Finding Happiness from Within

Take a moment if you will and think of all the things that would make you happy. In today's world most people would default to having more money. Aside from the financial aspect some people may simply want a better job, as in something they can actually enjoy. Some may want to travel the world while some strive to have better relationships in their lives. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, the idea is to simply become familiar with the things you want in life. The things you believe by obtaining would make you happy. From my perspective I feel there is nothing wrong with wanting any of these things. To some extent I feel we all desire these things. A better income, a job we enjoy, better relationships with family and friends. Who wouldn't want that? I will tell you as an absolute truth that you can have all of these things. You can have all of these things and more if you are willing to work for them.

What I am now going to tell you may go against conventional wisdom but if you take the time to understand this concept it could transform your view on life forever. This is the core philosophy that nothing outside of yourself can truly make you happy. Having more money and better relationships may make you feel content in the moment and give you a certain degree of pleasure but this is merely on the surface and true happiness is intrinsic. On the podcast I have mentioned on numerous occasions that the answer is always inside of you. I will continue to say this because it is an absolute truth! if you ask yourself the right questions you will always find your answer from within. The same goes for happiness because it is always inside you. You may be thinking, why would a motivational speaker be telling me that achieving my goals won't make me happy? The answer is because that motivational speaker is trying to deliver the message that you do not have to wait to have these things to be happy. In fact you do not need anything, all that is required is changing the lens which you choose view life through.

Have you ever experienced a moment of bliss? I have witnessed it in people in a multitude of different situations. Someone watching their team score the winning touchdown in the Superbowl, or someone excited for winning the main role in a Broadway play. There are many things in life that cause people to jump for joy. Things that move us so much that we forget everything, we forget about the bills we have to pay, or job we have that we don't like. We are in that moment and truly happy. That is the feeling and the truth about that feeling is that it can be taught. Yes you can literally train your brain to tap happiness on demand!

All too often I see people wallowing in their own misery because they are not where they want to be in life. Today especially as I feel we live in an age of entitlement where some feel that life owes them something. The truth is that we are wherever we are because of our actions and decisions, and if anything is truly owed then it it us who owe it to ourselves to go after the things we want. Nothing in life comes without hard work and discipline. Once you learn to take ownership of your life you should already start to feel better because you are no longer a victim of your circumstances. You are the architect of your dreams. So now that we understand this principle, how exactly do we find happiness within? I am glad you asked!

• Gratitude- Learn to develop it! I personally start my day with a journal and the first thing I write is a minimum of three things I am grateful for. I follow this with a meditation in which I continue to give thanks for the things in my life. Going through a tough time in my life has helped me truly be grateful for everything I have. Just waking up is a blessing. Gratitude and negativity can not both occupy your mind at the same time. Learn to focus your lens on the positive things in life. Even setbacks can have a positive message in them. Be grateful!
• Stay Inspired- listen to motivational podcasts, read motivational stories or quotes. find that thing that takes you out of a slump, for some it could be music or the thought of a loved one, remembering a triumphant event. The key is to find that thing whenever the negative thoughts start to creep in. Always go back to it. The more you do it, the more it will become second nature.
• Get Moving- Go exercise, go for a walk, jog or any other form of movement. One can not remain positive if their energy is stagnant. This is why one of the keys to success is staying healthy. A healthy body breeds a healthy mind. Learn to incorporate some form of exercise and take steps to ensure that you keep a healthy diet.
• Set Goals- It is no mistake that truly successful people are goal driven. You must have a plan to get to where you want to go. Think 10 years, then 5, the 1, then a month, a week, ...