Why I Started Studying and Practicing Happiness?
As a happiness coach, people always ask me, “Are you ever not happy.” I usually respond with “Heck yeah, I go through the array of emotions just like everybody else, just ask my kids.” The difference is that I have trained my brain to be aware of these emotions so that I don’t stay in them for too long. It is something I work on daily for several hours at a time. It takes effort to be this happy. And still, I have some high and low days.
I became curious about happiness a long time ago, when I was getting my degree in public health. My curiosity sucked me in deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole like Alice in Wonderland. The more I learned, the less I knew!
As I explored the realm of happiness, I discovered some amazing things like: meditation, journaling, yoga, Positive Psychology, and Neuro-linguistic Programming. I was hooked! I wanted to learn more and more! But of course, just learning about happiness doesn’t make you happy. “The proof is in the pudding,” meaning you actually have to practice these tools. And not just for one day, for the rest of your life. Now that is a big commitment, but I was willing to do it if it meant I could be happy.
When you first start practicing happiness, some creepy and magical stuff starts to happen. Like you manifest things that you have been dreaming about. Or you are able to do things that you have never been able to do before. Then this becomes your new normal. These magical things just become a way of life and only you can truly appreciate them.
As you practice, your brain gets programmed to respond to life in different and more creative ways. This opens to doors to amazing experiences and new kinds of people. You might even attract other happy people and form some secret happiness club. Only there is no secret to just being happy, other than just doing it. Just like you, I am still learning and growing every day. As Tony Robbins would say, “If you aren’t growing, you are dying.”
Here are five things that I do daily to practice happiness:
- I practice yoga and a private meditation session most days. I’m not perfect, so sometimes I skip some days here and there.
- I write at least 300-1000 words most days on random topics.
- I spend time with good people. I choose the people I surround myself very carefully, so I only spend time with people that can contribute to my happiness and well-being and vice versa.
- I am aware of my emotions, so I can change the way I feel when an emotion is not serving me at the right time.
- I am grateful for all my blessings and reflect on these things daily.
Final thoughts: Happiness is not something you can catch or look for. It is already in you. You can choose to be happy or not. Ultimately you have made your choice. Check out this quick five-minute meditation for practicing mindful happiness.
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