How to be happy

[skysidhe]

Lately I've been thinking about how to make a life change. I think this will bring me happiness.?It may not but I am in the pursuit of happiness. Things are going well and it is time for me to look out for me. I've been so stoic in the past just as a survival mechanism now I have a new lease. My situation is changing just in time for my mid life -non- crisis. The crisis is behind me. It's a new feeling.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I know there have been disagreements with this theory in the past, but I have found Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory to fit in very well for me even though it isn't a perfect match. The theory states that the highest level is self-actualization and assumes that when one reaches that level, he or she will reach their greatest potential for happiness and other aspects of life.


Skipping the physical and security needs, what has worked for the people here and how have they changed as you guys have aged? Reading, sharing ideas, constantly reflecting on my life, and analyzing the world around me have worked best for me.



And yes, I do know that I will never be constantly happy, the up and downs of life are very important and I realize that.

I think my last post answers a small bit of your question. I think as a parent a person can put all of their energy just making things 'right' because they are not. Needs met is a bit motivator but what happens when the children grow up? One needs something else to be motivated about. The only thing that I can see that needs improvement now is me.
I have raised a wonderful kid. He is getting top scores and he has great wisdom and strength. It's a new day. It's a new day for me too.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I disagree. Too many people take responsibilty for things they are unable to affect. That said, lots of people take little responsibility for things they can affect. I think that knowing what you can and cannot affect and taking responsibility accordingly is important for happiness.

Yeah, maybe I was being unclear. I was referring to things that happen to you which may not be your fault, but you try to ignore them hoping that they'll go away or someone else who actually caused the problem will fix it. It's that sort of 'live and let god' mentality that I'm referring to. I've found if I take responsibility for a lot of stuff I would otherwise ignore, things tend to sort out better.

Then again, maybe I'm just one of those people who thinks everything is my fault.

[Cicero]

I just spent 40 minutes on a good post and lost it. I knew I wasn't qualified to speak about this topic!! Aaah!

No really, I'll have to come back to this again.....after I learn pateince.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Cicero

I just spent 40 minutes on a good post and lost it. I knew I wasn't qualified to speak about this topic!! Aaah!

No really, I'll have to come back to this again.....after I learn pateince.

Cicero's guide to happiness:
Reach 1,000 posts before Zengum ... no matter what you have to post to do it.

Love ya Cic.

[TheMercenary]

Another variation on what some have said: figure out a way for someone to pay you to do your hobby and make a living out of it.

[Cicero]

Zen....I haven't even posted photos of the tick my balls yet.....quit complaining!


I haven't even posted photos of my ass or started a thread about it.....jesus...you are too new to be this hard to please.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Cicero

Zen....I haven't even posted photos of the tick my balls yet.....quit complaining!


I haven't even posted photos of my ass or started a thread about it.....jesus...you are too new to be this hard to please.

Hey, Monster asked me for that photo. It was just there to draw attention to my "You sound like a horny moose" thread.

It was all meant in fun.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Another variation on what some have said: figure out a way for someone to pay you to do your hobby and make a living out of it.

Nah, that's just a good way to take the fun out of a hobby.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by glatt

Nah, that's just a good way to take the fun out of a hobby.

Who cares if they are paying you for it.

[piercehawkeye45]

But you can lose control over what you are doing.

[Stormieweather]

I believe the secret to happiness is to create it within and stop looking externally for something/someone else to give it to you. I firmly believe that no one can 'make' another person happy or unhappy, it is your reaction to their behavior that is the source of your emotions. Learned reactions can be retrained and changed, if you work at it.

Internal happiness generally starts with acceptance of your strengths, weaknesses, triumphs and failures. An intimate knowledge of your inner self is necessary. Surround yourself with people and things that enhance your life rather than diminish it. Be assertive in getting your needs met and don't be afraid to say no when potential situations will be detrimental to your well-being.

Works for me.

Stormie

[xoxoxoBruce]

Kill everyone that annoys you.

[toranokaze]

You should wake up each day and give thanks to the Great Spirit, and if you find no reason to give thanks than the fault lays only with you

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Kill everyone that annoys you.

*Kill everyone that is "intolerably irritating" ...