2. What are the critical ingredients for experiencing genuine
happiness? Here are seven elements of life that I believe are
essential to the attainment of human happiness. I call them the "7
C's in the pursuit of happiness." One is not more important than any
of the others.
3. In order to evolve into a state of happiness,
you must develop your in-born ability to care
about life, to value life in all its forms, to
engage in loving, kind actions, to cultivate
an attitude of what Nobel laureate, Dr.
Albert Schweitzer called "reverence for life,"
(including your own).
4. Inner calm. Peace of mind and heart does
not mean acceptance of everything that
happens. It does mean letting go of fear.
When you live life fearlessly, you experience
a kind of peace that permeates every cell of
your body, every thought of your mind, every
emotion of your heart, every element of your
spirit.
5. Without effectively connecting to other
humans, you become less than human
yourself. Connection means involving
yourself in relationship to everyone around
you, connecting to your own inner life, and
becoming aware of the environment in which
you live. Learn to create high-quality
relationships, and your happiness is almost
guaranteed.
6. Communication is our primary method for
connection. It increases your knowledge,
your understanding, and your awareness.
Language is precious. Words are the building
blocks of all happiness.
7. Oprah Winfrey says that what motivates her
to get up in the morning is "my commitment
to my life and fulfilling my life purpose." If
one of your life's purposes is to enhance your
happiness, committing your life to the
service of others brings more happiness than
you can imagine. Happiness requires you
commit yourself to something larger than
yourself.
8. Most spiritual teachers believe we are living
in a sleep-like or dream state. In order to be
happy, one must increase one's awareness of
life. And the single awareness that is most
conducive to happiness is: the impermanence
of everything. Life is in a constant state of
flux, of change, of rhythm and of evolution.
9. Creating your life experience by consciously
choosing your thoughts, your actions, your
decisions and your attitudes will allow you to
attain personal happiness regardless of
external circumstances.
10. The pursuit of happiness is not something you
search for or attain from outside your skin.
Happiness develops from within. You were
born to be happy. You were given life to
experience happiness. Pursuing it is your
right. Sail the 7 C's of happiness and the
pursuit of it becomes obvious and being alive
becomes the happiest of moments.