What Is Happiness?

Happiness is (deep down) what everybody wants. But what is happiness and how we bring it into our lives?

Happiness is being grateful. It’s not living with excess that makes you happy. Studies have shown that monetary things don’t make people any happier. People with or without certain things still have to search for true happiness. Yes, you can certainly be happy with having more, but if you let your happiness lie in the things themselves (money, big toys, a large home) you’ll eventually become less and less happy as the newness of these “things” wears off.

Instead, be grateful for what you have (whether you have less or more than you want and need). Be grateful that you have enough. When you practice gratitude it will be with you no matter what you have.

Happiness is a journey. Being in the present is a struggle for many people. “I’ll be happy when ______.” is the way most people live. They think they’ll be happy when they have a new home, when they lose weight, when they get that new car, when they meet the person of their dreams, when they move to a new city, etc.

If you aren’t happy now, you won’t magically be happy “when”. It all stems back to gratitude. Your journey is where you should find happiness. Not your destination. If you can be happy where you are right now, imagine how much happier you’ll be when you reach a goal or destination. Reaching goals should add to your happiness not make up your happiness.

Happiness is reachable. Have you ever heard someone say “I just want to be happy”? Have you ever said it yourself? We all do! We all just want to be happy.

Happiness is a reachable goal. In fact, you can have happiness today. Right now! You don’t have to wait around for it to manifest.

When you’re grateful for what you have, where you are and who you are, you create a state of happiness for yourself. The simple act of being grateful has that much power. Practicing gratitude daily has the power to bring things into your life that have felt out of reach in the past. It has the power to bring you happiness beyond belief.

Through gratitude, happiness is within reach.

What makes you happy? Comment below!