Being happy is the goal of most people yet if you take a good  look at the individuals around you, you will observe that many of them are really unhappy.  Money, a vacation, a fancy sports car – all material things – do not bring you lasting happiness.. 

In Happy for No Reason, Marci Shimoff, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, says that they are seven steps to being happy from the inside out.

1. Take Ownership of Your Happiness – The Foundation
2. Don’t Believe Everything You Think – The Pillar of the Mind
3. Let Love Lead – The Pillar of the Heart
4. Make Your Cells Happy – The Pillar of the Body
5. Plug Yourself in to Spirit – The Pillar of the Soul
6. Live a Life Inspired by Purpose – The Roof
7. Cultivate Nourishing Relationships – The Garden

YOU are responsible for your own happiness.  If you happened to see the first episode of this season’s Apprentice, you can’t help but remember Gene, the Project Manager for the men’s team.  He told his team to own their task and take it from start to finish.  The men’s team won the first task!  The same is true for happiness – you have to own it.

Change the way you think.  The bad news is that we all have negative thoughts running through our heads.  The good news is that our thoughts are not always true.  Do not react to negative thoughts.  Find positive experiences and savor them – FEEL them.  

Your heart is your energy field.  When your heart is heavy it is full of pain, however, when your heart is full it is full of joy.  Find ways to be greatful so your heart will be filled with joy.

Did you know that there were happiness foods?  Happiness foods are fresh foods.  They contain little or no sugar and they generally do not come in a box or a can.  Happiness foods fuel our body. 

Appreciate the miracles in your life.  Whether you belong to a formal religion or you just believe in a higher power, people who are the happiest are connected to an energy source that is bigger than life.

What is your purpose in life?  Contrary to popular belief, your purpose in life is not your job or your career.  Your purpose in life is that which gives your life meaning .  Find your passion and you will find your purpose for life.

Do you cultivate your social relationships?  Good social relationships are a strong predictor of happiness.  If you are feeling down you can “catch” positive emotions from someone close to you.  Make healthy connections with people and boost your energy.

Learn how to be happy from the inside out.

Share your stories of happiness and achievement with me by leaving a reply below.