Are we driven toward happiness? Or compellingly drawn toward it? Is it a natural human state? Or an enhanced state only achievable at times? The search for happiness ends up determining most of our actions, relationships and attitudes. It is an elusive search for some, and seemingly ever present for others. Happiness is essential to our quality of life. Many will attest that lasting happiness is not in material possessions or future achievements. Life can become defined by achievements. We become defined by who we date, how we look, our bodies, career, cars and holidays and travels.

The search for happiness can become all consuming. Yet happiness can suddenly appear amidst despair.
Even those in the midst of the struggle for survival, can experience happiness. And yet there is something about the struggle for survival that leads to happiness. The depression rates (a lack of happiness) in the developed world far surpass the rates of depression in the developing world. Why is this? How can we with so much, be so unhappy?
How can those with so little, even struggling to survive, still find happiness?

I once heard the statement “happiness is determined by what happens”. Yet this flies in the face of the observation of those in poverty ever smiling. Millions of developed world tourists photos can attest to the fact that even those in poverty find happiness in their lives.

Teaching ourselves to be happy:
Start small. Recognizing little moments of happiness can have a snowball effect. When you do things you enjoy regularly new neural pathways are laid down. You can actually teach and train your brain to be happy.

Why be happy?
Laughter lowers muscle tension, improves circulation and encourages healthy deep breathing. When have you laughed so hard your sides hurt? Now that is deep breathing. Feelings of elation and happiness linger longer when we laugh more. Laughter increases energy levels, reduces perception of pain, and helps you to let go of physical, mental and emotional stress.

How to be happy?
Settle your attention to the here and now. To what you are doing each moment: eating – really taste and feel the textures of the food. Making a coffee, smell the aroma, fell the heat, see the steam. Talking with friends, listen to, make eye contact, feel how you are feeling. Start to notice when you are feeling happy – note it down, and practice that moment again.

Discover a passion – put some effort toward finding something you feel passionate about, believe in and get satisfaction from.

“Do” happiness – could possibly help you “Be” happiness. Doing and Being are like the left and right feet. Both are need to move forward.

Exercise – mild regular exercise, deep breathing, help provide a sense of well being.

Sleep – sleep and rest can help you feel alert and improve your mood. Exercising before sleep can help the quality of sleep you experience.

Compassion – goes with passion – doing (notice the other half of being) for others can have a lasting impact on your own level of happiness. Activities can contribute to short term happiness, as well as long term happiness.
An attitude of gratitude is an oldie but a goodie.

Connect – sharing, communicating and having closer and deeper friends is very important and will help one be a part of something bigger then themselves.

Managing emotions – by expressing appropriately, without hurting others.
Challenging negative thought patterns – being able to observe ones own thoughts, helps us get out of our own head and more connected to the world around us.

Sharing Happiness:
Our biggest source of happiness comes from feeling connected to others. It is important for us to be with people, to form meaningful relationships and friendships. Sporting groups, hobby groups, common interest groups, action groups are great ways to build connection in this world.
Doing things to help others is compassions. Doing things to help yourself is compassion for yourself.

Happiness is a process, not a destination. It occurs in the here and now, not in the future of accomplishments or glories of the past. Happiness is what brings quality to life. Happiness should be a subject at school.

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