15 Secrets of Genuinely Happy People
Every minute of every day you have the power to choose how you feel emotionally. Pretty powerful, right? The only way someone else has the power of your emotions is if you GIVE them that power. Have you ever heard the saying "No one can drive you crazy unless you give them the key?"
One day when dropping my kids off at day care, a four year old girl approached me and asked me quite frankly, "why are you happy all the time?" I had noticed her and her mother before and they were both very stoic people who rarely smiled much less laughed. She went on to say, "I saw you in your car this morning and you were laughing there too. You are ALWAYS laughing" Fact is, I have been asked this question too many times to count. I told her I was happy because I choose to be happy.
Happiness is a choice, and genuinely happy people make the choice to be happy, everyday. But what you may not know is that happy people face challenges, just like ordinary folk, but they challenge themselves, constantly, to live the wonderful life they know they deserve; filled to the brim with laughter and a positive outlook.
I don’t need to tell you that life isn’t all roses, and will sometimes bring you to your knees, but it is during these moments that happy people go to work on getting happy. If they look like they have it all together, they probably do, but that’s just because they’ve discovered the secrets to true happiness, and it lies within them.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “Why are they so happy all the time?”, here are a few reasons:
1. They haven’t lost their childlike wonderment.They are children at heart! They live, laugh and love with the infectious playfulness of a person untainted by a harsh world. It’s this approach to life that keeps them inquisitive and creative, and let’s face it, makes them so much fun to be around!
2. They have learned to say no.
It sounds strange, but saying “no” doesn’t come easy for some people. Especially if you’re the type who loves to make others happy. However, genuinely happy people don’t buy into the idea of keeping others happy if you’re always down as a result. They exercise their right to say no, and do so in an assertive manner, that neither takes away from their relationships, or their own happiness.
3. They love life.
With all its ups and down, in and outs and highs and lows, life for the sincerely happy person is an adventure that we would all do well to appreciate. The scars and bruises makes us appreciate the smiles and glories more.
Understanding this, they don’t fight life, but take it for what is. They do what they need to do to make life enjoyable, productive and worthwhile, but they know that to truly appreciate the journey, sometimes you have to sit back and enjoy the ride!
4. They embrace differences.There’s one thing all humans have in common: we are all different! Genuinely happy people are aware of these differences, be it race, religion sex, views or any other differences that may set us apart from one another.
They do not try to negate those differences but rather, embrace them, and celebrate them. For the genuinely happy person, the world would be an utterly boring place if we were all the same!
5. They embrace their flaws.
For them, being perfectly imperfect, is perfect! They’ve come to terms with who they are and have accepted their flaws, quirky and all. They know it is all just a part of what makes them special. They understand there is no such thing as perfection, and have not only stopped chasing it, but discovered imperfections are okay.
6. They avoid stress in their lives.
Whether it’s through meditation, getting away, or through a creative outlet, genuinely happy people actively go out of their way to avoid any unnecessary stressful situations, and move on from them as quickly as possible.
This is in no way avoidance, but a strategy which allows them to concentrate on the things that truly matter, and stops annoying little stresses from turning into something far greater.
7. They exercise.
What better way to get happy than to do something that releases those naturally happy chemicals from within. They have tapped into the world of healthy living and exercise not just to look good, but because it makes them feel even better! Whether they’re running outdoors, or getting in those reps at the gym, the happy person knows the benefits of those wonderful endorphins.
8. They know they’re enough.
They don’t need the latest or the greatest, and they don’t attach their self-worth to external things. They’ve learnt that no one thing can make them happy or make them feel fulfilled. In relationships, they have a, “take me as I am” attitude.
9. They don’t judge.
They have no need or want in judging others, because they don’t like to be judged themselves. They prefer to let others live their lives as they wish. Worrying about what others are doing, or not doing, is unnecessary and time consuming, and only leaves the person judging with a false sense of superiority.
The happy person has no need for that, and would prefer to use their time to uplift others rather than tear them down.
10. They know how to refocus.
Whatever problem they are facing, there is always another way to look at things. By refocusing, they can approach a difficult problem with fresh eyes. Refocusing offers new perspective, and with a new perspective comes a new solution.
11. They’re not happy all the time.
Let’s be honest, nobody is happy all the time, and with good reason. It’s the down that shows us the beauty of the ups. The genuinely happy individual knows this and allows themselves to feel sad or down, naturally.
12. They love to laugh.The happy person sees the fun, and funny side of life and aims to always look on the bright side. They are truly joyous in laughter and can make even the stony faced individual crack a smile. They know there’s no better healer, along with time, than laughter. It not only lifts their spirits but does a lot to make an otherwise stressful situation easier to manage.
13. They ask for help.
They know that asking for help doesn’t make you weak, and so they don’t feel weak, or otherwise, in asking for help. Instead, they see it as an opportunity to get another perspective on an idea or a situation, or for someone to help share the heavy load.
They realise they may not always have the answer, or strength, to do all things on their own and so welcome a helping hand, or friendly advice as though it were a gift. They know asking and receiving help takes nothing away from who they are, but can only add to their life and experiences.
14. They bear no grudges.
The happy person does not hold on to past hurts or anger. Instead they prefer to let go of the pain, and move on with life. There’s no better way to destroy happiness than to carry around old baggage that inevitably weighs you down. The genuinely happy person knows this and so they acknowledge the hurt and pain, forgive and dust themselves off, and move forward, happier and lighter.
15. They encourage others.
They are genuinely happy to see others happy and living their lives to their full potential. It genuinely makes them happy to see others thriving, and so they do all they can to support and encourage those they love and care about. They are also encouraged by others successes, not jealous. It’s a win-win!
I hope that this gives you some ideas and awareness because life is too short to be anything but happy!
Source: Adapted from COMMUNICATION MOTIVATION BY PATRICIA OSEI-OPPONG
