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Are you happy, or are you merely waiting for happiness to find you? Hollywood movie endings notwithstanding, happily ever after is a state that rarely occurs from no apparent reason. As is the case with just about everything in life, it sometimes takes a little work.
According to University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman, author of the book, "Authentic Happiness," only about 10 percent of what people reported as causing their happiness can be explained as differences in their circumstances. What does that mean? The bulk of what determines happiness is a person's thoughts and behaviors. Yes, you can learn how to be happy, or at least happier.
You might peg wealth or beauty as the common sources of happiness or living a vacation-filled and stress-free life. But, in reality, none of them confer lasting happiness.
It turns out happiness is the sum of one's life choices. People who are happy seem to intuitively know this, and their lives are built on the following pillars:
Devoting time to family and friends
Appreciating what they have
Maintaining an optimistic outlook
Feeling a sense of purpose
Living in the moment
So, if you're trying to live a happier life, it might pay to wait less and work more toward appreciating what you already have. It's never too late to stop and smell the proverbial flowers -- and maybe to pick a few while you're there.
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