Way to Happiness

Happiness is an important part of a success. Happy people are triumphant and contented. More importantly, they are themselves agents of happiness. They spread sunshine wherever they go. So, they can easily form successful relationships with those around them. In short, happiness is a factor that can make all the difference between success and failure.

It is in recognition of the importance of happiness in life that there is now a branch of psychology dedicated to it. If you look back at the history of psychology, you will see that at one time, psychologists were only treating mental illnesses. Then came a phase when they were caught up with what generates negative emotions. However, in the last 5-10 years there is more awareness of what makes people happy. This is due to a burgeoning movement called positive psychology . This science focuses attention on the strengths of people rather than their shortcomings. It studies the secrets that contribute to happiness, instead of distress and pain.

Positive psychologists have discovered that a large percentage of factors contributing to happiness is genetic and accidental. For instance, you have little control over what kind of family you are born into and what your financial circumstances are at the beginning of your life. Even so, every individual has control over 40% of the factors contributing to happiness. These factors include your personal attitude to life, your ability to see the bright side of things and your personal philosophy of life, among other things. If you can control these and align them to the path of happiness, you can easily take giant leaps towards happiness.

Some of the most powerful secrets of happiness are as follows:

Count your blessings: Do you remember the first time you drove a car? Do you remember the excitement and the feeling of pride? Now that you are regularly driving your car, you no longer feel the same happiness. Why? You have stopped counting your blessings! At one time, when the experience was new, you felt humbled by it. You were appreciative. But now that the experience is jaded, you no longer feel the same vibrant happiness. Stop taking your life, relationships, home and facilities for granted. For once, stop and tell yourself, �~Wow! My life is simply great. I have everything I need. I am the happiest person alive!’

Invest time in close relationships: Study after study has found that people in steady relationships live longer, are happier and feel more secure about themselves. Support and nurture close relationships.

Do some charity work: Helping others is important to human nature though most of us would like to think otherwise. When you see people in need and do something to relieve their pain, you will find your heart brimming with happiness.

Choose to be happy: These days, our tolerance level is very low. Even the smallest things irritate and distress us. Change this trend. Choose to be happy. When you feel the irritation mounting, think about the good things in your life.

Smile: This may seem silly but the simple act of lifting the corners of your mouth will put you in a happier frame of mind. You simply cannot smile and be unhappy.

PASSION

Have you ever really looked at the persons you know of who are great leaders? I'm talking about those individuals that have an almost infectious nature which seems to ignite a fire in those around them and pondered the question "How do they do it?" You just can't help but be in "Ah!" of their positive energy! They appear to have an "It" factor that every one picks up on and wishes to emulate. They are almost always in a good and jovial mood and it is quite evident that they have "The Midas Touch!" because nearly all they choose to involve themselves with turns to gold.

Their professional associates have not only a great respect for them, they often appreciate the relationships they share with these "Leaders" in a very genuine and regarding manner. These types of individuals also have a strong and loving bond with their children and spouse. They have a very close-knit circle of friends with whom they share their joy of living on many levels -on a regular basis. From Happiness to Tragedy, they never seem to "Jump Ship" no matter how rough the waters or how turbulent the winds, and they always are there to save the day with a warm word of encouragement or a kind gesture in times of trouble.

Although it could be explained away as "Some people have all the luck!" I believe that there is so much more to it than that. I believe that these types of individuals have a certain kind of integrity about the way they conduct themselves around others that creates a Win-Win situation for all. To elaborate further on this I want to point out the fact that these "Leaders"...

1.) ALWAYS share the glory for a job well done and they give all the credit to the network of people involved in the successful outcome when things are running smoothly... however, these stand-out leaders will solely take on full responsibility -holding only themselves accountable when things go awry, and they meet with failure.

2.) They have a strong sense of "Loyalty" and "Commitment" in all they do.

3.) They have yet a stronger understanding of "Right" and "Wrong".

4.) They will not waiver in their "Perseverance"", nor will they "Conform" to the masses.

5.) "Failure" is not only missing from their vocabulary, It is never even in their mind-set.

6.) Character is their barometer -it guides them in all they do.

7.) They truly stand in line with the very definition of the word "Integrity" -as being the firm adherence to a code or standard of "Values" and this is the only mode in which they operate.

I believe if you not only validate the important characteristics of the principles expressed above, but align your actions and behaviors -as well as your reactions and responses to these ideas you will change everything in your life in the long run, and become a "Leader" yourself! It also becomes possible for you to see that it all must be within us...or all will be without us. Life is not really about "Him","Her","They","Them","We",or "Us" before it is about "Me" and "I". I think that far too many people attempt to "Fill" their lives with Outside Rewards. Those "Rewards" range from the material, to the acquired, all the way to certain persons we become enamored with from the realm of friendship to the intimately romantic. When someone tries to rely on these "Outside" distractions -they often come up short in their sense of contentment and happiness...after all, isn't "Happiness" really an inside job? Isn't it really our own to create -or dispel? To cherish or to dismiss? Isn't that the impression you get from a real leader -that they too have figured this out for themselves? Don't you get the idea that "Leaders" know "How to happily achieve-vs-achieve to be happy!" and that fact also sets these folks out from the rest?

Perhaps the ultimate sign of true leader is his or her "Wisdom". Maybe being in union with the key factors outlined in this article along with really learning how to apply them in every venue of our lives -and by example we can all hold ourselves to a new and clearer way of being and becoming. Maybe, just maybe, the door to leadership is open to all those not only pursuing a greater outcome, but hoping also to never forget the great pleasure of the journey! We can all become the Great Leaders of our own lives while inspiring others to do the same! I for one believe just merely giving credence to the Idea of this has potential for igniting a fire within that can lead us forward in much the same way as true "Leader" would. Now... how's that for a good place to start?

Life Oppurtunities

We all have ways of testing opportunities that enter our lives. Some of us just dive right in based on feeling, others walk straight into what they know is right by a gut feeling or intuition. And if it's not gut feelings or emotions that are the tests of opportunities, it is the logical mind persuading us to ignore those feelings and emotions and test it with our reality of reason.

Most of us do not have a predetermined strategy for testing opportunities, or even more generally to test the actions we take and the choices we make in our lives.

There is an easier way to determine if our choices we make and the opportunities we receive 'pass the test'. This simple 32 word statement of business ethics was first created in the 1930s and used to turn around a failing company. These four questions were applied by each employee to each and to every minute detail of the company's workings. This little list of four questions from Rotary International, a humanitarian business organization, is the most widely printed, translated and reproduced piece of business ethics today:

"Of the things we say, think or do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

If we built businesses and our lives based on these very simple 4 questions we would be coming from a place completely the opposite of the competitive mind and the lack mentality. As you can see, these questions prompt you to choose what is true, fair, and good, making choices that can build friendships and goodwill. It helps us to see how the choices we make can be beneficial to all concerned.

Because of our societal influences, we most often are inclined to make choices and act based on a competitive mind. This comes from the perspective of lack, scarcity, and ultimately greed.

Any opportunity based on the model of competition and lack will simply not pass the test. Competition promotes strife. It embodies winning one spot, taking it away from all the other people who want it. It misleads people to believing there is only one chance for success, when in reality there is plenty for all.

The competitive model encourages people to rely on a source outside of themselves to give them what they need. This denies the power of their own ability to create what they want. This narrow focus shows they are choosing to ignore the possibility of creating this opportunity in their own lives, instead of trying to win the spot from millions of others.

This simple testing technique takes us completely out of the competitive mind of greed, scarcity and lack. It turns our thoughts and choices toward the positive, realizing there are opportunities we can take that can provide increase for all concerned.

I invite you to use these questions to test your actions and opportunities in your life. If you are seeking opportunity, these questions may help you see things in a different way. In doing this, perhaps you might find an opportunity in your life which truly allows you to benefit the world, while at the same time reaching whatever your dreams, goals, and desires are.