Wouldn’t life be simple if you only had to achieve three things that would make you happy and complete?
We are often taught that happiness is found in working hard, being a success in your chosen career and most of all – being rich. The assumption is that if you meet the first two requirements then you will automatically be rich. Great emphasis is placed on the fact that you will be happy if you are rich.
Society tends to define rich as one which involves great possessions/finances/positions of power or fame. Perhaps a better definition for the word rich would be – to be able to meet any given need at any given time?
Wouldn’t you agree that you are poor if you cannot answer a question with wisdom?
What if somebody approached you for guidance yet you were just as much in the dark as the questioner?
I think that we’ve been so indoctrinated and influenced by the media, and our way of life that when we hear the word rich we automatically equate it to finances.
I do agree that riches can make your life a lot easier or more comfortable but if that’s what you are basing your happiness on then you are off-balance.
All I have to do is remove your source of income or put you in some calamitous situation, which depletes all your reserves, and all of your happiness will be gone.
I truly believe that we can all be happy if we strive for these three things:
Someone to Love.
Isn’t this the foundation of all humanity?
How many songs, novels and movies are inspired by love, either aspired or unrequited?
The requirement is someone, not something, to love.
Substitution works but it’s nothing compared to the real thing.
Society has twisted perceptions about love resulting in industries that amass fortunes from it. The slimming industry, fashion, cosmetics, bodybuilding, and dating sites are some examples of selling love.
You need to be slim, attract their eye; look good and someone will love you.
Love is the strongest good emotion we can feel.
You’ve got a built-in genetic template that craves love and attention.
You were never designed to be alone.
Think about the first time you really fell in love.
Wasn’t that the best feeling you ever had? Food lost its appeal and the world looked so much better.
Problems melted away and life was a pleasure. You were happy!
Something To Do.
Look at the people in the unemployment queues and see whether they are happy. Take away a person’s job and watch their self-worth/image erode away.
I’ve seen times where a person has gone on pension and died soon after.
Isn’t that what they’ve worked their whole life for?
Yet when they had nothing to do they stopped living.
How many times have you heard the words – “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do.”
In this instantaneous world of “˜I want it now”, it’s very easy to have nothing to do. You’re constantly entertained and have forgotten how to keep yourself occupied.
Find something to do – something that you believe is worthwhile and I guarantee you will be happy!
Something To Hope For.
Hope is another building block in your life.
One of the things you will often hear is – “I hope so.”
Hope is always in the future and it’s something we want to happen.
You hope you’ll lose weight when you go on a diet, pass your examinations, fall in love, win the lottery and that your dreams will come true.
All your hopes should be positive in nature because only a professional pessimist will expect the worst.
Proverbs says hope deferred makes the heart sick.
No hope = nothing to look forward to, no goals to achieve and nothing to dream about. Hopeless.
If only one of these things can make you feel happy, imagine achieving all three?
The Complete Formula:
Be in love with someone whilst doing something worthwhile with hopes of a better future.
Try one of the following for a quick happiness fix if all else fails.
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favourite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (or vanilla … or strawberry!)
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Finding money in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Eye contact with a hot member of the opposite sex.
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you’re beautiful/good looking.
23. Laughing at an inside joke.
24. Friends.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies (and eating them!)
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38. Holding hands with someone you care about.
39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the expression on someone’s face as they open a much-desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you’ve done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
– Unknown