On the road to determining what happiness is and what happiness isn't, you may be surprised it's not exactly what you think.

2. A renewable goal
I t ’s n e v e r t o o l a t e t o d e c i d e t o b e h a p p y a g a i n .
You can make this decision over and over again. Make it
every day when you wake up, and make it again before
you go to sleep at night.
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3. Endless gratefulness
T h i n k o f a t l e a s t o n e t h i n g t o b e t h a n k f u l f o r e v e r y d a y.
Take the action of gratefulness even further. Say out loud and write
about what it is you are grateful for, and you will notice yourself
complaining less. After all, you cannot complain and give thanks at
the same time.
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4. Adjustment of expectations
I t ’s a l l i n t h e a t t i t u d e y o u h a v e w h e n e x p e c t a t i o n s a r e
n o t m e t .
You may have some momentary frustration, but then, you maybe
remember what happened was beyond your control. Accepting that you
cannot plan all outcomes can put you at ease. It will help you return to a
state of contentment.
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5. Independent of circumstances
S o m e p e o p l e s m i l e a l l t h e t i m e . Yo u w o u l d n e v e r k n o w
t h e i r g r i e f o r s t r u g g l e s b e c a u s e t h e y a l s o p u s h p a s t i t t o
r e t u r n t o t h e u n e n d i n g j o y t h a t i s p o s s i b l e i n s p i t e o f
a n y h a r d s h i p s .
This does not mean you will never feel sad, lonely, or never have stress.
However, learning how to make it through the fire without feeling the burn of
the tragedies you experience can help you return to happiness.
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6. A product of giving
C o m p a r e h o w y o u f e e l w h e n g i v i n g a g a i n s t h o w y o u f e e l
w h e n r e c e i v i n g . W h i c h c a u s e s y o u t o f e e l h a p p i e r ?
“I have had the joy of both giving and receiving. The satisfaction of giving
always is more fulfilling than it is when getting help or receiving gifts
from others.” –Julie, Be Happy Still
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