationships for all the wrong reasons.

Loneliness, boredom, a need to feel loved… these aren’t good reasons to be in a relationship. And yet we all make this mistake at some time or another. A relationship based purely on love rather than need is always going to be a more fulfilling one.

#10. Stop letting the past get in the way of new relationships.

Every relationship you encounter in your life will have served a different purpose – some will bring out the best in you, others the worst. The important thing is that you don’t let them limit your ideas about relationships, and that you keep your heart open.

#11. Stop making life a competition.

Comparison really does get you nowhere, so you can worry about what others have all you want, but it honestly won’t change a thing. Realize that we are all on our own unique journey, at different stages in our lives. Don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty!

#12. Stop holding grudges.

Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows that you are strong enough to recognize that people make mistakes and that you love yourself enough to free yourself from resentment.
#13. Stop justifying yourself to others.

When other people cast judgment on your choices or actions, don’t feel the need to explain yourself and most importantly of all, don’t take it personally. People say and do things because of them, rarely because of you. Not everyone will always be on your side and that’s ok.

#14. Stop rushing through life.

Pay attention to the little things, because in the end, these are what will become some of your most cherished memories. That walk holding your daughter’s hand, the times you laughed with your friends, the shared silence with someone that you truly love. Stop letting distractions get the better of you – let go and just BE.

#15. Stop getting hung up on ‘perfect’.

Stop buying into the ‘perfection’ myth. Work towards finding happiness with what you already have and with who you already are.

#16. Stop living by everybody else’s standards.

You can’t base your idea of happiness and success on the ideas and expectations of others. Create your own definition of what it means to be happy and work towards your vision, nobody else’s.

#17. Stop putting on a brave face.

It’s good to be vulnerable now and again. You don’t always have to put on a brave face, whether it’s for the sake of others or simply because you find it hard to open up. Cry when you need to!
Allowing yourself to really feel your emotions will help you to come out of the other side a lot happier and a lot more quickly.

#18. Stop blaming other people.

When you blame others for the way you feel or events in your life, you’re giving away your power. Take back the reigns of your life and know that what happens next is entirely down to you, nobody else.

#19. Stop worrying about what could go wrong.

Life is nothing more than a reflection of what’s already going on inside of you. So rather than focus on your problems, focus on your blessings. Rather than worrying about what could wrong, enjoy thinking about what could go right.

#20. Stop worrying – full stop!

Fear is not a fact, it’s a feeling. So stop letting what worries you hold you back. Be in the moment and be happy – because that’s the entire point, right?

http://www.thelawofattraction.com/stop-right-now/