The Present: The Gift of Happiness

   Faznasha, have you ever known someone who 
has genuine happiness every day of their life? If so, 
you might be wondering what their secret is.
 
   After all, the primary motive behind all of our 
desires is happiness. Whether it be the desire for a
leaner and healthier body, a great relationship, good 
friends, a better career, more money or anything else.
Happiness is what we want more than anything. 
 
   And believe it or not, everyday happiness is easier 
than you might think...
 
The Present: The Gift of Happiness
  
   Before you can accomplish everyday happiness, you 
must learn to be happy in the present. The present is 
the only time that you can ever be happy, and that's 
never going to change. Even when you're remembering 
the past or imagining the future, you're still living 
in the present. 
 
   Too many people believe that they'll be happy when: 
their kids graduate from high school,  they pay off 
their house, they get out of debt, they buy a new 
house, they get a different job...blah, blah, blah.
Sure, there might be things in your life which will 
make it easier for you to be happy. 
 
   But if you're not getting into the habit of being 
happy in the present, then you'll still have problems
being happy, even when ___ happens. 
 
   The future is only real when it becomes the present, 
and as soon as it does, you'll be living it according 
to the same habits which you're forming right now. 
Again, happiness can only happen here and now. If 
you're not already committing yourself to being happy
in the present, it's time to get started.
 
   How can you get started?
 
Practicing Happiness
 
   Happiness is more of a habit than it is anything 
else, and the only way to form a habit is through 
consistent practice. Too often, we think that if we 
have to practice happiness that it's not real. This 
might be true. But if you practice it for long enough, 
it will start becoming a genuine part of your 
character, and eventually become real.
 
   There are three things that you can do to begin 
practicing and developing the habit of happiness:
 
   1. Gratitude
 
   The more thankful you are, the easier it will be 
for you to be happy with what you already have in your
life. If you look at someone who is unhappy, most of 
the time it's because they're expecting something that 
they don't already have in their lives. This keeps them
from being happy with what they already have because 
it keeps them from being thankful.
 
   The more that you practice gratitude 
in your life, the less ungratefulness will be able to 
rob you of your joy. 
 
   2. Laughter
 
  It's very difficult to laugh and to be unhappy for 
long. In fact, laughter is probably the most powerful 
cure for unhappiness. The great comedian Bill Cosby 
once said that if you can laugh at something you can 
get through it. This is because laughter takes the edge 
off of something and helps you to clear your mind of 
worry and anxiety. 
 
   But what if you don't feel like laughing? Well, 
that's the great thing about laughter...it can happen 
whether you feel like it or not. It's completely 
spontaneous, uncontrollable and wonderful. So keep a 
collection of funny movies or recordings of your 
favorite comedians, and make laughter a part of your 
lifestyle. 
 
   3. Purpose and Growth
 
   The leading cause of emotional pain and unhappiness 
is a feeling that your life lacks purpose and that 
you're not growing. Everyone needs something in their 
life which provides them with a sense of purpose and 
growth. If you don't have this, it will be impossible 
for you to develop the habit of happiness. But with a 
strong source of purpose and growth in your life, 
happiness will become an easy habit to form. 
 
   TIP: Sit down and ask yourself what you can start
doing today to pursue a greater sense of purpose in 
your life...something which will challenge you to grow.
Come up with a plan of action and get started on it today.
 
   To learn the secrets to success and happiness, check out
"Mind Secrets Exposed":
 
   http://www.the-secret-dvd.net/go/mindsecrets.html
 
   To your happiness,
 
Mike David  
Editor

:)sayangi diri anda...salam sayang..sayang selalu....Sayang Shikin