We All Want a Happy Life Essay Example
We All Want a Happy Life Essay Example

We All Want a Happy Life Essay Example

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  • Pages: 8 (2125 words)
  • Published: October 13, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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We all desire a happy life and acknowledge the preference for a positive attitude over a negative one. However, sometimes we are drawn towards negativity. So, how can we establish a more positive attitude as a daily habit? Here are 5 steps to achieving a happy life with a positive attitude:

Step 1: Recognize that Happiness is a Choice
Initially, it was challenging for me to believe this. I used to categorize people as either happy or unhappy and considered myself one of the unhappy ones. I would blame external factors such as destiny, experiences, parents, and relationships for my unhappiness. However, I never stopped to contemplate the fact that I could choose to be happy. Though it may not always be easy, it is always an option. Teaching myself to understand that happiness is a choice has been empowering. Now when faced with dif

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ficult situations, I know it's up to me to find the positive and remain happy regardless of circumstances.

Step 2: Eliminate Negativity from Your Life
If you want lead alife full of positivity,you cannot have negative people surrounding you who do not support your happiness .When I used to have a negative mindset,I often attracted other negative individuals into my life.
To introduce more positivity into my life, I made the difficult decision to remove negative people and things. Although it was painful to end relationships that weren't beneficial for me or my lifestyle, eliminating negativity also meant giving up behaviors that caused negativity. I had to evaluate which behaviors were helpful and focus on the positive ones while letting go of the negative ones. This process is ongoing, as allowing negativity prevents living a truly

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positive existence. Step 3: Looking for the Positive in Life involves recognizing the positive aspect of everything, every person, and every situation. Sometimes this requires diligent searching as it may not be obvious at first glance. In the past, I would passively accept things without actively seeking out positivity. Instead of putting effort into finding good or thinking positively, I would embrace negativity when faced with it. My tendency was to accept what I saw and usually focus on the negative aspects.When faced with a challenging situation, I make a point to identify the positive aspects. Regardless of how difficult it may appear, taking the time to reflect allows me to find something good. To strengthen this mentality within myself, I actively practice positivity and adopt a positive attitude. It is crucial for me to be honest yet shift my focus onto the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. Daily reminders of my positive qualities are essential, as is sharing happiness with others. This promotes the true impact of adopting a positive mindset.

Sharing positivity with the world is necessary, and one way to do so is by displaying kindness towards everyone, regardless of circumstances. Such acts include complimenting appearances, acknowledging great presentations, expressing love and admiration for family members, uplifting those feeling down through gestures like sending flowers or writing notes, refraining from gossiping, and demonstrating kindness towards all living beings. Although these actions may seem basic, they were not easy for me in the past. Previously critical and condescending towards myself and others; however now I strive to encourage and support while treating others kindly as I would want to be treated.

People appreciate

positivity; thus sharing it reinforces its presence in my own life. It's important to remember that if someone like me could transform their life using these steps toward cultivating a positive attitude; then you can too!A few years ago, I would have found it laughable to write about positivity in the universe and living a happy life. However, today I believe in these words and know that each day brings me closer to achieving the happy life I've always dreamed of. If I can do it, so can you. Have faith in yourself and remember that having a positive mindset is a choice - choose to be positive; choose to be happy. Life may be short, but throughout history our ultimate goal has been survival.

Julia Hobsbawm, author of The See-Saw: 100 Ideas for Work-Life Balance, advises us to adjust our expectations and make the most of what we have. Instead of striving for perfectionism, she suggests aiming for good enough. It is important to compare our family only to our values and what we believe is best for them.To achieve work-life balance, embracing flexibility is the obvious and most effective solution.

Flexible working provides a sense of freedom that is essential for self-fulfillment.Employees now have the right to request flexible working arrangements; however, employers must have valid reasons if they refuse them. Nonetheless, there is concern that not physically being present at your desk for eight hours a day may lead others to think you are not pulling your weight.Hobsbawm believes that as more employees work flexibly, this stigma will decrease.Therefore,it's crucialto set a positive example by showing colleagues how much can be achieved through flexible

work arrangementsWorking from home offers a more accurate evaluation of achievements compared to appearing busy in an office. A study by Brigham Young University analyzed 24,000 IBM employees and discovered that individuals with flexible work arrangements could handle up to 57 hours per week before their personal lives were affected. On the other hand, traditional employees could only manage up to 38 hours per week. Additionally, the AA noticed a significant increase in productivity when specific call-center staff worked remotely.

Effectively managing your workload entails learning how to politely decline additional projects. Politely declining showcases accomplishments and prevents being taken advantage of. Giving equal importance to personal life and work commitments involves relinquishing unnecessary obligations like cleaning or attending events. Are we prioritizing living over working or vice versa? According to Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin's book Your Money or Your Life (1992), confusing work with paid employment leads us to seek fulfillment solely from our jobs. They argue that fulfillment can be derived from all forms of work, including domestic responsibilities.

Understanding the difference between work and employment is crucial. We should question which type of work brings us fulfillment and consider how our paid employment can help us achieve it. It may be necessary to have a job that brings intrinsic fulfillment or opt for a less demanding job while supporting other passions financially.
The appeal of turning hobbies into professions may decrease. Even if we cannot change our job, understanding its purpose and managing expectations can provide clarity. Research suggests that spending time in nature can reduce stress. A study from the University of Bristol shows that touching friendly bacteria in soil has a similar

effect to taking antidepressants. Moreover, mental health charity Mind found that 94% of individuals who engage in green activities like gardening feel it helps alleviate depression. Gardening, fishing, or jogging allows us to reconnect with nature's seasons and rhythms, giving us a sense of purpose as we witness plant growth. Nicola Carruthers, CEO of Thrive, highlights the life lessons gardens teach us about cycles: "things die but things come back." Organizations like Thrive support disabled individuals through gardening activities to offer solace and uplift spirits. Even without a garden or space for planting seeds directly, observing their growth in a field can still have a positive impact. Separating work and home by visiting a nearby green area after work is also important. Maintaining optimism is crucial as studies on lottery winners from the 1970s revealed no difference in happiness levels one year later compared to those who hadn't won.This article discusses the concept of hedonic adaptation, which suggests that our level of happiness remains relatively stable regardless of positive or negative events. While genetics may partially influence our baseline happiness, it is largely influenced by our mindset. To achieve lasting happiness, it is important to improve one's attitude towards life. The article provides ways to boost happiness, starting with trusting instincts. A study showed that following intuition led to greater satisfaction with choices compared to analytical thinking after two weeks. However, it is important to note that some decisions have a temporary impact on happiness when options are similar. When faced with two or three options, it is advised to choose what feels right and proceed without regret. Embracing the 3 C's of life -

choices, opportunities, and changes - is crucial for achieving happiness as making choices plays a role in seizing opportunities and bringing about necessary changes in life. Additionally, earning enough income (at least $40,000 per year in the US) is essential for meeting basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.Nevertheless, once an individual surpasses a certain income threshold, having more money does not guarantee an increase in happiness. This can be observed through the experiences of lottery winners who, despite acquiring substantial wealth, did not find themselves experiencing greater levels of happiness. Instead of solely focusing on income levels, true contentment lies in maintaining a positive outlook and cultivating close relationships with friends and family. If feasible, considering relocating closer to loved ones for quality time together can also contribute to overall happiness. While prioritizing salary increases may lead to greater satisfaction in our mobile society characterized by frequent job relocations, it is crucial to prioritize relationships with loved ones over career choices. When contemplating a move, it is important to evaluate its impact on personal happiness. Research suggests that a salary increase exceeding $100,000 USD would be necessary to compensate for the decreased happiness resulting from being away from loved ones. However, if relationships with friends and family are unhealthy or non-existent but there is still a desire to travel, selecting a location where earning a similar income as those around you is possible may contribute to feeling more financially secure and happier. Ultimately, finding fulfillment in one's current job involves embracing positivity and building strong connections with others.The impact of optimism and relationship quality on overall satisfaction outweighs that of the nature of work.

While a fulfilling job is important, it alone cannot bring true meaning to life. True fulfillment derives from meaningful interactions with loved ones. Although occupation can influence happiness to some extent, its effect is relatively minor compared to one's overall perspective on life and relationships with others.

A survey conducted among college students indicated that forgiveness has positive effects on cardiovascular health. It is believed that forgiveness can reduce stress perception and assist in heart healing. Additionally, developing friendships with individuals who share similar interests or religious beliefs can greatly enhance overall life satisfaction.

In 2010, Harvard researchers conducted a study which discovered that regular church attendance correlates with higher levels of life satisfaction compared to non-attendance. The quality of friendships formed within the church community was identified as the primary factor contributing to this increased satisfaction. Interestingly, individuals who attended church without close friends there were no happier than those who never attended at all.

However, individuals with an equal number of close friends experienced greater life satisfaction if they had close friends from their church community.Therefore, it is important to form friendships based on shared interests and beliefs and consistently interact with these bonds. If attending church is not your preference, it is crucial to find a community with similar interests. Discover something you are passionate about and connect with friends who share that passion. Acknowledge what brings you happiness since everyone has different needs in attaining it. Embrace your uniqueness and do not be concerned if your desires differ from others'. Develop a plan to achieve goals that will bring you joy as pursuing them improves both mood and self-worth. Surrounding yourself with happy people

benefits as their positivity is contagious. Instead of focusing on problems, focus on finding solutions. Take time each day to think about things that bring you joy as this helps maintain happiness. Also, make sure to take daily time for yourself by indulging in tiffin, taking a relaxing bath, or focusing on appearance for extra minutes. These actions can unconsciously improve mood. Finding humor in situations can also lead to happiness while still being appropriate when seriousness is needed. Taking care of health is another way to achieve happinessBeing overweight or consuming unhealthy foods can have a detrimental impact on your mood. Moreover, engaging in physical activity has been found to trigger the release of endorphins, which contribute to feelings of joy and contentment. Ultimately, it is essential to acknowledge that you are worthy of happiness. Those who believe they do not deserve happiness may unknowingly hinder their journey towards achieving it. If necessary, create a daily affirmation affirming your deservingness of happiness and outline the steps you will take to attain your desired level of happiness.

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