Finding Happiness - Learn To Live Life and Love Life The Fun Way
One thing I have observed living in the Philippines is that people still know how to have fun. Happiness surrounds me in smiles, although people do have genuine and severe problems in their lives. Survival here is about survival. Happiness is about happiness while surviving with very little. Gather a few people together here, any time of the day, and a singalong may ensue. Relaxed, fun, and a symptom of happiness even in unhappy times.
There is no such thing as 100% happiness. Happy and sad times, short or long, may come and go. Treat the sad moments wrongly, and they may drag you into a prolonged unhappiness. If something happens you have no control over, do not to let it defeat you by pulling you into a new habitual unhappiness. There are ways you may train yourself to react better to problems, difficulties and events. Let’s have a look at some of the most frequently used ways of bringing cheer rather than sadness to your life, no matter how big your problems might seem.
1. Whatever your age, learn from a young child who gets comfort from cuddly toys. Surround yourself with cute things, like children themselves, or animals, or funny pictures of either. You will be instantly infected with their joy and innocence and, at least temporarily, a weight will be lifted from your shoulders. Children are also great teachers, even though they don’t realize it. Take their example, for a moment, and enjoy every single thing life has to offer you: like kicking a ball, making a brick tower and knocking it down, watching a small bird pecking at the ground. Watch the children's faces as you do those things with them. The joy of something simple and new. try to take a fresh look at the wonderful things you may have ignored.
2. Reward yourself. It never hurts to offer yourself a reward every now and then. After a long day struggling with problems your mind and body need some time off. Do one of your favourite things: stroll with your wife and children; have a videoke session with the children joining in; watch a nature programme and dwell on life's miracles. Fun moments will remind you of how life should be and this will motivate you even more to do your best and solve all problems as fast as possible, so that you can go back to fully enjoying life.
3. Find the courage to face whatever is worrying you. The worst idea is to lock yourself in and to start feeling sorry for yourself. Thinking about a problem for hours and hours will do you very little good, and you will no longer keep problems in perspective. It is time to take action and, even though it is hard, to take the first steps toward solving your difficulties, not dwelling on them as if they are permanent feature of your existence.
If you have a have a money problem and need professional help, for example, and you are afraid to go to a counsellor, just wake up one morning and do it. Don’t think about it, don’t analyze it, just do it. Once you get to the advisor's office, your mind will probably come up with a dozen good excuses to leave. Resist that temptation to walk out before seeing the advisor. The sooner you solve your problems, the less chances there are of letting them grow out of control.
4. Immerse yourself in a creative activity, such as painting or practising a new sport. This will keep your mind away from worrying all the time, and you will get some well-deserved relaxation. Seeing your friends is also a good method of eliminating stress and worries. You can try to combine the two and get involved, together with some friends, in a new and exciting activity. Physical activities work like a charm as they also grab the full attention of your mind. A tennis or football match won’t give you enough time to start having negative thoughts, as you will be focused on the action. Activities that involve your mind – such as chess, for example – are also effective, as long as they are fun and the competition factor is low.
By following the general guidelines presented above, you can reduce stress factors, and allow your mind and body to recharge their energy and respond better to any distressful influences.
