The film Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith and his son Jaden is one of my favorite films because it tackles the notion of happiness. Smith, who plays Chris Gardner, begins by talking about the American dream and its constituents; life, liberty, and happiness. Gardner wonders why they wrote pursuit of happiness instead of just happiness. As the film progresses, Gardner goes through many tribulations; he loses his entire savings, the wife leaves, and is forced to take care of his son amidst the chaos. Gardner pursues happiness almost the entire film, and the same applies to life.
There is a reason the American dream encompasses the pursuit of happiness instead of the pursuit of liberty or life. Happiness must be pursued all through life, and the pursuit only stops when we die. Do not get me wrong; you will be happy when you get that job or the huge salary you are looking for, then you will be sad again for long periods. You will want more, or your brain will divert to other aspects of life. After getting the job you will tie your happiness to getting a child, then you will need a bigger house, a better wife and many other things. Happiness is a continuous process that never ends until life does. However, those who train themselves to appreciate small wins and their surrounding are likely to live more fulfilling and happier lives. Today I will give you tips that will make you happier than many people, thus instigating a better life for you and your loved ones.
Find Happy Places and Smile More
Many use the 'happy place' caption on social media, especially when referring to loved ones or exotic destinations. In this section, I am talking about finding a significant other, thus sharing your life with another person. Many will be quick to assert that relationships are hard; hence love does not make sense anymore. Do not let conspiracy theories fool you; those who find love are happier than those who don't. They tend to smile more because they are generally happier, and love triggers the right hormones in the body.
Friends can also play this role if they are positive and welcoming. I have friends who will make you laugh whether you are in your sickbed or in the church altar. They are very funny, and I miss them when we go long without talking. It would help if you had such friends in your life since they will make you smile more, thus forgetting many bad things. I do not mean that they are the perfect friends, though, since they will hurt you sometimes, but you need to find common ground. Some people tell me, "Jack, I just like spending time alone away from everyone!" Are they accurate with this analogy? No, they are probably shy, timid, or depressed; hence they prefer to spend time away from everyone. Humans are social beings; thus, they are happier in the company of others. Please try to get some friends who can make you laugh; you are a human being, not a robot.
2. Cherish Little Moments
All of us strive for the big moments when we finally land the good-paying job, build that house or get the promotion we worked for our entire lives, but these dreams take along to come true. It is not realistic to live an unhappy life for ten or twenty years until you get the promotion you wanted. I hate to break it to you, but many have died without reaching their goals even though they worked hard for them. You do not want to regret the life you life because you tied your happiness to one thing.
Thence, I think it is important to cherish the times you spent with your son at the park and the family dinners that were amazing. Find a way to interact more in these functions, thus getting opportunities to smile. Take pictures to capture these moments as much as you can since they also count. Try to make the small wins count, thus outlining them publicly in social places with pride. That is a major gateway to living a happier life, whether you realize it or not. Also, those who cherish the little moments are likely to be happier when the big wins arrive compared to those who waited. Do not be surprised if you buy your dream car and sell it months later since you did not get the gratification you were looking for in the long run.
3. Be Active and Exercise
You will hear individuals lament about their busy schedules and the demanding jobs they have that seem to drain the life out of them. Today if you give these people enough money and resources for a lifetime, do you think they will sit in the house and watch TV for the rest of their lives? Most of them will be so bored they can end up running away from that lifestyle. That is because life is about activity and interactions that help the body function effectively. Those who are active tend to encompass healthy mental states compared to those who are idle. As asserted in the bible, "An idle mind ifs the devil's workshop."
Find a way to be active today, go for a walk or run if you barely have anything to do. Trust me, you will fell better after the exercise hence motivated to try again. Exercise naturally makes one happier since it refreshes an individual while improving body functionalities. Those who hate exercise can find a side hustle that makes them active and engaged at all times.
4. Enough Sleep and Meditation
My friends always say one cannot get rich if one sleeps eight hours a night, and I laugh so uncontrollably at their assertions. I know millionaires who sleep eight hours a night or even more, but they still get more successful as time passes by. Many people may disagree, but sleep has nothing to do with your success. You may train yourself to wake up early to be effective but it is also imperative to go to bed early. Research says those who get enough sleep are naturally happier.
The same applies to meditation, which helps one to reboot the system while focusing on inner feelings and positive vibes. My go-to meditation technique is to close my eyes when I am alone in a room and focus on my breathing. You can do that anywhere, but the quiet place is more advisable since they outline better results. The move will help you to clear the mind and increase the energy needed to succeed in daily endeavors. Mediation substantiates a refreshing feeling that is beyond what you have experienced in the past.
Advise
Cherish the little moments, enjoy the process, and you will be happier than many people who wait for the results years later. Many believe they will be happier when they become successful, and that is probably true, but please try and enjoy the journey. Note that the pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey that only ends when we die.
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