speech writing how to live a happy and joyful life

How to Live a Happy Life: 101 Ways to Be Happier Essay

Every human being wants to be happy. This is what we are born for on this earth. This is what every person is striving for during his/her lifetime.

Nowadays, the quest for happiness is something that millions of people are obsessed with. Go to any book store, and you will see hundreds of “guides” written by reputable psychologists and unknown authors on how to be happy. Can they really teach how to be happy and live a joyful life? Should we take them seriously?

I will try to answer these questions in my paper. A guide that I took as an example is called How to Live a Happy Life – 101 Ways to Be Happier . The book was written by Michele Moore. Its first edition was published in 2007. One of the special features of the book is a Happiness Quiz at the end that you can do, define what happiness actually means to you, and develop your personal plan on how to be happy.

So, what is the author’s main idea? What was the major purpose of writing the book? The author claims that all those who want to be happy should turn happiness into a habit. What is a habit? It is something that we do automatically without even noticing it. Habits come naturally, and happiness should be the same natural part of our daily lives as well.

At a glance, turning happiness into a daily habit seems to be extremely complicated, for someone, probably, even impossible. What Michele Moore suggests to start with is defining happiness (Moore, 2007, p. 17). Needless to say, everybody would have own definition. For somebody, happiness means financial stability and overall success. For others, happiness means having a beloved one and be happy with him/her. Finally, there are people who view happiness in such things as alcohol, drugs or shopping, being popular, etc.

In other words, one’s happiness depends greatly on personal traits, values, priorities. Every person is happy in own way. This statement, in fact, is supported by other researchers. For example, Dr. Alan Carr also draws parallels between personal traits and happiness, and states that because of personal traits, some people even will never be able to achieve happiness (Carr, 2004, p. 16).

To define own way to happiness, Michele Moore recommends just to put everything on paper in order to have a clear vision of your goals and your happiness (Moore, 2007, p. 17). What is one of the biggest problems of people who want to be happy but cannot reach it? They simply have a vague understanding of their own happiness. If you go and ask somebody “What makes you happy”, you will not always hear a clear and precise answer.

Therefore, if you want to be happy, first visualize your happiness, imagine yourself as a happy person. Then, set up particular goals or steps that you need to take to achieve your happiness. It should be a conscious process, some concrete goals, and concrete ways of accomplishing them.

Another important claim that Moore (2007) makes is “Truly happy people are never evil” (p. 37). How can one be happy if he/she has something evil in mind, wants to hurt somebody, or simply wants another person to be unhappy? Happiness in other words can be defined as niceness, as an ability to cooperate with others, help people, make friends, etc. A happy person lives in harmony with the outside world and all people.

The same idea is shared by Dr. Carr. He says that happiness correlates with close relations and friendship. In his work, he describes a study of the happiest college students. Results of this study show that active and rich social life, friends play a great role in lives of the happiest college students (Carr, 2004, p. 23).

Another extremely significant, from my point of view, idea that Michele Moore develops in the book refers to emotional independence. Have you ever notices how emotions of other people almost automatically make you feel the same way? If your friend is angry or depressed, very soon you will feel the same mad or distressed.

This is what happy people do not allow other people do. Nobody can control other person’s emotions and feelings. Nobody should down your spirits. Happy people are just independent from negative people and their negative emotions or some outside circumstances that can make them feel bad (Moore, 2007, p. 43).

Yet, it should be mentioned that not all scholars agree with this position. For example, Eric G. Wilson, a professor of English at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, says Americans are too addicted to positive thinking and happiness, while melancholy and depressive moods are an integral part of our lives, our lives that are so filled with troubles and negative events (Wilson, 2008, p. 29). He does not support people in their addiction to happiness, he disagrees with all those self-help books (by the way, like the one I am discussing right now). According to Wilson (2008), “Melancholy is the muse of great literature, painting, music, and innovation” (p. 34).

Well, probably, melancholy is one of the aspects of Mr. Wilson’s happiness. We have already discussed that personal traits can affect how happy or unhappy a person can be. Anyway, I am not going to judge Professor Wilson, but simply will say that such way of thinking is not for me.

What else do I want to add about Michele Moore’s How to Live a Happy Life – 101 Ways to Be Happie r? First, the book is written in a simple and clear language, which already can make the reader happy. Comparing to other studies of happiness, particularly, those I have used, the book is very easy and exciting to read.

At the end of the book, the author provides bibliography, which is not always typical for self-help books. One of the sources mentioned in the list belongs to the spiritual leader of Tibet Dalai Lama. It is his famous work The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living . However, I should point out that Moore does not use some reputable researches in Psychology.

A few words should be added about Michele Moore. She is not only the author of How to Live a Happy Life – 101 Ways to Be Happier , but also of the Happiness Blog, produces Happy Life TV.

What is my overall impression from reading the book? At the first sight, it may look like hundreds of other books of this kind, but I am sure reading this particular guide to happiness can be useful. Why? I have several reasons for that:

• As I have already mentioned, the book is written in a simple language. You do not have to think about the meaning of some words, but just get your benefit from reading;
• The author, actually, talks about some simple laws and eternal truths that have been known thousands of years ago, e.g. do not harm others, make goodness, and others. These laws have been proven to be effective.
• Finally, the book is written in a very positive and enthusiastic way. As for me, it is really inspiring, and I believed Michele Moore from the very first lines.

To sum everything up, I will recommend the book to all those who want to change their lives. Definitely, everything depends on how seriously one will take the book, but I guess it will not help skeptics or materialists. To all those who, at least, a little believe in miracles I will say “Give it a try!”

Reference List

Carr A. (2004). Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths. East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge.

Moore M. (2007). How to Live a Happy Life – 101 Ways to Be Happier. Atlanta, Georgia: Happiness Habit Press.

Wilson E. G. (2008). Against Happiness In Praise of Melancholy. New York: Sarah Crichton Books.

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "How to Live a Happy Life: 101 Ways to Be Happier." March 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-live-a-happy-life-101-ways-to-be-happier/.

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Speech on Happiness for Students and Children

Speech on happiness.

A very warm Good Morning to all the teachers and students present in the auditorium. I am here to deliver a speech on Happiness. What do you understand by the term happiness? Is it something that depends on external factors? How can one be happy in a true way?

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Well, happiness is a term which depicts an optimistic mental state. Happiness can have different meanings for different people. Some may find happiness in earning money and be called wealthy. However, others give importance to good health for being happy. Some others may feel content having good jobs and high repute. Others may consider the peace of mind and unity with the Almighty as the source of true happiness.

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Happiness Is External or Internal?

True Happiness is something comes from deep inside. It comes from our hearts. Although we feel that material things or pleasures can make us happy, it is not true. A person who is wealthy may or may not be happy. However, a person who is happy is always wealthy.

Happiness reflects one’s positive attitude towards life. Such a person strongly believes that whatever happens is for good. Even if he fails in life, he or she doesn’t blame destiny for it. Also,  such a person doesn’t lose hope. He is always hopeful.

An optimistic person will always be happy. Moreover, such a person will be able to find pleasure even in the pain. Also, a happy person doesn’t depend on others or external factors to make him happy. He will manage to be happy even in the worst situations.

Thus, we can conclude that happiness is an internal factor. It can be achieved by self-realization. Only by seeking unity with the Almighty, can one find true happiness.

How to be Happy?

No one can make us happy. We only are responsible for our happiness. Happiness is a choice. True happiness comes when we realize our oneness with God. In order to be happy, one must be grateful to God for the many things he has given us.

We should be happy for such a precious gift called life. Furthermore, It is not necessary to have many big things to be happy. A grateful person finds happiness even in small things in life. We should look at people below us and be thankful. Also, we should be grateful for the eyes. We can see the beautiful world around us.

Moreover, we must be satisfied in life. Hence, to be happy, we should lessen the burden of desires and expectations. We should not always crave for things. If our desires would not be met, we would become sad. Thus, optimism, self-realization, gratitude, and satisfaction are the major keys to happiness.

Thus, to be happy, one must first understand what real happiness is. Otherwise, one would spend his whole life in search of happiness. Also, we must not look for any special occasion to be happy. We must find joy in each and every moment of life. Your happiness should not be dependent on people or circumstances. Your happiness is what you choose. If we are happy, we could spread happiness everywhere. Happiness adds to the beauty of a person. Also, a happy person never gets disappointed even in adverse situations. Thus, be happy and enjoy life.

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A Short Guide to a Happy Life: Anna Quindlen on Work, Joy, and How to Live Rather Than Exist

By maria popova.

The commencement address is a special kind of modern communication art, and its greatest masterpieces tend to either become a book — take, for instance, David Foster Wallace on the meaning of life , Neil Gaiman on the resilience of the creative spirit , Ann Patchett on storytelling and belonging , and Joseph Brodsky on winning the game of life — or have originated from a book, such as Debbie Millman on courage and the creative life . One of the greatest commencement speeches of all time, however, has an unusual story that flies in the face of both traditional trajectories.

In 2000, Villanova University invited Pulitzer-Prize-winning author, journalist, and New York Times op-ed columnist Anna Quindlen to deliver the annual commencement address. But once the announcement was made, a group of conservative students staged a protest against Quindlen’s strong liberal views. The commencement was cancelled. “I don’t think you should have to walk through demonstrators to get to your college commencement,” Quindlen lamented. Rather than retreat, however, she emailed the undelivered commencement address to a Villanova graduate student who had expressed disappointment at the situation. Years before the social web as we know it today, the speech spread like wildfire across the internet. A few months later, Quindlen expanded it into the short and lovely book A Short Guide to a Happy Life ( public library ).

Quindlen begins:

I’ve never earned a doctorate, or even a master’s degree. I’m not an ethicist, or a philosopher, or an expert in any particular field… I can’t talk about the economy, or the universe, or academe, as academicians like to call where they work when they’re feeling kind of grand. I’m a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is really all I know.

And know it she does:

Don’t ever confuse the two, your life and your work. That’s what I have to say. The second is only a part of the first. Don’t ever forget what a friend once wrote to Senator Paul Tsongas when the senator had decided not to run for reelection because he’d been diagnosed with cancer: “No man ever said on his deathbed I wish I had spent more time at the office.” Don’t ever forget the words on a postcard that my father sent me last year: “If you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.”

Quindlen considers the question of the self and what makes us who we are, what makes us worthy of being. And while the great Annie Dillard may have cautioned to not “ever use the word ‘soul,’ if possible,” it seems impossible to address the question of what makes a meaningful life without addressing the human soul, which Quindlen does beautifully:

There are thousands of people out there with the same degree you have; when you get a job, there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk, or your life on the bus, or in the car, or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank account, but your soul. People don’t talk about the soul very much anymore. It’s so much easier to write a résumé than to craft a spirit. But a résumé is cold comfort on a winter night, or when you’re sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you’ve gotten back the chest X ray and it doesn’t look so good, or when the doctor writes “prognosis, poor.”

Even those trying to find their purpose , even those engaged in fulfilling work , and even those of us lucky enough to have no separation between “life” and “work,” can get consumed by our modern cult of productivity . Quindlen’s words come as a vital reminder of what matters, what counts, what the true aliveness of life is:

You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are. So I suppose the best piece of advice I could give anyone is pretty simple: get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you’d care so very much about those things if you developed an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast while in the shower? Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over the dunes, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over a pond and a stand of pines. Get a life in which you pay attention to the baby as she scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off your regular phone, for that matter. Keep still. Be present. Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work.

Here, Annie Dillard, who so memorably expounded the power of presence over productivity in the making of a rich life, would have agreed. For Quindlen, however, an even richer life than that of simply being present is one of being present with a palpable generosity of spirit towards the world:

Get a life in which you are generous. Look around at the azaleas making fuchsia star bursts in spring; look at a full moon hanging silver in a black sky on a cold night. And realize that life is glorious, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take the money you would have spent on beers in a bar and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Tutor a seventh-grader. All of us want to do well. But if we do not do good, too, then doing well will never be enough.

Quindlen, who had a jarring confrontation with the mortality paradox early in life — at nineteen, she lost her mother to ovarian cancer and spent her sophomore year of college administering morphine while her peers partied — considers the Alan Wattsian idea that putting at rest our resistance to the inevitability of death liberates us to be more alive. (Sarah Lewis put this beautifully when she observed, “When we surrender to the fact of death, not the idea of it, we gain license to live more fully, to see life differently.” ) Quindlen reflects on the tragedy that split her life into a “before” and an “after”:

It is so easy to waste our lives: our days, our hours, our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the pale new growth on an evergreen, the sheen of the limestone on Fifth Avenue, the color of our kids’ eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of live. Unless you know there is a clock ticking. […] “Before” and “after” for me was not just before my mother’s illness and after her death. It was the dividing line between seeing the world in black and white, and in Technicolor. The lights came on, for the darkest possible reason. And I went back to school and I looked around at all the kids I knew who found it kind of a drag and who weren’t sure if they could really hack it and who thought life was a bummer. And I knew that I had undergone a sea change. Because I was never again going to be able to see life as anything except a great gift.

“We have entered a new age of fulfillment, in which the great dream is to trade up from money to meaning,” philosopher Roman Krznaric wrote in his fantastic manifesto for finding meaningful work , but Quindlen reminds us that the luxury of seeking fulfillment rather than mere survival came at a price — and yet how easily we take it for granted:

It’s ironic that we forget so often how wonderful life really is. We have more time than ever before to remember it. The men and women of generations past had to work long, long hours to support lots and lots of children in tiny, tiny houses. The women worked in factories and sweatshops and then at home, too, with two bosses, the one who paid them, and the one they were married to, who didn’t. . . . Our jobs take too much out of us and don’t pay enough.

She continues:

Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves how to make room for them, to love them, and to live, really live. […] This is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get.

How, then, are we to fully inhabit the miracle of our existence, that cosmic accident by the grace of which we ended up alive, here, now? Quindlen offers a gateway to presence:

Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby’s ear. Read in the backyard with the sun on your face. Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived.

A Short Guide to a Happy Life is the kind of read that stays with you for a long time, the sort you revisit again and again when the ground beneath your feet shakes and you reach for a reminder of the solid center. Complement it with more fantastic commencement addresses by Bill Watterson , Joss Whedon , Oprah Winfrey , Ellen DeGeneres , Jacqueline Novogratz , Aaron Sorkin , Barack Obama , Ray Bradbury , J. K. Rowling , Steve Jobs , Robert Krulwich , Meryl Streep , and Jeff Bezos

— Published March 11, 2014 — https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/03/11/a-short-guide-to-a-happy-life-anna-quindlen/ —

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20 Tips for Living a Happier Life Based on Scientific Research

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 518,460 times.

Are you looking for a way to go through life just a little happier? You've come to the right place. The truth is, the path to happiness lies in finding your core values and reflecting those core values in everything you do. Live authentically and presently in the moment and you'll find the happiness you seek. We talked to Life and Recovery Coach Kamila Tan as well as Life Coach and Energy Healer Karuna Jain to learn more about how you can live a life that's full of joy and happiness, regardless of your circumstances.

Living a Happy Life

• Identify the core values that fulfill you and make your life feel meaningful.
• Act and set goals that further your core values.
• Practice mindfulness and spend time with supportive people.
• Spread your core values throughout your community and the world.

Identify your core values.

• For example, you might determine that your loyalty to your friends is one of your core values. Anything you do that furthers that value will increase your overall happiness.
• Other core values might include empathy, faith, family, public service, community, human rights, or community.

Repeat positive affirmations.

• For example, if loyalty is one of your core values, you might repeat an affirmation like, "I am a loyal and supportive friend who is worthy of love."
• Consistent repetition is the key if you want to reap the full benefit of positive affirmations. The longer you keep up this habit, the more improvement you'll see.
• Jain notes that "95% of the time during the day we are having repetitive thoughts. So if you can learn... how to change even 1% of your thoughts in a day to be neutral or happy, then you can start changing your mind and changing the baseline on which you operate."

Write in a journal.

• When it comes to journaling, structure matters a lot less than the act of doing it. If having a dedicated journal to use and a specific spot and time is helpful for you, do that. But don't stress out if you find it's easier for you to be more haphazard about it.
• It's great if you write in your journal every day, but journaling doesn't have to be a daily practice to be effective! Journal when you feel the need to and don't beat yourself up when you don't—you likely won't get as much out of it if you're forcing yourself to do it.

Eat nourishing food.

• Studies have shown that more traditional diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, have lower risks of depression than a modern "Western" diet that includes lots of processed and refined foods and sugars.
• Eliminating sugars and processed foods from your diet for a couple of weeks can have a profound effect on your mood and overall sense of well-being.
• For best results, eat the rainbow every day with plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables at every meal.

Keep your body active.

• Regular cardio and strength training are important, but it's also important to be active throughout the day.
• Spreading out your activity will make you feel better than if you only exercise for one hour first thing in the morning and then are sedentary for the rest of the day.
• For example, you might take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park in the back row of the parking lot so you have a longer walk.

Stay well-hydrated.

• Specifics on the amount of water you need vary depending on your height, weight, where you're located, and what you're doing. Generally, if you rarely feel "thirsty" and your urine is pale yellow or lighter, you're well hydrated.
• If you have a hard time drinking just plain water, try snacking on water-rich foods, such as watermelon. You could also mix flavors in your water or try a sparkling variety.

Use your strengths.

• The pride you feel in yourself can bleed over into other areas of your life. When you know you're great at something, it can help you be more forgiving of yourself when you're trying to learn something new.
• Doing something you're good at also reminds you of the benefits of investing your time and effort into something. When you see that you can excel at one thing, you start to believe it's possible to excel at something else.

Do things you enjoy.

• Tan notes that "finding more joy throughout the day starts with becoming aware of the people, places, and things that bring you joy, and then incorporating moments when you access those people, places, and things daily."
• This could be something big or even something very small. Tan mentions that "if the sunrise brings you joy, make sure you get up early enough every morning to experience it!"

Develop a growth mindset.

• When you have a growth mindset , you automatically look for the lessons you can learn out of any challenge or misfortune. You see struggle as a chance to gain new insights and enhance your perspective.
• Tan encourages you to "try new things and keep an open mind about them.... If we are close-minded about any new experiences, that's a barrier to making life more interesting."

Practice mindfulness.

• Jain notes that when you're "on autopilot mode, you're not really stopping to pause. Because life is so fast, you can learn to pause a little bit."
• Tan recommends meditation because "personally, meditation brings me a lot of joy—with practice, I can access blissful emotions such as empowerment, gratitude, and a feeling of wholeness while I meditate. If I need a quick reset, I take 15 minutes out of the middle of my day to access those emotions and then continue on with a more positive mindset."
• Jain also recommends meditation, explaining that when you meditate, "your subconscious mind has time to go ahead and start bringing you from the sympathetic mode to the parasympathetic mode of your nervous system, calming you down, and then you start feeling happier when you're calm and relaxed. Then you can look at life with more happiness and joy."

Start a gratefulness list.

• Think about the little things as well as the big things. Often it's the little things that end up having the most tremendous impact on your life.
• Send "thank you" notes to people you appreciate in your life and let them know how much you're grateful for them.

Get plenty of sleep.

• Studies show that people who suffer from sleep loss also experience fewer positive emotions, such as joy, happiness, and contentment. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

Set realistic goals for yourself.

• Keep in mind that while you do want goals that you can realistically achieve within the planned time, you also want them to require some effort on your part. You won't get a sense of satisfaction from achieving a goal you were able to reach easily. [15] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source
• Jain recommends that you set happiness as a goal, noting that "if you make it a goal, then you're willing to put in some effort. That could be something as small as just taking a 5-minute break and listening to music that you enjoy or a 2-minute break a couple of times a day."
• Tan advises that "only you truly know what your fullest potential could be. No one else can map that out for you... Map it out with goals, create patterns around those goals, and soon enough you'll be achieving more than you ever thought you could!"

Celebrate your achievements.

• Avoid comparing yourself to other people. You'll always find someone else who you believe has a better life than you (even though that might not be true). If you must compare yourself to someone, only compare yourself to who you were yesterday.

Spend time with good people.

• Jain notes that "if you can learn to be more kind and compassionate towards yourself, then you would know how to be kind and compassionate towards somebody else."

Declutter your home.

• Decluttering can also help you show appreciation for the things in your life that have meaning for you, an act that can improve your mood and your overall outlook on the world.

Engage with nature.

• If you live in an urban area, look for a local park where you can spend some time.
• Looking for a "happy life bootcamp"? Consider spending a weekend camping with your phone off. Spend your time hiking, journaling, reading, and meditating.

Help build your community.

• This could mean participating in an organized group, such as a neighborhood litter patrol, or doing something on your own. For example, you might take meals to your elderly neighbors once a week.

Volunteer for a cause you believe in.

• For example, you might join a group that builds a house for a family in need once a month.
• If you're looking for a more regular commitment, ask about volunteering at local nonprofits, such as a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter.
• Jain would encourage you to also turn your compassion inward, saying that "social transformation begins with individual transformation of each one of us, we can learn to be more at peace, we can create more peace in the world."

Reflect on your core values.

• Sometimes getting back on course requires some tough decisions. For example, you might find that you need to end a toxic relationship.
• After a tough decision, always take time to focus on why you made that decision and how it promotes your core values and helps you live a happier and more authentic life.
• Find happiness in being centered on being your most authentic self, someone who consistently acts according to your own core values. You are someone who is reliable and supportive, someone people like having around.

Expert Q&A

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• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_be_happier_in_the_four_realms_of_life
• ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
• ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/stepstoleaps/new/featured/well-being-tips/2023_0327.php
• ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626
• ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/how-to-be-happier/
• ↑ https://stjosephbangor.org/hydrate-for-year-round-happiness/
• ↑ https://news.stanford.edu/report/2021/09/15/mindsets-clearing-lens-life/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/202001/the-surprising-reason-mindfulness-makes-you-happier
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/12/sleep-deprivation-anxious
• ↑ https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/advice-you/how-set-smart-goals/
• ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
• ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/the-mental-benefits-of-decluttering
• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_nature_makes_you_kinder_happier_more_creative
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-introverts-corner/201502/why-even-introverts-need-community
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm

About This Article

Living a happy life starts with basic self-care. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise a little bit each day so that you feel your best. Make time for fun and relaxing activities, like spending time with friends and doing hobbies you enjoy. When you feel overwhelmed, do stress-relieving activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Your mental attitude can make a big difference in how happy you feel, so watch out for negative self-talk. Next time you get down on yourself, gently replace the negative thought with a more positive or realistic one. Set realistic goals for yourself and work toward them a little bit every day, since this can help give you a sense of purpose. Remember to celebrate your successes, even the little ones. For more advice from our co-author, including how to deal with challenges in life, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Live a Happy Life: An Honest Essay

What is a happy life?

Is it a fulfilling career? Money? Success? Approval? Fame?

What if I told you it is none of these things?

Would you be surprised, or is there something in you that recognizes that this is true?

In society, you are praised if you’re ambitious, successful, rich, and famous.

Yet none of these things lead to happiness. Sure, you could say money increases happiness, but that is only to the point of covering the necessities plus a little extra.

This article is will not cover what is convenient, but instead look at what leads to long-term peace.

1. Contemplate

To contemplate means to look at attentively and thoughtfully.

What is it that makes you happy? What is your definition of happy?

What made you happy in the past?

And I’m not pointing to buying a new house, getting a raise, or getting likes on social media. Those are passing pleasures.

You may even benefit from using a different word than happy. What about content or peaceful?

To me happy means the absence of suffering, and the absence of suffering doesn’t mean no pain. There will always be unpleasant sensations or pain, but what can be transcended is the follow-up reaction.

This is by no means an easy task, but it is also not impossible.

The journey begins with one tiny step.

2. Present Moment

What stops this moment from being enough?

Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings that come up.

You could even say to yourself: Everything is perfect as it is.

This will no doubt bring up objections. Instead of believing the narrative, notice that there’s a feeling in your body that is being neglected.

Can you meet this feeling?

There’s no need to label it. Just feel the sensations. Notice how they move.

For a moment, imagine that every desire and aversion you have is an escape from this moment, from feeling.

If you feel overwhelmed with the feelings in the body, feel free to take things slow. Most people have avoided this for their whole lives.

3. Equanimity

We are thrown here and there not by life, but by our reactions to life.

Developing equanimity is seeing that these reactions serve no purpose. If someone cuts me off in traffic, does it benefit anyone for me to become angry?

The problem is that these reactions feel like who we are, so we never even question them.

There are plenty of people who drive cars that never become angry. This kind of inquiry into yourself is not comfortable, because you have to sit with unpleasant sensations.

If you are willing to do this, you will discover that there is no reason to react except to escape from a feeling we don’t want to feel.

Don’t try to eliminate reactions. Instead, become curious–what purpose do they serve?

Start small. Become aware of small irritations you have. Notice how those try to distract from a feeling.

Awareness is how this all starts. Just notice what is happening, and wonder if it has to be that way.

Starting a simple and easy meditation practice will make this process much easier.

4. Connections

Study after study shows the benefit of connecting with like-minded people.

Yet it’s not easy to reach out, especially if you’re an introvert, but it is worth it.

Here, too, emotional work is required, because there can be patterns of shame, pride, worthlessness, failure, and rejection that stop us from reaching out.

This has been the case for me, and exploring these hidden places brings up memories long forgotten. This kind of investigation is uncomfortable at first, but rewarding in the end.

If you’re unsure of doing this, get in touch with a professional that can guide you through the process. Sometimes you just need a few sessions in order to learn some tools and discover that you are capable of this.

There may even be resistance to seeking help. If so, that is the feeling that needs to be welcomed.

I told you that this article wasn’t going to be convenient, didn’t I?

If you pick even one of the tips above, and implement it, it will make a difference. The only problem is that these are not easy to integrate.

There’s no need to force any of this.

Even if you forget you ever read this, that’s okay. Life has a way of bringing you back if this is your path.

Sometimes we need to bang our heads against the wall until something breaks. Only then are we ready to try something new.

I know that’s definitely been the case for me.

So don’t be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the journey.

All the best, Henri

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11 habits to help you live a more joyful life, according to a happiness expert

Boost your happiness hormones with these powerful habits

While the challenges of the pandemic have been high and mighty for us all, Vanessa King, a happiness expert and Head of Psychology & Workplaces at Action for Happiness , has revealed what we can do to live a happier and more positive life. Whatever season you're facing, let these tips help you find joy everyday...

1. Dig for joy

If you're struggling to find joy , there's one simple yet powerful thing that can help: digging for joy. "Take a moment once a day to recognise the things that are good in your life. At the moment I'm calling it 'having a dig for joy' to find the little moments that make us happy in our day," Vanessa tells Country Living.

"Our brains are naturally wired to focus on what's wrong and we often overlook the little good things. It's not saying to ignore the bad things, but there are also usually some good things to. If we stop to notice those things, it has both a physical and a psychological effect on us. These little moments can help to buffer against stress and anxiety . It's a simple practice to do even on terrible days."

2. Create something to look forward to

Encourage a sense of normality by planning for the days ahead. While the pages of our diaries sit as empty as the London commuter trains, penciling in a virtual coffee with a friend, a walk outside or a book to finish will give you purpose each day.

"Even if you've had a hard day, you can create something that sparks joy," Vanessa explains. "Maybe it's running yourself a nice hot bath or ringing a friend that makes me laugh. You can create something to look forward to — it doesn't have to be a big thing. It trains your brain to notice things in the present."

3. Connect to reconnect

While connecting with loved ones has been harder — and different to what we're used to — it holds great power. "One of the most important things for feeling happier is our connections with other people," Vanessa adds.

"If we can do something that helps us to stay connected, that amplifies the feel-good effect that we get from other people. Feeling connected is so important for our wellbeing. Chronic loneliness can, in severe cases, be as damaging to our health as smoking or obesity. If you're lonely that's a signal that you need to connect with people. It's a bit like if you're thirsty you go to get a glass of water."

4. Do something kind for others

In many cases, sadness is a normal human reaction to different life changes and events, but there are some habits that can help with this. "If you find yourself feeling a bit down, a great thing to do is something kind for another person," explains Vanessa.

"When we do kind things for others, it actually activates the reward system in our own brain. It releases the reward neurone dopamine. If we're doing something for someone else, then it also takes our mind off our own worries as well."

In fact, a January 2020 study backs this up, discovering that the key to tackling loneliness could lie in a simple act of kindness. Interestingly, the researchers found that those who make time to help others stop feeling lonely themselves. "If I do something kind for someone else it gives me a boost for my wellbeing, but if I ask someone to help me then that's an opportunity to connect and show them that I value what they can offer," Vanessa adds.

5. Ask for help

Don't be afraid to ask for help. While often perceived as a weakness, asking for help is indeed a strength. "You don't have to only ask for help when you're struggling, but you can always ask for help when you want to learn or share," Vanessa explains, telling us that we can often get "embarrassed" when asking for help.

As well as this, she tells us that communities who help one another are actually "happier, stronger and more resilient", which is certainly something we could all do more of. "Giving kindness and asking for help is the heart of the social balloon," she adds.

6. Be a good friend to yourself

When was the last time you said something kind to yourself? "Notice how you're talking to yourself. Sometimes we can be really kind to other people but really tough, critical and nasty to ourselves," Vanessa explains.

Especially during times like these, when everyone is trying the best they can, it's important to show ourselves a little love. "If you notice yourself getting frustrated or cross with yourself, just say "hang on, this is a really tough time, lots of people are finding it hard". Notice how you talk to yourself. Be a good friend to yourself."

7. Move your body for your mind

"Although we don't always act like it, our body and mind are connected. Our bodies are designed to move, which keeps our brain in shape," explains Vanessa.

"A brisk walk can be as effective as taking prescribed medicine, especially for those with mild depression. Make sure you're getting enough movement in your day. Many of us are spending a lot longer at our desks than we would normally do. Think of ways you can introduce movement in your day to help boost your mood."

8. Look for the "awesome" outside

Nature is a natural healer and can do wonders for your mind, body and more.

Speaking about the power of heading outside, Vanessa says: "A recent study instructed people to go out for one walk for 15 minutes a day and look for "awe" – things that are literally awesome. It's one of those emotions where you like at something, like an old cedar tree for example, and just say "wow". Not only did this boost people's mood, but those people were pro-social because it took them away from all of their worries and their to-do lists. It helped to put things into perspective."

Why not step outside on a walk and soak up what's around you? Who knows what you might find...

9. Manage your social media diet

The profound power of knowing how you spend your time — whether that's at work or relaxing in the evening — can help you to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Vanessa explains that importance of limiting the doomscroll: "Manage your social media diet. When you look back on your life you're not going to wish you spent more time of your time scrolling," she advises.

10. Accept what you can't control

Do you find yourself trying to change things you have no control over? Accepting that many things are out of your control isn't giving up or giving in; it's simply learning to understand what's in your power.

Vanessa expands on this, telling us: "Accept how things are now, but also think about how you can make a slightly different today or a slightly better tomorrow. There's a lot of things that are out of control at the moment, but try to not spend too much energy on those. What can you do to make a better tomorrow."

11. Don't be expect too much of yourself

"Don't expect yourself to be perfect. If you mess up, it's OK to be open and honest. I'm learning that there's some things that I'm good at, but then there are other things that I'm not so good at. It's about accepting that and learning how to work with it. A great phrase I love is "don't compare your insides to someone else's outsides". Accept how you are feeling."

Vanessa King is the Head of Psychology & Workplaces at Action For Happiness and the author of 10 Keys to Happier Living .

Love what you're reading? Enjoy Country Living magazine delivered straight to your door every month with Free UK delivery. Subscribe now to save on the shop price + get instant digital access to the latest issue!

Emma Bridgewater's gorgeous new spring 2024 range is here

Wild Daffodils 10 1/2 Inch Plate

Daffodils are one of the most welcoming signs of spring, bringing bright swathes of colour to our gardens and parks. As we prepare our homes for the new season, we think this beautiful Wild Daffodils 10 1/2 inch plate would make a wonderful addition to any kitchen cupboard.

A Thousand Flowers Espresso Mug

Give your morning cuppa a lift with Emma Bridgewater's new flowers espresso mug. Inspired by Klimt's crazy rich mix of abundant multi-coloured flowers, give it to the person who holds your heart most dear.

Pink Daisy 6 1/2 Inch Plate

As the first daisies emerge in spring, serve up a slab of your favourite cake on this beautiful plate featuring the pretty flower.

Boxing Hares & Toast Lunch Napkins

No serving of hot cross buns is complete without these sweet napkins from Emma Bridgewater.

Wildflower Walks Chilly's 500Ml Insulated Bottle

Hydration is made simple and convenient with this insulated bottle, in collaboration with Chilly's. Made from high-grade stainless steel, it features a pretty wildflower print.

Roses Set Of 2 1/2 Pint Mugs Boxed

Love is in the air, and there's no better way to celebrate with Emma Bridgewater's new drops. We love this set of two roses mugs, featuring a stunning print for 2024.

Signs Of Spring Round Birch Tray

Whether serving dinner or drinks to guests, make sure you do so with Emma Bridgewater's floral round tray.

Black Toast Fish & Chips 10 1/2 Inch Plate

Black toast fans will adore these new additions for spring. The Fish and Chips plate is ideal for Friday night takeaways, while the ' Will You Marry Me' mug is perfect for Valentine's Day. Make sure not to miss out.

Green Toast No Caffeine 1/2 Pint Mug

Don't put the kettle on without picking up this Green Toast 1/2 pint mug, featuring the words 'Lemon, Ginger and Mint'.

Russell Hobbs Bumblebee & Small Polka Dot Retro 4 Slice Toaster

Look forward to your toast and marmalade with this Russell Hobbs Polka Dot & Bee 4 Slice Toaster, featuring a charming bee and polka dot print.

Personalised Blue Hearts Large Pet Bowl

Dog owners can surprise their furry friends with this personalised hearts blue bowl.

"Simply choose what you'd like us to script on the piece and leave the rest to us," says the team at Emma Bridgewater. "All our pottery is handmade and hand-decorated in our factory in Stoke on Trent. Like this pattern but looking for a different shape? Choose a different piece from our Personalised Blue Hearts collection."

Roses 1/2 Pint Jug

Serve refreshing drinks to your friends and family with this Roses 1/2 Pint Jug. It could also be used for your spring flowers.

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10 Ways to Create a Joyous Life

• By Lakeisha Ethans
• Published on August 6, 2023
• Last modified August 4, 2023

In pursuing a fulfilling and joyous life, joy is a beacon, radiating its vibrant light upon our daily experiences. Yet, joy is not something that happens to us; it is an active creation. To lead a joyful life requires a deliberate effort, an intentional weaving of practices that infuse our existence with positivity, meaning, and contentment.

Defining a joyous life goes beyond momentary happiness or fleeting pleasure. It encompasses a state deeply rooted in gratitude, resilience, and genuine connection with oneself and others. A joyous life transcends the mere absence of sorrow or hardship. It is an active pursuit of experiences that uplift the spirit, nurture personal growth, and foster a sense of purpose.

Practices for a joyful and meaningful existence help access the transformative nature of consciously engaging in activities that nurture joy. These practices serve as guiding principles, empowering individuals to make deliberate choices and shape their lives to promote long-lasting happiness. The importance of actively creating a joyful life cannot be overstated.

Our overall well-being and happiness hinge upon our ability to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and optimism. Individuals can cultivate a joyous life filled with fulfillment and positivity by incorporating specific strategies.

1. Expand Your Comfort Zone for Positive Growth and a Joyous Life

Expanding our comfort zone is a powerful catalyst in pursuing personal growth and a joyous life. Kristen Butler’s insightful book “The Comfort Zone” offers a unique perspective that challenges the notion of abandoning our comfort zone entirely.

Instead, she advocates for gradual growth within it, recognizing that true transformation and fulfillment lie in stretching our boundaries and embracing new experiences. Comfort zone expansion leads to personal growth, opens doors to new experiences, and ultimately enhances our joy and well-being.

Embracing new challenges nurtures resilience and strengthens our confidence. We encounter obstacles and setbacks that test our abilities as we navigate unfamiliar territory. However, with each challenge overcome, we expand our comfort zone further and build resilience and a deeper sense of self-belief. This newfound confidence catalyzes even more growth and joy in our lives.

2. Practice Gratitude and Appreciation

One of the most transformative practices we can adopt is cultivating gratitude and appreciation. It involves developing a grateful mindset, counting blessings, and engaging in regular appreciation practices. Gratitude is recognizing and appreciating the abundance, beauty, and goodness within and around us.

When we cultivate gratitude, we train ourselves to see and savor the small moments of joy and the blessings that often go unnoticed. Regular appreciation practices deepen our connection to the present moment and enhance our well-being. It can take various forms, such as keeping a gratitude journal , expressing appreciation to loved ones, or simply taking a moment each day to reflect on what we are thankful for. These practices cultivate a sense of mindfulness and presence, allowing us to experience and savor the joys and blessings surrounding us.

3. Cultivate Positive Relationships and Connections

Healthy and positive relationships serve as a source of support, encouragement, and inspiration. Meaningful connections foster a sense of belonging and companionship. Humans are inherently social creatures, and our happiness thrives when we feel connected to others. Cultivating relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values allows us to experience a deep sense of belonging.

Positive relationships also contribute to our personal growth and self-discovery. We gain new perspectives, insights, and knowledge through interactions with others. Meaningful connections challenge us to expand our horizons, step outside our comfort zones, and embrace diverse experiences.

They provide a platform to learn, evolve, and uncover hidden aspects of ourselves. Moreover, positive relationships directly impact our mental and emotional well-being. They provide emotional support, reduce stress, and increase our overall resilience.

4. Prioritize Self-Care and Well-being for a More Joyous Life

Self-care encompasses a range of practices that nourish and nurture our mind, body, and spirit. It involves taking deliberate actions to prioritize our well-being and setting aside time for activities that replenish our energy and restore our balance. By engaging in self-care practices, we proactively attend to our needs, allowing us to show up fully and be more joyful.

Physical well-being is an integral component of self-care and mind-body wellness. Caring for our bodies through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest helps us maintain optimal health and vitality. Mental and emotional well-being are equally important aspects of self-care. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and mindfulness cultivates a positive mindset and emotional balance. Setting boundaries and honoring our personal needs are essential acts of self-care.

5. Embrace Mindfulness and Present Moment Awareness

Mindfulness involves intentionally bringing our attention to the present moment without judgment. It is a practice of observing our thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise without getting carried away by them. Being present allows us to fully engage with our experiences and savor the beauty of life’s small pleasures.

When mindful, we notice and appreciate sights, sounds, and sensations that would have otherwise been ignored. The mind-body connection helps you experience joy and contentment. When we embrace mindfulness, we become attuned to the sensations within our bodies. Mindful living has always been tied to joy and happiness.

6. Pursue Meaningful Goals and Passions That Make You Joyful

Meaningful goals give us a sense of focus and drive, infusing our lives with vitality and enthusiasm. They act as a roadmap that guides us toward a more joyous and purposeful existence. Finding purpose and meaning in life is a fundamental human need.

We experience a profound connection to something greater than ourselves when we have a sense of purpose. It gives us a reason to wake up each day with excitement and a sense of anticipation.

Pursuing goals and passions that align with our values and contribute to the well-being of others allows us to create a positive impact. While pursuing meaningful goals and passions, it is important to maintain a balance between ambition and self-care.

7. Practice Acts of Kindness and Generosity

Through random acts of kindness, helping others, and giving back to our communities, we spread positivity and compassion. We experience a deep sense of fulfillment, purpose, and joy by brightening someone else’s day. Contributing to the happiness of others through acts of kindness creates a profound sense of fulfillment. Acts of kindness also foster a sense of interconnectedness and gratitude.

Moreover, acts of kindness and generosity can be simple and accessible to everyone. They can range from offering a listening ear to someone in need, performing small acts of service, or even participating in volunteer work. The key is to approach each interaction with a genuine intention to uplift and support others.

8. Foster a Positive Mindset and Optimism for a Joyous Life

A positive mindset begins with cultivating optimism and hope. It is the belief that no matter the circumstances, there is always a silver lining or a lesson to be learned. By adopting an optimistic outlook, we embrace a proactive approach to life, recognizing that we can shape our experiences and responses to be more joyful.

This mindset fuels our resilience and allows us to navigate challenges with determination and confidence. A mindset shift can help you adopt a positive way of thinking. Focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems is a fundamental aspect of a positive mindset. When faced with difficulties, a positive thinker looks for opportunities and solutions rather than getting stuck in a cycle of negativity.

9. Embody a Joyful Life Through Playfulness and Laughter

Playfulness and laughter can remarkably uplift our spirits and infuse our lives with joy. They can help us rediscover the childlike wonder within us. We tap into a sense of freedom and spontaneity when we do activities that bring us joy and amusement. Finding joy in simple pleasures and spontaneous laughter is a profound way to experience the beauty of the present moment.

Laughter , in particular, has incredible healing and transformative power. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and enhances our overall well-being. Laughter connects us with others, strengthens relationships, and creates a sense of camaraderie and connection. It can help you adopt a playful attitude and live joyfully.

10. Foster a Healthy Work-Life Balance for a More Joyous Life

A healthy work-life balance lets us prioritize activities that bring us joyful interactions and fulfillment outside work. Setting boundaries between work and personal life is essential for maintaining a healthy balance and achieving work-life integration.

It allows us to create distinct spaces and time frames for work and leisure, preventing work-related stress in our personal lives. Maintaining our well-being while pursuing professional goals is a key aspect of a healthy work-life balance. It involves prioritizing self-care in the workplace, maintaining physical and mental health, and creating a supportive work environment.

Time management is also important in achieving a healthy work-life balance. We can allocate sufficient attention and energy to work and personal commitments by effectively managing our time. We create space for joy, fulfillment, and meaningful experiences by striking a balance and being intentional with our time.

Final Thoughts on Taking These Steps for Cultivating a Joyous Life

In our quest for a joyous life, we have explored ten powerful ways to cultivate happiness and fulfillment. Expanding our comfort zone allows us to embrace growth and positive change. Gratitude, positive relationships, and prioritizing self-care and well-being ensure we have the energy and balance necessary for joy.

Mindfulness, fostering a positive mindset, and pursuing meaningful goals and passions bring purpose and fulfillment. Acts of kindness and generosity benefit others and foster a sense of interconnectedness and gratitude within ourselves. Embodying joyful feelings through playfulness and laughter brings lightness and spontaneity to our lives.

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About the Author

Lakeisha Ethans

Lakeisha Ethans is a compassionate mom of two who believes in the power of positivity, kindness, and empathy to create a positive change in the world. As a Contributing Writer at Power of Positivity, Lakeisha strives to make a difference through her content. Lakeisha holds a degree in Accounting and Business Management and has also pursued her interest in holistic health and wellness by obtaining a certificate in Yoga and Ayurveda.

Driven by her love for writing, she can craft compelling content that deeply connects with her readers. She aims to establish a connection between words and hearts, effortlessly weaving narratives that inspire, inform, and entertain. In addition, Lakeisha is an interior design enthusiast and a gardening fanatic!

She is a widely published relationship and gardening expert and a ghost author of several published books. When she’s not writing, she’s either knee-deep in soil, tending to her beloved plants, looking for ways to spruce up her space, or making memories with her kids!

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Speech about happy life [1,2,3,5 minutes], short 1 minute speech about happy life.

Happiness is a state of mind that defines how we feel about our life. It is not a destination or a condition that can be achieved in the future. Happiness can only be experienced in the present moment.

Many people have asked what makes someone happy and what makes their life happy. The answer to this question might vary from person to person but there are some factors that make up happiness for many people:

– Having meaningful relationships with other people

– Having a job that you enjoy

– Living in a place where you feel safe

– Enjoying everyday activities

Happiness is a goal that we all strive for. There are many ways to reach happiness, but the most important one is to be happy with what you have.

The examples of happy life are the following:

– A happy life is all about feeling good and being content with what you have.

– A happy life is about living in the moment. It’s about appreciating every little thing that happens to you.

– A happy life is about making choices that make your soul feel good and not regretting them later on.

2 Minutes speech about happy life

What is a happy life? This is a question that we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives. On this section, you will find out what makes people happy and how can we achieve it.

A happy life is one where you are able to live your dreams and achieve your goals. It’s one where you have the freedom to pursue your passions and interests without any constraints or limitations.

Happiness is a state of being that is characterized by the absence of suffering, such as sadness or anxiety.

There are many ways to achieve happiness in your life. We can do this through pursuing our personal goals and dreams, appreciating what we have, or by having a sense of purpose.

Happiness is a state of mind that can be achieved by learning how to live with purpose.

How to live happy life is an important topic for everyone. It is worth considering how you can make the most of your time and what steps you need to take in order to achieve happiness.

I am telling you some examples of happy life.

1) The happiness of a loving family

2) The happiness of a fulfilling career

3) The happiness of being able to spend time with your loved ones

3 Minutes speech about happy life

Happiness is a state of mind that is not dependent on what we have in life. It’s something that we can create and maintain in our lives through the way we think and act.

We all want to be happy – but how do we know if we’re happy? There are many factors that contribute to happiness including health, relationships, work, etc. But there are also some things you can do to help yourself feel happier right now.

The first step towards happiness is recognizing what makes you happy. That’s why it’s important to take time out of your day and focus on yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, socialize with friends/family or engage in hobbies or activities that make you feel good about yourself.

What makes a person happy? One might say that happiness is not something that can be defined. We can only know what makes us happy and what doesn’t, but the question of how to live a happy life is one we need to answer for ourselves.

There is no such thing as a happy life. But you can try to live a happy life by following certain guidelines.

The examples of happy life are not the same for everyone, but they are based on what we know about happiness and how it can be achieved.

– A woman with a job she loves, good friends, and a family that supports her.

– A man who is living his dream and exploring his passions.

– A couple who can spend time together without fighting or stress.

– A person with a lot of freedom to do what they want to do in life.

5 Minutes speech about happy life

Happiness is a feeling that comes from within. It is the feeling of contentment and fulfillment that you get when you are doing what you love, being with the people you love, and having a sense of purpose.

Happy life is a subjective concept, but it is generally agreed upon that happiness can be found in many different aspects of life.

It might seem like something that’s too difficult to define, but there are some key concepts that make up the idea of happy life. For example, happiness is often associated with having a fulfilling career and being surrounded by people who care about you.

The key to living a happy life is being able to have a good balance of work and leisure. This means that you should be able to enjoy your time with family and friends while also spending time on your passions.

Some people would say that happiness is something that you yourself have to find and the only way to do it is by living a fulfilling life. Others would say that it is something that you have to work for in order to achieve – and what better way than by following your dreams.

There are many ways to live a happy life. Some of them are just common sense, like prioritizing family over work and friends. Others require more effort and thought, like creating a daily gratitude list or taking a walk every day.

It is not easy to live a happy life. It takes effort and time to find the happiness in your life. This introduction will give you some pointers on how to live a happy life.

The first step is to identify what are the things that make you happy and what makes you unhappy. Then, it is important to find ways of getting rid of the things that make you unhappy and focus on the things that make you happy.

Happiness is something that most people strive for. It is a state of mind that makes you feel good and content with your life.

There are many ways to achieve happiness in life, but one thing is for sure – happiness can be achieved by being surrounded by people who care about you and love you.

– A young couple living in a small town, getting married and having children.

– A family with parents who are still together after their children grow up.

– A career that has meaning and purpose to the individual.

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How to Be Happy: 23 Ways to Be Happier

The complete guide to boosting happiness, according to science..

Posted January 1, 2018 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

• Happiness requires creating better work-life balance. It's impossible to be happy while being regularly stressed and exhausted from work.
• Thinking positively increases one's happiness as well as the ability to cope with stress.
• Changing one's physiology through nutrition and exercise can boost baseline-level happiness.

People often ask me: " What can I do to boost my happiness ? "

I tell them that there are tons of things you can do, and even though I've written a book about how to increase happiness now, in the technology age , I often can only recall a handful of strategies to use in the moment. So I decided to create this complete guide for how to be happy, according to science. If you use these 23 practices consistently, you are very likely to increase your personal happiness:

1. Find out what to do first.

How are you supposed to build the right happiness skills if you don't know which ones you are struggling with in the first place? This is why it can sometimes be helpful to take a quiz to explore your happiness strengths and weaknesses . Get a better understanding of what these skills are all about, and learn how to improve upon your weaknesses and build your "happiness strengths."

2. Give yourself a confidence boost.

Why would you bother increasing your happiness if you didn't think you could be successful at it? You wouldn't. That's why it's so important to build your self-efficacy —to prove to yourself that you can increase your happiness. The best way to do this is by starting with easier skills—skills like gratitude or prioritizing spending time doing fun things. Get a quick win, and you'll be more confident that you really can change your life.

3. Fuel your progress by learning how to feel better about yourself.

You wouldn't practice math to get better at cooking. And you wouldn't learn another language to lose weight. To be happier, you'll likely make more progress by focusing on the skills that are most closely linked to happiness. In my research, the skill that usually turns out to be most closely linked to happiness is positive self-views. Learning how to feel better about yourself —for example, by imagining your best possible self, noting your positive qualities, or identifying your strengths—can go a long way to increasing your happiness.

4. Create balance and overcome burnout.

How are you supposed to have the energy to be happier if you're stressed , exhausted, and miserable from work? It will be really hard. Building new skills that will help you be happier will take time and energy. So it's helpful first to create a better work-life balance.

5. Build a growth mindset for happiness.

A growth mindset refers to the belief that we can change ourselves. When we build a growth mindset for happiness, we believe we can change our happiness. This is super important because if we don't believe we can increase our happiness, we won't even bother to try.

6. Make positive memories.

Every region in our brains can be strengthened through practice. If our brains are really good at remembering negative things that happen, it can be useful to strengthen the regions of the brain responsible for remembering positive things.

7. Find those silver linings.

Everything we experience can be a bummer if we choose to see it that way. But when you search for the benefits or silver linings in your life, you may be surprised to discover a lot of good. Keep practicing to think positive and decrease the negative to cultivate happiness. Also, this skill has been linked to a better ability to cope with stress and be more resilient .

8. Take breaks from social media.

Evidence suggests that social media tends to have a negative effect on our happiness. By choosing to take breaks from Facebook—or changing the way we use social media—we can boost our happiness.

9. Spend smarter for more happiness.

How we choose to spend our money impacts what we can do and how we live in ways that impact how happy we are . When we choose a less fancy house or car—things that don't bring us much happiness—we have more money to spend on adventures or on gifts for friends: things that actually do make us happier.

10. Communicate kindly.

When we are kind to others, we feel better about ourselves. We can do nice things for others , be empathetic , or we can just treat each other with respect, communicating kindly rather than assuming the worst.

11. End your negative patterns of thinking.

Let's face it: Sometimes we are what's making us miserable. We just can't stop thinking about how so-and-so wronged us, or how our life didn't turn out as we hoped. Negative thought processes—like worrying, ruminating, self-judgment, and fearing rejection—just keep us miserable and unable to move forward. When you find yourself thinking negatively, pause and refocus your thoughts. In time, your brain will be able to do this more easily on its own.

12. Find clarity.

How are you supposed to move your life forward when you don't even know what you feel or why you feel it? To become happier, try to gain clarity on your emotions; find out what you're feeling and what caused those feelings.

13. Live your values.

When you start to explore yourself and your values, you may discover that you've known all along what would make you happy, but you're just not doing it. To be happier, get clear on your values so that you can live your life autonomously, according to your own principles and values.

14. Pay attention to the good.

Sure, sometimes life is hard. But by paying attention to the good, you can rise above it and be more resilient. When you find the good, savor the moment, and bring it with you to maintain happiness even during hard times. Or try thinking about a time in the future when you'll feel better.

15. Use your imagination to create the life you seek.

Did you know that your brain has a difficult time differentiating between things that happen in your imagination and things that happen in real life? So when you imagine something—even happiness—your brain acts as if it's real. We can use imagination to help create happiness out of thin air and enjoy our experiences more.

16. Stay mindful.

Sometimes we want to escape. The world seems dark and scary, but by practicing mindfulness we experience more fully both the positive and the negative—we are more fully engaged in our lives.

17. Explore what happiness means to you.

We all define happiness in different ways. When you know what happiness means to you, you'll have an easier time finding it. So explore happiness—what it means, what it looks like, and what it feels like—to more easily create happiness and live a life filled with more purpose.

18. Go after life.

How are you supposed to change your life by doing the same things you've always done? It's pretty tough. Instead, push yourself to overcome fear and approach life with enthusiasm. Try "doing the opposite" to see how it feels and to make your brain more flexible.

19. Speak up and be yourself.

When we let people walk all over us, we're unhappy. But when we advocate for our own needs assertively and express ourselves, we feel more in control of our lives. Learning how to express yourself can help you overcome interpersonal challenges, which can make you unhappy.

20. Find your purpose.

We all want to feel like we made some sort of positive impact in this world, but sometimes we are uncertain of the type of impact we want to make. Explore exactly what gives you a sense of purpose and how you want to pursue this purpose to give your life a greater sense of meaning.

21. Build meaningful connections.

Did you know we enjoy just about everything more when we do it with others? This is why one of the best things you can do for your happiness is to build meaningful relationships and social connections. To strengthen these relationships, practice kindness and gratitude towards the people you care about.

22. Get off the hedonic treadmill.

The " hedonic treadmill " refers to the tendency for us to return to our original happiness level over time. To boost your baseline-level happiness, you can try changing your physiology through nutrition and exercise. To maintain your happiness, you have to get out of your comfort zone and keep adding variety to your happiness plan.

23. Hold yourself accountable.

We are more likely to do the things we say we're going to do if we schedule time in our calendars to do them. We can also more easily stay on track if we get accountability from others. So if you really want to live happily , don't let yourself get away with being unhappy.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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A Pattern for a Joyful Life

Stitch by stitch, we can continue, rejoicing, knowing the Lord is with us.

By Elaine Sorensen Marshall in the Winter 2014 Issue

Illustrations by Michelle Sorensen (BFA ’10)

I recently retrieved from my departed mother’s unfinished projects a quilt top pieced by her mother with some scraps from my great-grandmother nearly 70 years ago. My mother had said it was not worth finishing. It was not straight and had been pieced with mismatched scraps.

But, drawn by nostalgia and a need for comfort, I decided to finish Grandma’s imperfect quilt. I found a vintage reproduction fabric for its back and borders. Then, out of respect for its time, I knew it needed to be hand quilted. So I spent hours and days quilting Grandma’s work that my mother had labeled “not worth finishing.” My husband called it “a monument to misspent effort.”

The more I quilted, the more I noticed its flaws. Mom was right: Grandma’s work was not that good. But as I continued, I felt comfort in the old seersucker fabrics. I imagined that I could remember some of them in my grandma’s dress or Mom’s apron or even a sunsuit of my own childhood. As I stitched I returned with longing to my mothers. I wanted to be what they would have liked me to become. At the same time, I wondered if I was enough for them or enough for my own children. Sometimes the quilting seemed futile, but I wanted to continue this small work that my foremothers had started.

Continue Your Journey

We are reminded by the Lord to “continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end” ( D&C 100:12 ). This short passage represents one of the most efficient statements of commandment and promise in all of scripture.

It offers three profound principles: First, to continue—to just keep going. Second, to rejoice in that continuing. And finally, the marvelous promise that the Lord is with us now, always, and to the very end. It is a gentle reminder that all we have to do is “press forward” ( 2 Ne. 31:20 ) with joy to have the only promise we really need—that the Lord is with us.

Continuing may be the hardest part. I think it means to keep doing the small, prosaic, daily, good things in our lives. It means to keep on choosing righteousness. On bad days, it means to simply put one foot in front of the other.

The path is not always easy. It is not even mostly easy.

Whether it is the big, life-changing challenges or the drizzle of daily demands, we must not weary. In his last speech to the House of Commons, after a lifetime of service in England’s worst of times, Winston Churchill said, “There is time and hope if we combine patience and courage. . . . Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair.” 1

I worked on my grandmother’s quilt during a time of special concern for one of my children. I tended fears that after all I had devoted to raising that child, perhaps I had not been enough. I even entertained the self-defeating question that if I was not enough in this most important task, of what use was my life? Why should I continue? In the evenings as I stitched, I grieved over the “what if I hads” or “what if I hadn’ts” in my life. Was I too strong? Was I not strong enough? Had I talked when I should have listened? Had I truly born testimony? And worst of all, did I fulfill the poem written for Mother’s Day by my son in the fifth grade that he titled “My Mother Is Always Busy, Busy, Busy”? Is that how I want to be remembered?

But I kept quilting, drawn to the strength of my mothers before me—assuring them that with all their flaws, they had been more than enough for me; stroking the same cloth their hands had touched; and praying that I might know how to continue to become enough for my children.

I have a friend who prays (like we all do) about the path of her own young-adult daughter. You can imagine her joy in recently receiving this e-mail message: “I know that I’ve come into something knit tight and strong and soft. I’m just the stray thread in this quilting bee of yours, but you’ve been kind enough to not snip me off just yet. So, here I’ll hang, tagging along, laughing when you do, and writing when you do, and studying the patchwork your stories have created.” 2

As I continued Grandma’s quilt, I learned something else: my stitches were not even, and my borders were not straight. My work was worse than Grandma’s! Nevertheless, to continue my well-worn metaphor, author Mary Neal proposed:

Each of us is like a small piece of thread that contributes to the weaving of a very large and very beautiful tapestry. We, as single threads, spend our lives worrying about our thread—what color it is and how long it is—even becoming upset if it becomes torn or frayed. The complete tapestry is far too large for us to see and of too complex a pattern for us to appreciate the importance of our single thread. Regardless, without our individual contribution, the tapestry would be incomplete and broken. We should, therefore, recognize and take joy in our contribution. Indeed, our threads—our lives—are important; what we do and the choices we make, even the seemingly small ones, actually make a difference. 3

Was it worth continuing the imperfect work that now extends across the lives of multiple generations of imperfect women? Now my granddaughter, Robyn Elaine, and perhaps her daughter, may enjoy this remnant filled with scraps, stitches, and flaws that may reach across more than five generations as a symbol of our continuing.

It connects me to who I am. I am a daughter of great-great-grandmothers who were among those who knew the Prophet Joseph when he was young, who followed the Saints across tribulations, who buried too many children along the way, who sold their butter to make ends meet, who patched their aprons and quilts—but who continued. They just kept stitching, and they kept walking. They were among those pioneers who “walked and walked” and continued to walk. 4

Near the end of his own mortal journey, Moroni recorded the comforting words of his father: “I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. . . . I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men” ( Moro. 7:3–4 ).

Whether your walk was begun by great-grandmothers in the early days of the Restoration or you are a first- or second-generation convert breaking a new path of courage, you must keep walking that peaceable walk, keep stitching, keep growing, keep trying. Keep doing the daily good things you do. It is who you are. You do it by faith and courage and commitment to your covenants with God.

Sharing his own personal story, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Don’t give up. . . . Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. . . . It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” 5

Let Your Hearts Rejoice

It is not enough to continue the walk with gritted teeth. We are told to “rejoice evermore” ( 1 Thes. 5:16 ). We are “that [we] might have joy” ( 2 Ne. 2:25 ).

When I was a new faculty member at BYU, I sat in this very room to hear author Annie Dillard. I wrote what I heard her say that day: “Grace happens anyway; the least we can do is be there.”

I believe that the commandment to “rejoice evermore” isn’t just an ancient nod to the power of positive thinking. When we rejoice, our eyes become open to miracles. There are gifts of grace all around waiting to be made visible by our rejoicing. If we are willing to rejoice in our walk, however hard the road, we will witness miracles. I like the saying “Anyone who doesn’t believe in miracles is not a realist.” 6

A father in my ward lost his job and has not found work for nearly a year. Last winter his wife took the children to the pediatrician’s office to get their flu vaccinations, with just enough in her purse to cover the expense of the immunizations. Ten-year-old Drew had a deathly fear of needles, but modern medicine had its own miracle called the nasal mist. When Mom stepped to the counter to verify that the shot and the mist were the same cost, all sighed to hear that the price for the mist was more than twice that of the injection. Drew instantly panicked. He knew this meant that he would have to get a shot, so he did the only reasonable thing: he ran away. His mom and older sister caught up with him and brought him back to a nook in the hallway to calm him.

Interrupting his tears, Drew asked if they could have a prayer to ask for Heavenly Father’s help. Mom agreed and suggested that Drew should say it. He gave an inspiring prayer asking for help to be calm and still. He asked Heavenly Father to help him to be brave. Then he closed his prayer with the words “And please help that I will get the mist instead of the shot.”

So of course Mom worried not only about the imminent extreme reaction but his disappointment when his prayer could not be granted. This only added to the pileup of burden and despair over the last year.

Eventually, Drew’s oldest sister went first to show that the shot wasn’t so bad. Then it was Drew’s turn. Just then, another nurse came running to announce that hearts in the office had been touched. Drew would not need the injection. He would be provided the mist at no additional cost. Drew looked up to his mom and said, “See, Mom, the Lord answers prayers.”

I know that Drew’s father will find work, and I suspect that the memories of hardship will fade with rejoicing in what our ward has come to call “Drew’s Flu Mist Miracle.”

When I was a ward Relief Society president, my stake Relief Society president, Sister Ann Nicholls Madsen (MA ’75), challenged us to pray specifically, “Lord, who needs me today? What is her name?” I found that a rather frightening challenge. Frightening because it required me to commit, to listen, and to be available—and frightening because it worked. On the days that I dared to say that prayer, I did receive a name in the most miraculous ways. More than once, I was led to the doorstep of a sister who needed someone at just that moment, whether in the anguish of watching her dying husband or just in need of a word of cheer. I rejoice in the memory of those miracles.

Let us practice saying the very word rejoice in our prayers, as in the words of the Psalmist: “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. . . . I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name” ( Ps. 9:1–2 ).

Rejoicing can be learned. Joy can be cultivated by practicing gratitude, forgiveness, and kindness. (I am not talking about casserole-to-my-sweet-sister kindness; I am talking about letting-the-jerk-in-the-car-merge-in-front-of-you-in-traffic kindness.)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could rejoice so much that others become suspicious? Ammon’s joy was so great that it made his brothers question his motives, believing that he must be boasting. He “did rejoice exceedingly” ( Alma 25:17 ), proclaiming, “How great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started . . . that God would have granted unto us such great blessings? . . . Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name. . . . Yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. . . . For in his strength I can do all things” ( Alma 26:1, 8, 11–12 ).

Today we sing “Now Let Us Rejoice.” When William W. Phelps wrote the words to this hymn in 1833, he had moved his family to Jackson County, Mo., where they had helped to build a community of farms, stores, and schools. They lived in the newspaper press building, where he was the editor. But soon a mob on a rampage tore down the building, destroyed the press, burned precious books and papers, tarred and feathered Church leaders, and drove the Saints, including the Phelps family, from their new Zion out into the cold, dark winter. It was in the midst of such suffering that Brother Phelps wrote the words to the hymn, later to be sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple: 7

Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation. . . .

Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation . . . .

In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah

To guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom . . . .

Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,

And they will be crown’d with the angels of heav’n. 8

And in March 1842, on the upper floor of the Red Brick Store, 20 brave women sang the same song as they closed the very first meeting of the Relief Society with the words “now let us rejoice.” 9

Let us rejoice because He is with us, as the psalm proclaims: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance” ( Ps. 89:15 ). And let us sing our own song on our own walk with rejoicing: “Be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet!” 10

I Am with You

We rejoice because the Lord is with us, even to the end. Life is not about overcoming or enduring this one great trial in front of us. I hear sisters say, “I know if I make it through this, everything else will be OK”—as if the Lord has some specific test planned for each of us, and if we overcome that one trial, we get a free pass directly to happiness on earth and in heaven. I am here to tell you that you can get through the challenge you have today, but do you know what? There are more out there—things you cannot even imagine. Satan has a growing number of creative ways to tempt us and our children. Life is a continuing journey, and the Lord is with us, walking beside us throughout this eternity, step-by-step. And today is part of that eternity. A dear friend recently reminded me of the words of C. S. Lewis: “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” 11

Through the Atonement, the Savior fills the measure where we are not enough. Sister Linda K. Burton reminds us that “all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” “there is power in the Atonement to enable us to . . . become true disciples of Jesus Christ,” and “the Atonement is the greatest evidence we have of the Father’s love for His children.” 12

There is a comforting pattern that reassures of the reality that our lives continue together across earthly and heavenly spheres. We are all part of a wonderful pattern we weave with the important people of our life—a pattern that can fill our hearts with rejoicing today and through all eternity.

In my family, threads were broken for a time. We were ambushed by trauma. The loss of my 8-year-old son Todd continues to be the most profound and defining experience of my life. In a strange way, everything goes back to that. The ache never leaves.

For a time, the Resurrection and even the Atonement didn’t matter to me. It didn’t matter if I died. I might have wished it. There was a time when all I knew was his absence. The void without him was all there was. I had no sense of where he was or if he was. All I knew was that he was gone. I have since met mothers who have expressed similar anguish about children who are struggling to find their way in this life.

I remember my mother standing by watching in her own sorrow, which I can understand only now that I am a grandmother. I thought then that she just did not understand, when she would say, “Elaine, you cannot live your life in Gethsemane. Jesus was already there. You need to come into another garden.”

I eventually learned that, even though I was not aware, the Lord was always at my side. His greatest gift is that He is there regardless of where we are or what we believe in the moment. The Savior lives. He is with us. His Atonement allows us to try again, to repent, and to continue. He is there regardless of where we are in our belief or doubt about that reality.

Other sorrows and losses will come. We will suffer, sin, regret, and need to try again.

Anyone who would be a disciple of Christ kneels sometime at [our own] Gethsemane. But . . . we need not stay. When we can find the courage to surrender, to accept the gift of the Savior—who already suffered there—we can stand and move on to another garden. Grace [and the Atonement offer] the quiet promise of that safe passage. 13

Somewhere, sometime (I don’t know exactly when), I made a decision. I don’t know if it was a decision or a gift. But I decided that since I cannot die, because life continues and there really is no death, quitting is not an option. I must live. If I must live, then I am going to live fully, embrace and own my life as mine, engage in each moment, and continue forward.

I decided to accept the company of the Lord, who was already beside me. I decided to walk with God—no, to run with God, as Paul declared to the Hebrews, “Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, . . . and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” ( Heb. 12:1 ).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland promised:

Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world” ( Ether 12:4 ). For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of “good things to come.”

. . . This is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us . . . . There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened” (See John 8:12 ; Rev. 22:16 ; Mosiah 16:9 ). It is the very Son of God Himself. . . . To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises” [ Heb. 8:6 ]. 14

The Savior is with us—to the end. He has shown Himself in His power and calls to us personally to know Him. We learned that with Martha on the path to the house of her brother Lazarus as she grieved his death, when Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” ( John 11:25 ); with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, when He showed Himself as the resurrected Savior (see Luke 24:13–32 ); with Paul on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:3­–5 ), and with Mary Magdalene at the end of her lonely walk to the empty sepulchre (see John 20:1, 11–17 ). How many times on our path need He show Himself to us?

Because He is with us, we must continue, embrace and own the lives we are given, find ways to make them useful, and live every day of our eternal life—and that means today.

Sister Eliza R. Snow declared, “I will go forward. . . . I will smile at the rage of the tempest, and ride fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of circumstance . . . and the ‘testimony of Jesus’ will light up a lamp that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality.” 15

The promises of Isaiah are made alive in our joyful singing: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” ( Isa. 41:10 ) and “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; . . . For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. . . . Since thou wast precious in my sight, . . . I have loved thee. . . . Fear not: for I am with thee” ( Isa. 43:1–5 ).

My journey is woven together across eternity among loved ones here, in heaven, and in my life to come. Our journey continues. It will not always be easy. Indeed, I expect challenges even in heaven, but we can rejoice in this day, and we can walk with God wherever and forever.

We can continue and rejoice, for the Lord is with us.

This article is adapted from an address given on May 2, 2013, at the BYU Women’s Conference by Elaine S. Sorensen Marshall , former dean of the BYU College of Nursing. She is now chair of the Department of Health Restoration and Care Systems Management and the Bernice Castella Distinguished Endowed Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio .

Web: Watch the entire address on BYUtv .

Feedback: Send comments on this article to [email protected] .

• Winston Churchill, “ Never Despair ,” speech to House of Commons of the United Kingdom, March 1, 1955.
• Personal e-mail communication, March 4, 2013. Used with permission.
• Mary C. Neal, To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story , (Colorado Springs, Colo.: Waterbrook Press, 2012), p. 102.
• “ Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked ,” Children’s Songbook (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1991), p. 214.
• Jeffrey R. Holland, “ An High Priest of Good Things to Come ,” Ensign , November 1999, p. 38.
• Quote attributed to David Ben-Gurion.
• See J. Spencer Cornwall, Stories of Our Mormon Hymns (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975), pp. 123–124, and Karen Lynn Davidson, Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1988) pp. 30–32, 79.
• “ Now Let Us Rejoice ,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 3.
• Relief Society Minute Book, Nauvoo, Ill., March 1, 1842, cited in Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2011), p. 14.
• “ The Battle Hymn of the Republic ,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 60.
• C. S. Lewis to “Mrs. Lockley,” Sept. 12, 1949, in C. S. Lewis, Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from C. S. Lewis , (New York City: Harper Collins, 2008), p. 144.
• Linda K. Burton, “ Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts? ” Ensign , November 2012, pp. 111–14.
• Elaine S. Sorensen, “Evening Balm and Morning Manna: Daily Gifts of Healing Grace,” in Dawn H. Anderson and Susette F. Green, eds., Women in the Covenant of Grace (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994), p. 267; also in Elaine S. Marshall, “Safe Passage,” in The Gift of the Atonement: Favorite Writings on the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002), p. 101.
• Holland, p. 36; emphasis in original.
• Eliza R. Snow, Poems: Religious, Historical, and Political (1856), pp. 148–49; emphasis in original. Cited in Daughters in My Kingdom , p. 59.

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10 Steps to Mastering the Art of Joyful Living

Posted By: Gail Brenner

Are you moving too fast to enjoy life? Are you caught up in problems and struggles? Are you pressing forward on automatic, burning the candle at both ends?

This post is all about slowing down – and I’m writing it for myself as much as for anyone reading this. Because it’s time to stop, be still, hop off the treadmill, and return to sanity.

It’s so easy to slip away from being aware. Even with the best of intentions, before we know it, we find ourselves moving mindlessly through life. We go through the motions, taking care of obligations, inhabiting habit patterns, and meanwhile longing for a time when the to-do list is empty. Our minds are caught in mental whirlwinds while we are missing out on what is already here.

We feel separate, deadened, and half-alive.

Joyful living takes commitment. It asks us to be awake and aware in the moments of our lives. It invites us to stem the momentum of our habits so we can reclaim peace, appreciation, wonder, awe, presence.

Do you want to master the art of joyful living? Integrate these 10 steps in your life, and the seeds of joy will flourish endlessly.

1. Bring silence and stillness into your life

If we turn down the volume on all the noise in our lives, we discover the amazing fact that silence and stillness are already here. And when we intentionally allow ourselves to be still, we naturally open to a deep appreciation of the present moment. We become relaxed, grounded and clear, and stress begins to melt away.

How can you bring silence into your life? When can you stop and be still?

2. Clean up

Someone recently told me she feels disgusted when she looks into her closet because of all the clutter. It”s a shame because every moment of disgust is a moment empty of joy.

If there is anything you are procrastinating about, anything you can easily fix, anyone who drags you down, pay attention. Don’t wait or settle for good enough. Carve out the time, figure out a solution, and clean it up. You are making the space for joy, peace, and happiness to illuminate your life.

3. Mind your own business

Do you want to be unhappy and frustrated? Then try controlling things you can’t actually do anything about. Like other people or most situations or the past or future.

If you are caught in an emotional reaction, turn the mirror onto yourself. Let the story go, and see what is actually true in your direct experience. Bring compassion right into the places where it is needed most.

Diligently work on the areas where you get stuck, and joy will naturally shine through you.

4. Give to others whatever you feel you are lacking

So many of us want attention, love, and understanding. We live in a state of lack, thinking that life can begin if only we get what we think we need.

Consider that you may not actually need what you think you need. It might just be an old story that has outworn its welcome.

Instead of living in lack, contemplate generosity. Give out to others what you want or need. Pull out the stops in offering attention, interest, and caring. Your sense of lack will be transformed into fullness. Believing you don’t have enough becomes love overflowing.

5. Use your senses

Life is so abundant right before our very eyes. Slow down and take the time to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. Eating an apple becomes a sensual delight, doing the dishes a symphony.

6. Recognize what is working

It is so easy to focus on problems and unhappy feelings. They grab our attention and won’t let go like a dog feasting on a juicy bone.

Take stock of what is working in your life. Is your living situation a good one? Do you know people who you love and appreciate? Do you enjoy your daily runs or a good home-cooked meal? Simply look around you, and you may be surprised by the bounty that is already present.

7. Live in forgiveness

If a grudge is interfering with your joy of life, then it requires your loving attention. Don’t let the minutes tick by while you live in self-righteousness or regret. Neutralize the stories from the past, and make the choice to live joyfully now.

Then live in amends. If you feel wronged by someone or you hurt another, deal with it. Don’t let it fester. Make a lifestyle of living free from hurts and grudges. You will feel strong, clear, and empowered.

8. Learn from life experiences

Sometimes the road of life is a bumpy one. If you want to master joyful living, be open to learning from the challenges that life brings you. Be honest about what buttons get pushed and recognize when you have dropped into a hole that you can’t seem to find your way out of.

Difficult life experiences are designed to show us the areas in our lives where we are not yet free. Use these situations well for your own liberation. You might have noticed that the teachings come until we understand the lesson. If there is a self-defeating pattern playing out in your life, slow it down so you can become conscious of what you are doing. Then make different, better choices with your eyes wide open.

9. Be pleasant

No matter what is going on in your life, show up in an open, good-natured way. No one likes a Negative Nancy. Stop complaining, and instead be patient, open, kind, and agreeable in your day-to-day life.

10. Lean into joy

Every moment offers a choice. Take a look at your life, and it will show you what you value. Are you choosing stress, conflict, and unhappiness?

Joy provides the perfect barometer for navigating through life. All you need to do is recognize what brings you joy, then follow it. Simple, right? Make room in your life for what is positive, light, and life-affirming.  You will have mastered the art of joyful living.

Do you live joyfully? Where do you get stuck? What other suggestions do you have?  I’d love to hear…

• Stumbleupon

June 16, 2011 at 8:47 am

I agree with all of them but found #4 to stand out, especially. Reminds me of Ghandi’s lesson to be the change we wish to see. Sometimes, I find myself struggling with feelings of loneliness, detachment and isolation. I have thoughts such as “no one has time for me” or “I guess I’m not worth their time or energy” and it can lead to feeling down. I have to catch myself and actively challenge that thought. I realize if I want connection then I have to actively pursue it myself. It’s unreasonable to sit back and wait for others to do something that’s important to me. Thanks for the reminder to step back, slow down, and take accountability for creating our own joy! p.s. I also like #5, I posted that as a self care strategy on my site!

June 16, 2011 at 11:30 am

I love the realization you are having about not waiting for people to knock on your door. Challenging those thoughts is an essential step. In addition, when you turn around your desire and offer yourself to others, you just might find that the thoughts don’t even have a basis in reality.

And regarding #5, if we use our senses, we can’t help but be in the moment.

Love to you…

June 18, 2011 at 2:27 am

I love your expresion ‘Negative Nancy’, please God, may I never be one of those.

Once again it was so good to hear from you, I actually applied points 1 to 3 just before reading this post. I took a day off from my job as a landscaper, converted a room in my house to a art studio, sat down and completed the first of many more paintings. This is something I’ve avoided for years and years because I felt Ididn’t have the time, etc. But I do have the time and so does every one else, and I can’t describe what a buzz it is when you figure this out.

Thanks for the back up.

June 18, 2011 at 8:35 am

Hi Mr. Tree Man,

I definitely have your back, Mr. Tree Man. It sounds like somehow, it just came to you to get going with your art after avoiding it for so long. It’s so simple, isn’t it? All it takes is attention, intelligence, and commitment.

And, yes, that buzz. The fruits of our willingness to live true.

June 20, 2011 at 8:25 am

Yet another article of yours I’m going to print and put in my file! Your blog is a treasure trove of wisdom! This post is so timely for me. I’ve just retired and so far I’m busier than when I was working. I took time for some stillness and silence by going up to my cabin for the weekend (no phone or internet). Whew! Moving on to #2, that is my goal for the summer–some serious decluttering and deep cleaning. One room at a time. Let’s see if I stay on track with that. All good points. Thank you!

June 20, 2011 at 11:02 am

Thank you so much, Galen. My you flourish in your retirement…

June 20, 2011 at 9:27 am

How many of us know (or are) people who seem to always be busy, but never really accomplishing anything, just more like a hamster on a wheel. All of these points are so useful. This is just another wonderful post. I think a lot of this practical living has to do with determining what your priorties seem to be (the way you are actually living) compared to what you want them to be and finding the path, tools, determination to move from no to yes. I chuckled at #2. I just put out seven boxes for Goodwill this morning. I keep an empty box in one of my closets at all times, so there are no excuses.

June 20, 2011 at 11:05 am

Great strategy, Clare, keeping an empty box around for things that will only clutter your closet – and your life.

I love that you speak to the practicality of sane living. It is about priorities, and we show our actual priorities all the time in the choices we make about what we think, feel, and do. And with some attention, and intention, life can be simple, lovely, peaceful, enjoyable. Maybe not all the time, but the desire for peace, and the willingness to do whatever it takes, aligns us with joy.

Wishing you so much joy…

June 21, 2011 at 6:10 am

Joyful living is a practice for me. I can get stuck in un-joyful living when I put the focus on something outside myself, such as worrying or obsessing over another person or situation.

Joyful living is about being in tune with myself, being the person I want to be, and somehow when I can accomplish a joyful life, the worries and stress I might have had about other things fall away.

Writing gratitude lists is one of my favorite methods for joyful living. It reminds me to focus on what is working for me, and gives me perspective during difficult times.

Most problems are temporary, especially the ones that feel urgent, and a gratitude list balances the temporary problems and encourages me to seek productive, positive solutions. It also reminds me to let go of stress, even if for just a moment.

Thank you, Gail, for this beautiful reminder to be joyful today.

June 21, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Welcome to you, Chrysta, and thank you so much for your beautiful reminders.

“Joyful living is about being in tune with myself.” Yes! When we are conscious and aware of what is happening – all those nuances of body sensations and feelings – we can navigate life so much more skillfully – as opposed to going on automatic and playing out our patterns.

I also can get into a negative mindset at times. Just shifting into gratitude can make all the difference, and it sounds like that is your experience as well.

Wishing you endless joy…

June 21, 2011 at 10:44 pm

Greetings Gail,

What a perfect post for the summer solstice when it’s surely time to slow down. I really appreciate #3 (made me smile) and #4 on this list in particular. It’s a very helpful reminder to give to others whatever we feel we need and a great practice too.

Wishing you well with your own slowing down venture!

June 22, 2011 at 2:46 am

This post does a lot of work in a relatively few number of words! It reminds me of the value of meditation, being mindful, and living in the moment.

I think there is another key: in addition to learning from life’s experiences, it is also important to collect emotional moments and treasure them. Without them, we find little joy as we look back on our experiences.

June 22, 2011 at 6:16 am

Great addition! I’m a fan of finding joy wherever it might be. It feels wonderful to look back on happy moments. The funny thing is that the memory might be the stimulation, but the joy is experienced in the moment.

June 22, 2011 at 10:22 am

This is a beautiful post Gail. Thanks. It can be hard to slow down (and live) when on the whole the culture we are part of is racing forward at breakneck speed to where it doesn’t quite know.

But it’s so vital — for our own sanity, but also so that we are here as a calm center people can turn to if they want, or be comforted by if they want to be comforted. Well done.

June 22, 2011 at 9:19 pm

I love what you say about being a calm center, Chris. As the layers of conditioning fall away, we become a transparent reflection to everyone around us.

That is one of the happy by-products of this most essential investigation and life choice that I know you experience deeply. When we commit to joyful living, things begin to fall into place in beautiful and mysterious ways.

June 23, 2011 at 5:49 am

You have certainly hit the nail on the head with this post and I need to heed your sound advice. I am naturally a “high energy” type of person and am highly self-motivated. All that can be very good but it can be very bad. I drive myself hard. I accept no excuses and double my efforts whenI feel I am lacking. That being said, I’m that guy who burns the candle at both ends and looks for a way to burn it in the middle too! LOL

Recognizing that about myself, I know that accessing Stillness is something I must do and do it frequently.

Other things you mentioned are also extremely important:

Not worrying over things that you cannot control

Living in forgiveness

Be Pleasant

Recognize what’s working

Thannks Gail!

June 23, 2011 at 9:16 am

Every quality seems to have two sides. It is great that you are so motivated, but then you realize that you are burning the candle up!

So balance becomes very important, and some of the things you mentioned from the post can help with that.

Some people are much more chill and could use a shot of your self-motivated energy. It’s about seeing things as they are and not living in our patterns, whatever they may be.

June 23, 2011 at 10:31 pm

Great reminder to slow down and take in the moment. In every situation in life, we can choose our response. We make choices that can lead to joy or lead to frustration and pain. I think if we follow #10 we will be on a good path. Thanks.

June 24, 2011 at 9:16 am

Thanks so much for your comment, Cathy. Isn’t it amazing that we always have the choice about how to respond?

Yes, it all boils down to #10 – following joy in every moment.

June 24, 2011 at 8:24 am

These are all important steps, but I like the first one,”Bring silence and stillness into your life”. People are so busy these days that they just don’t take the time to enjoy the moment, because they are thinking about what they have to do next. We need that silence and stillness everyday for a while to unwind. I do take my silience and stillness in the evenings. 1 or 2 hours works wonders for me. Blessing to you Gail for a great post Debbie

June 24, 2011 at 9:18 am

That’s just what happens when we allow our lives to be too noisy – our minds are in the future thinking about what needs to be done next, and we miss out on what is here right now. This future thinking is almost always fear-based.

Taking time to unwind and be still is the perfect medicine.

June 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm

Gail: I love this post and the reminder that sometime the best thing we can really do is just slow down. I thought the list was great. My favorite is #1. There is nothing better than stillness and it really is something we should dial up in ourselves as much as possible. Great post.

June 26, 2011 at 10:14 pm

A number of people thought that cultivating stillness in our lives is one of the best steps to take to live joyfully. Once we stop and realize stillness, we become present and able to make sane, positive choices. I love that joy is always possible.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

June 27, 2011 at 11:06 pm

I am new to the site and I really enjoyed your post. The insightful steps remind me (joyfully) of two spiritual life teachers that have touched my life – Eckhart Tolle and Pema Chodron.

I often think about the negative effects our fast-paced society has on the individual – so many of us are rushed, irritable, anxious and never quite feel good enough to live up to the standards of what television and the media represent as the good life. It is refreshing to see so many people have found another way.

While I follow meditation practices and introspection as much as possible, two things I still struggle with are an inward, ego-driven competition with other people (I find myself becoming envious when I see other people are happier or “doing better” than me), and impatience with people whom I feel are non-compassionate or far from enlightened.

Either way, I’m going to keep working at acceptance of others, and of myself. Thanks for your educated insight and desire to make this world a better place for us all 🙂

June 28, 2011 at 10:30 am

A warm welcome to you, Beth. Thanks so much for visiting and for taking the time to comment.

I appreciate your forthrightness about the areas in your life that you still struggle with. Other people are so good at being our teachers! They show us exactly where we are still stuck, as you are experiencing. These are both habits of thinking and emotion. They can be unwound over time by giving them close and loving attention. I did a series a while back on habits. Here is one article that has the links to the others – maybe you will find them helpful. Click here .

I love hearing about your strong intention – with that you are well on your way to freedom.

February 18, 2014 at 7:57 am

If doing the dishes ever becomes a symphony ; I’ll know that I’ve arrived.

February 18, 2014 at 12:26 pm

Hi Gloria, Next time you do the dishes, investigate very clearly to see if there is a problem. If you are resisting, yes, it will feel like a chore. Totally receive the experience, and you might be surprised at what you discover…

June 26, 2014 at 10:05 pm

Hello, reading the steps u kept infront of us are too effective and useful in day to day living thank you so much,getting addicted to your thoughts!!

June 27, 2014 at 5:23 am

I’m so glad you found this post helpful, Ojus!

January 19, 2017 at 9:42 pm

A good reminder to people on what is really important in life !!!

March 22, 2018 at 5:18 am

Thank you for your article. I was mostly attracted and touched by number 4. Give to others what you feel you are lacking. By the fact that I am trying to give what I lack, I give life to others who most of the time respond likewise which is really a lesson and a source of joy to my life. I also suggest that while the person stops the noise within self he she can try prayer for self and those in his/her circle of influence and the entire humanity because we all live in a wider globally integrated network. Thank you for your insights.

March 26, 2018 at 4:31 pm

You have such a beautiful heart, Sister. Thank you so much for sharing this.

October 9, 2018 at 2:57 am

Joy is the seed of happiness!

September 6, 2019 at 8:08 pm

agree with many readers above. #4 stands out. very refreshing perspective

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One Big Happy Life

Create the Life You Want

ONE BIG HAPPY LIFE

• THE LIFE YOU WANT
• THE ONE YEAR SPENDING PLAN
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How to Live a Happy Life

• March 11, 2018
• Lifestyle Design

Creating a happy life doesn’t happen by accident. No matter where you are right now, you can, with intention, make daily changes that add joy and happiness to your life.

I spent much of my 20s struggling with life. First, as a single teen mom and then later as a fish out of water as I tried to figure out how to navigate an Ivy law school and white shoe law firms as a girl who grew up in inner-city Brooklyn, NY. There were many happy times then, don’t get me wrong. But a lot of it felt really hard at the time. Despite that, I rarely felt chronically unhappy about my life in general because I knew that I was working towards changing things for the better, even if those changes happened very slowly.

Fast forward to my 30s and my life is very different now. I have an amazing family that I look forward to coming home to every night, a job that is meaningful and provides balance, and a burgeoning small business that excites me. Though, I still have my struggles and doubts, on the whole I am proud to say that I live a happy life and that it didn’t happen by accident.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COPOD2KEv9Q%5B/embedyt%5D

There is no one right way to live a happy life.

I’ve always had a bit of a stubborn streak that caused me to question basically everything. Of course this is a horrible trait to have when you have parents who prefer a more authoritarian parenting style. But no matter how much trouble my curious and doubtful nature got me into, I didn’t change. I just got (a little) better at hiding it.

While my parent’s weren’t fans of my inquisitiveness, it turns out that it can be a great personality trait to have when it comes to creating a happy life.

It can be really easy to fall into life tracks or routines because we are told that’s the way life should be or that there is only one way to have a successful life. There are a number of reasons why these ways of thinking are so common. One is fear. If you follow the safe path then you can be pretty certain that you will have at least a good life. And a good life is better than a bad life, right?

A second reason we aren’t encouraged to find our own definition of happiness is that it just hasn’t been that long since the world changed and regular people could in theory go out and become whatever they wanted to. Just a generation ago a person could expect to work for one company for decades before retiring comfortably with a sweet pension. That’s just not the world we live in anymore but it’s taking our societal norms a bit to catch up.

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The key to finding happiness is to actively seek it out.

These days if we don’t like something about our lives we can change it. We can start a new career, move to a different city, pursue our passions as side hustles or small businesses. But in order to take that first step, we have to be willing to believe that we can make change in our lives and ask ourselves the hard questions:

• What do I want out of my life?
• What is working in my life?
• What isn’t working and what can I do to fix it?
• What do I need to do to get to where I want to go?

All of the major, life-altering decisions that I have made in my life have started with those questions. Life has a way of settling into a comfortable routine. That’s great if you are exactly where you want to be. But most of us don’t end up exactly where we want to be without making some kind of concerted effort to get there. Not to mention that our goals change over time as we go through life.

The best way to stay ahead of that mid-life crisis is to continually check in with yourself so that we can course correct sooner rather than later. That way you can make sure that every day you are taking actions that actively bring us closer to living our ideal lives. It could be something as small as taking 30 minutes to exercise or something as large as hunting for a job in a new city. But before we can take action, we need to be able to figure out what goal we are working towards.

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Begin with the end in mind.

I come back to this second Habit of Highly Effective People over and over because it’s a good one and is often overlooked. Life gets busy. It’s hard to fit in sleep and exercise much less time to plan for the life that you want to live. But, as Steven Covey explains in his book , if you don’t begin with the end in mind then you end up wasting time on things that don’t add meaning or value to your life and don’t bring you any closer to living a life that makes you happy.

When you know what your ideal life looks like you can then start taking doing more of the things that bring you closer to your goals and less of things that don’t.

Joseph and I are constantly working on getting better at doing more of this in our lives and with our money. That’s why we use moderate frugality to help us work towards cutting our expenses in areas that give us the least joy so that we have more to spend on what matters (like family travel and creating a home that we love).

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Creating a happy life takes time, so work to cultivate happiness every day.

Achieving big goals can take a long time. It took me nine years to go from being an enlisted Marine with a high school diploma making $17,000 a year to being a lawyer and earning a six-figure salary. It will take us 15-20 years of being in the workforce to reach financial independence.

And sometimes you might have to wait for a while before you can even start making real progress on your goals. It will be at least two more years before Joseph and I can consider moving to a lower cost of living area because we are waiting for Alexis to graduate from high school. It will be at least another year and a half before we can really start taking affirmative steps to moving like searching for new jobs in a new city. 

It’s really easy to fall into the trap of being so focused on your end goals that you forget that life is the thing that happens in the spaces between your goals. That is why it is so important that you do whatever you can to fill your life with small bits of happiness every day even as you work towards making larger overall changes.

What are the daily things that bring your life joy and meaning? Are there things that you wish you were doing more of but aren’t? Focus on adding those mini-happiness sources in your life as you work towards making the bigger changes.

This is also a great way to handle the day to day frustrations that can come from things that are actively making your life unhappy but that can take some time to change. Back in December 2016, I was in a job that I hated, that had me in tears every Sunday night. I did three things to help me cope while I searched for a new job:

• I sent myself a daily email to my work address with one word: Deinvest.
• I learned how to sew and made our family coordinated Halloween costumes.
• I started the One Big Happy Life YouTube channel that later led to the creation of this site.

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We are all on our own unique journey.

It took a ridiculously long time for me to post about One Big Happy Life on my personal Facebook page. I loved it. I was proud of it. It made me happy. But I worried what my law school classmates who were out there doing big things making big bucks at big firms would think. Having a thriving, if small, YouTube channel is certainly not a typical marker of success.

This was just another form of the same feelings that cause us to want to Keep Up with the Joneses (or the Frugal-Joneses). And it is a surefire way to making sure that you will not live a happy life. Deriving happiness from comparison to others is fleeting at best. There will always be someone else to compare yourself to or to keep up with.

There are lots of issues with using other people’s lives as a measurement of your own success, but the biggest is that you might end up living a life that you don’t actually really want. What use is having a big house in the right neighborhood and a fancy car if you are actually a homesteader at heart? 

We only get one life. So forget about what other people are doing and just focus on your life and your path to happiness. At the end of the day and at the end of your life, that is all that will matter.

8 Comments on How to Live a Happy Life

What is the name of the Steven Covey book about the end result in mind?

Hi Alecia, I’ve added the link to the post, but here it is: http://amzn.to/2GfeEOC

Such a beautiful post. I have to be honest, I was just filling my tailwind cue, but I had to stop and read this. So lovely.

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this post (and thanks for the pin ;-)).

This is such a well written post… I am sure most of us already know these things…But with daily grind and crazy deadlines, somewhere we forget to check if we are happy… Thank you for a lovely reminder😊

Thank you for stopping by and reading it. I am so glad that it resonated with you.

I found your vlog on youtube and love everything that y’all are doing! I am going to use so many of your tips to make my life better. I really just didn’t know how.

I’m so glad that you found us and that our videos are helping you! Let us know if there are specific topics that you want us to cover. 🙂

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