7 Steps to Happy!

Most phychologist have long stated that we are born with a happiness 'set point'. That meant that we could win the lottery and a year later they could come back and test an individual and usually found the person at the orginal level of happiness. Conversely (and this amazed me) a person could become a quadraplegic and a few years later they were usually back at the happiness set point. That's some strong programming we were born with!

Recently, in the new field of 'Positive Physcology' it has been demonstrated that it is quite possible to change your set point. Here are the seven techniques most recommended (your Cole's Notes version)

Choose Happiness As Abe Lincoln said, "people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be". For various reasons, some of us decide (usually through guilt or fear) that we want to hang on to all the negative crap we've accumulated. But if you want to improve your level of happiness, it is pretty obvious that you need to make a conscious decision to up the ante.

Gratitude Learning to be happy with what you have and not postponing happiness until you get some material thing or reach some goal. In a recent study the test subjects were asked to think of 3 positive things that had happened in their day before they went to sleep at night. Every single person tested, moved their set point upwards. And almost everyone found it so effective and pleasureable that they continued the process long after the study was over.

Forgive I've already written about why forgiveness is so powerful.

Be aware of negative thoughts and feelings These are big time happy killers. Some people can get so wrapped up in their feelings of being mistreated that they make the injustice totally out of whack with reality. Let them go!

Friends People who report having good friends to socialize and have personal conversations with are always happier. It takes effort to have good friends and it is so worth that effort for your happiness and your health.

Meaningful activities This one is for those of us who want to reach even higher levels of happiness than most people. Helping others by way of giving your time, effort and perhaps sharing some of your wealth can bring you levels of authentic happiness not previously experienced.

See being happy is fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance.

Eduardo