What is happiness?  It is different from person to person. 

If you look at happiness from a theoretical angle, Wikipedia describes it as the “mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy”. Whatever the definition, we know it when we are happy.

And happiness is important because the lack it often leads to negative emotions such as sadness or depression.  

Happy people share some common mindsets / outlooks of life. The good news is that these mindsets can be nurtured.

Here are five suggestions towards a happier you:

1. Be at peace with yourself.  It could mean finding meaning and acceptance of who you are and the life that you have lived.  Or it could be to let go of the regrets and heavy baggage of past relationships.  Or sometimes, it is as simple as just being less critical of ourselves and others.

2. Be grateful for what you have.  People who are happy focus on what they already have instead of lamenting on what they lack. Choosing to be grateful is a powerful tool to happiness. So the next time you catch yourself complaining about a lack, remind yourself of what you have going for you and thankful for it. It takes practice. But once you’ve sowed the seeds of gratitude, you will soon reap the fruits of happiness.

3. Make peace with God.  We believe in a loving and forgiving God.  Speak to Him and open your heart to Him, and you will find the joy within, knowing the He is there for you.  Free yourself of any self-condemnation and look to the Lord for forgiveness. And the feeling of relief is the stepping stone to happiness.

4. Nurture relationships with people you love and care about – especially family and friends.  Most people are happy simply by being around their loved ones.  Take the time to express that love, however simple the gesture may be. Even a simple phone call. When you do that, you will find the happiness returned a hundred times.

5. Have a sense of purpose in your life.  By purpose, I do not mean lofty ambitions or mountain-high goals.  Often times the sense of purpose from helping someone else in need can bring about joy – at any age.  You are never too young or too old to lend a helping hand to those in need.   There is often more happiness in giving than receiving.

The human heart, like anything else abhors a vacuum.  Filling it with joy and happiness will leave it no room for negative thoughts and darker worries. 

Everyone has the right to be happy, regardless of the circumstances.

We do not have to wait for situations or people to be perfect before we are happy, because nothing, and no one, is perfect (except God).  

So, follow the above suggestions for a heappier and healthier you!