“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”  – Abraham Lincoln

If you want to envision happiness, imagine one foot rooted in the present with mindful appreciation of what one has – and another foot reaching toward the future for yet-to-be uncovered sources of meaning and joy.

This of  course is easier said than done!  What blocks this process is our fear, control and lack of motivation to believe and trust we deserve happiness.

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama XIV

So in order to find happiness, we need to motivate ourselves and take action towards our goals.  Overall, I have found the people who are the happiest tend to be superior at sacrificing short-term pleasures when there is good opportunity to make progress toward what they aspire to become in life.

Making advances towards achieving our dreams and goals not only causes us to feel more engaged, it helps us tolerate any negative feelings that arise along the journey.  Most importantly be true to yourself.  Make sure that the dream you are following is really what you want and not what you believe others want for you.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” – Aristotle

Below are some suggestions that can help bring contentment and happiness into your life.  When you take responsibility and action to change your attitude and thought process, no matter what your circumstances are, you will find life gets easier.  Remember that life is always a matter of choice not chance.  We always have the choice to react negatively or positively.

1. Build close relationships in which you can share your personal feelings and reveal your authentic self.
2. Volunteer or care for others on a consistent basis.
3. Engage in a healthy, active lifestyle that promotes physical vitality.
4. Find spiritual engagement and meaning through meditation, prayer, yoga, or spiritual exploration.
5. Practice mindfulness and positive thinking like optimism and gratitude everyday.
6. Find an activity or hobby that you can become deeply involved in on a regular basis.
7. Identify your unique strengths and use them for a purpose that is greater than yourself.

“Faith is moving forward even when things don’t make sense, trusting that in hindsight…that everything will become clear and things will be exactly as they should be.” – Mandy Hale