“When all is said and done, the one sole condition that makes spiritual
happiness and preserves it is the absence of doubt.” – Mark Twain
According to Wikipedia, “Happiness is a positive and pleasant emotion, ranging from contentment to intense joy. Moments of happiness may be triggered by positive life experiences thoughts, but sometimes it may arise from no obvious cause. The level of happiness for longer periods of time is more strongly correlated with levels of life satisfaction, and subjective well-being. In common usage, the word happy can be an appraisal of those measures themselves or as a shorthand for a “source” of happiness (for example, “find happiness in life” as in finding the meaning of life).
The word “Happiness” is very interchangeable which is typically measured by asking people about how satisfied they feel with their lives (evaluative), how much positive and negative emotion the tend to feel (affective), and their sense of meaning and purpose. Scientific study of “Positive Psychology” is of human flourishing and an applied approach to optimal functioning, the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities and organizations to thrive. The five concepts of “Positive Psychology” are:
- Positive emotions; they are the foundation of fleeting but meaningful moments that make life worth living, to form the bonds that connect us to others, or to broaden our awareness, to open our minds, broaden and expand our awareness, and build our inner resources.
- Engagement; a specific way of being involved with a task (behavioral, cognitive, and affective).
- Relationships; positive relationships contribute to positive experiences; continuing and often committed association between two or more people; feeling supported, loved, and valued by others.
- Meaning; working towards a purpose that is bigger than ourselves, connecting to things that motive you, such as the “meaning of life”, a link to life satisfaction, character strength and physical health.
- Accomplishment; a result of working toward and achieving goals that are important to you, feeling a sense of accomplishment, developing wellbeing over time, linking goals to values, builds positivity and strengthens resilience.
Buddha Quotes on Happiness
- “There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.”
- “One who acts on truth is happy in this world and beyond.”
- “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- “If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.”
- “Our life is shaped by our mind. We become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.”
- “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”
- “Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.”
- “‘All conditioned things are impermanent’ — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”
- “Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”
- “Whatever is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness & benefit.”
I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition. – Martha Washington
Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. – Dailai Lama
Happiness depends upon ourselves. – Aristotle
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. – Helen Keller
Remember a few things when cultivating “Happiness”;
- Search inward; have a spiritual path to find your true self.
- Put purpose before money.
- Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have, have gratitude.
- Reflect on what brings you job; make a daily gratitude list.
- Discover your needs creating boundaries for things that are unhealthy.
- Have self-care, taking time for yourself and meeting your needs.
- Be a part of a community, have social connectedness.
- Be open minded and inclusive. Have Love and Give Love!
- Make Life Precious to You!
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Remember to Live from your Heart! I look forward to serving you again.