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There are several simple principles to being happy.
Why do we have lives filled with turmoil, desperation, and anxiety? Why are we always pushing ourselves and others? Why do we have only small dribbles of peace, love, and happiness? Why is it that human beings are characterized by bickering and turmoil that animals’ relationships with their own species seem peaceful in comparison?The answer is so simple — but it is sometimes difficult for us to really understand because almost every way we were taught to work towards happiness only reinforces the feelings and activities that make us unhappy.
This is a central point that must be understood. The ways we were taught to be happy can’t possibly work. Unless we see this point clearly, we cannot progress to higher consciousness. Here’s why.
Most of us assume that our desires (backed up by our emotional feelings) are the true guides to doing things that will make us happy. But no one has found happiness by using emotion-backed desires as guides. Flashes of pleasure, yes: happiness, no. .. (Note).
Most sadness, anger, and general unhappiness is self imposed and can be prevented with knowledge and practice. The following works well for many people and may also work for you. … with Practice over Time.
1. Keep Your Expectations Low; Convert Expectations to Preferences. (This is simple and effective). … Why set yourself up for disappointments! …
2. Count your Blessings. … Evoke Thankfulness daily. … Avoid self-pity.
3. Live in the Present, not in the Dead Past nor the Imagined Future.
4. Learn from Pain. The person that causes you pain is Your Teacher. Pay attention to the message received. You will soon learn that you are causing your own pain by your flawed reaction (from early “teachings”). The solution is to tell your brain the proper reaction (A new habit becomes yours over time). … You Are What You Think!
5. Challenges are Opportunities. Seek out a resolution or solution and convert a bad situation into a “Learning opportunity”.
6. Happiness is loving what you have, not crying for what you don’t have.
7. It is easy to Get Your Way; when you have more than one way. Simply covert a demand into a preference. Delayed gratification is a mark of maturity. Wisdom can be learned at any age.
8. Happiness may be merely the absence of pain in some cases.
9. Knowledge combats fear and confusion. Wisdom has no fear of death.
10. Take full responsibility for your feelings. Do not blame others. The World will not change, but you can change your “Reaction” to events. (Avoid over-reaction).
11. Be not attached to your opinions and preferences. Respect those of others.
12. Quiet the mind and experience the spirit within. … Try Meditation. … Count to ten and “Think” before reacting in haste.
13. Bloom where you are planted. .. Less is more. .. It is all in your Attitude.
14. You are What You Think. You can deliberately reshape your neural pathways with your thoughts, feelings, and experiences — real or imagined. The science of Neuroplasticity means that your habits can rewire your brain, favorably or unfavorably. For example, a negative outlook on life, depression, anxiety, or chronic pain can actually rewire your neural pathways in a way that makes those conditions more likely to continue. Think only positive thoughts; discard negative thoughts. If you want to lose it, don’t use it!
Your life is for learning, and you too can learn to be more happy than ever with some simple practice. One Example: When a negative thought enters your conscious mind, replace the thought with a Constructive one. In time one can eliminate all negative/undesirable thoughts. ... It worked for me! …
15. Meditation is a powerful Mental Exercise which the author practiced for 4 years starting at age 42. It will tend to quiet the restless scanning of the rational mind as you gain access to your inner being. You will see everything more clearly. Your long lasting problems will shortly melt away as life becomes more filled with joyful experiences.
16. Stress can be managed with experience and when you gain better self knowledge.. The causes of stress are too complex to be discussed here. Before becoming mired in deeply stressful situations it is strongly advised to read some of the self help books on the subject.
Rejoice in your own Happiness after each achievement!
Empower thyself by Re-Programming thy Bio-Computer.
This method is described in detail by Ken Keyes Jr. in his book “THE HANDBOOK TO HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS, The Science of Happiness. (1975).
Available from amazon.com
(Note) .. The first 3 paragraphs are by Ken Keyes Jr.
Humans are of course emotional beings of great complexity. We are each somewhat different, but with many things in common. Those who have a strong desire to grow and change will be successful. “Where there is a Will, there is a Way”. Humans also have a stubborn/contrarian component that often resists all pressure to change. They accept their unhappy destiny, and expect no change. …Are you this type? … Are you captive of self-destructive negative thoughts? … If so, be careful what you say to yourself. Eliminate all negative thoughts. … You Are What You Think. … You may benefit by the easy reading of Ken Keyes book. … You can Learn New Ways to Think! …
… Life Begins at Forty! …
Yes, that is a fact, for many of us. Around age 40 maturity starts to become real and brings many benefits. One starts to see a glimmer of hope and progress toward fulfillment of some of our earlier goals. There is no reason why each decade of life should not get better, provided one has maintained good health and financial security.
An example: Actress Jane Fonda, in her book “Prime Time”, describes her own amazing life after age 50. Mature happiness became hers only in her later years and after 3 divorces. Jane gained emotional maturity in her 70s and so can you.
At age 90 I enjoy many interests and activities and could not be happier. At age 90, ex President Jimmie Carter is still actively enjoying life. He has experienced a full life and even plans on a courageous fight for his pending battle with terminal cancer. We can all learn from him how best to deal with adversity.
For seniors in retirement it is essential to have goals, projects, or even trivial activities to keep you active each day. Start each day as a joyous adventure with things needing your attention. Just one small extra task per day is sufficient to maintain a positive outlook and a happy life.
Continual learning, and re-learning brings happiness. The intellectually curious types may be the happiest. The highly emotional and over sensitive may still have more work to do. Seek out any one of the many published “Pathways” to nirvana. A recent book “Becoming Wise” by Krista Tippett may be the place for you to start your personal quest.
It is strongly recommended that younger adults start early to strengthen their weaker characteristics. An early start will assure a long life of happiness and fulfillment. A positive commitment can make it happen. You will then travel your pathway to blessed happiness and fulfillment, absent of stresses.
An America of happier citizens is the place we want to be.
Happiness grows in your garden!
The Author proudly displays his home-grown broccoli.
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