Despite what you probably believe, happiness is always a choice. Happy people aren’t lucky, they actively fight for their happiness every single day instead of crumbling in the face of setbacks and the tragedies.
Take a look at the top four rules you need to follow to always choose happiness.
4. Accept that happiness requires effort.
Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy, and happiness is no different. It’s easy to get stuck in the trap of being envious of everyone else’s seemingly ‘perfect’ lives, but you never see how much work went into being happy, and all the ways that person fought for themselves and their happiness.
Once you accept that happiness requires constant effort, minor setbacks will no longer feel like the end of the world. Instead, you’ll be more prepared to handle a setback because you’re constantly fighting for yourself and are in more control of how you handle situations.
3. Figure out what you believe in-and stick to it.
We all have expectations for ourself, and how our lives will play out, but if your actions don’t reflect your beliefs and goals, you’ll constantly feel inadequate. Once you figure out what’s truly important, start acting accordingly, and you’ll be amazed at how fast you feel proud of yourself for working towards the things that make you happy.
2. Don’t make it harder for yourself than it already is.
When something you perceive to be negative happens, you have two choices. You can choose to let your attitude and your perceptions about something make you miserable. Or, you can choose to look for a silver lining and use the opportunity to grow as a person.
Think back to the last time you thought your world was falling apart. Was it actually as bad as you convinced yourself it was? Was there anything that you could have done or appreciated that would have make the experience easier? We often fail to realize that our warped perceptions and attitudes have a much bigger impact on our happiness than the actual circumstance itself.
1. Embrace every moment in the moment.
If there’s one guarantee in life, it’s that things will happen in your life that you can’t control, and that will make you feel miserable. You may never be able to control what happens to you, but you can control how you react in the wake of those experiences.
Choosing to be happy requires you to stop dwelling on the past, and worrying about the future. Instead, take it one day at a time, embrace the good and the bad. When things are going well, don’t let something negative taint the happiness, and when times are bad, remember there is always something to be happy about.
Will you follow these rules to choose to be happy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
[Featured image credit: ask.fm]