Happiness is a lifelong pursuit that in a very special way unites people from all over the world How so? Well, no matter what the age, color or ethnic background is, most people want to be happy.
Some people spend their whole life searching for happiness and never really finding it because they are unwilling to step outside their comfort zone or are unwilling to change their perception of what happiness really is. For example, they are the ones who regret past decisions never made or past experiences never had.
Finding happiness requires knowing and understanding fundamental emotions and experiences that result in true happiness.
Finding happiness in giving
Have you ever given someone a gift? Do you remember the way it made you feel when the person responded with appreciation to your kind gesture? Perhaps you gave a deep and satisfied smile as you noted the expression of gratitude on the receivers face. If you have ever had that experience then you have discovered the path to happiness.
The amazing thing about giving is that the joy that comes from it is constant, unchanging and reliable. Even if the receiver does not have appreciation for the gift, the giver still finds joy and satisfaction in knowing that they did the right thing.
What if you are a person of little means and feel that you don’t have much to offer in the way of material things?
Well, giving of your time and energy to help others is just as effective. Yes, taking time out of your day to help someone in need will produce in you a deep sense of satisfaction and will increase joy and meaning in your life while adding something of worth and value to the community.
If you want to experience the joy of giving more often then you must give more often. This type of happiness is available to everyone daily regardless of age or social status.
Finding happiness in knowledge and wisdom
Most people go through their entire lives having people tell them what to do, what to think and what to believe. Challenging the accepted norms of society may not be popular but it may lead to greater personal happiness. How so?
People find joy in true understanding. Such understanding is only followed by knowledge and the application of that knowledge in ones life. For example, your teacher may have told you that 1+1 = 2. However, it was only when you tested out that information in class (the pursuit of Knowledge), and applied that knowledge on the test (application of knowledge / wisdom), that you experienced the joy that comes from knowledge.
Remember when Disney told you the story of Pocahontas? How valid is that story? When you do research you will discover that not only was Pocahontas a prisoner but that she was more than likely murdered for political reasons.
Remember when your religious teachers told you that Jesus was born on December 25? When you do research you will discover that December 25 was actually the date of a pagan celebration dedicated to the Roman Sun God and that birthday celebrations were considered pagan customs by Jesus and his followers.
Do you see how the pursuit of knowledge and the application of that information can change your entire life?
Pursuing knowledge and applying that knowledge in life can result in true happiness.
Finding happiness in forgiveness
Resentment can rob a person of inner peace and happiness. Our minds and hearts reflect on past things we’ve experiences and something that happened years ago may still produce in our hearts a measure of stress, anger, sadness and pain. Have you ever experienced that before?