Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness

Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness
Enlightened spirituality really means a spiritual awakening, or illumination as the result of something. In this case, that 'something' is happiness. What is really interesting is that happiness is the result of spiritual well being. Happiness also results IN spiritual well being. Happiness-the kind that runs deep and steady (joy) is a goal for all of us who want to live a life with passion and UMPH. The kind of life that can be looked back on as something 'special' that really impacted others.
Enlightened Spirituality: What else do you need to know?
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness: Why Aren't We All Happy?
Could it be that we don't really know what will make us happy? Scientific research tells us this is true. Of course we know what will make us happy, right? Then again, if we were such experts at this, wouldn't we ALL be happy? This sets us up for disappointment. We assume that certain events or people will make us happy. Then, when it doesn't work out that way (because it cannot, of course) we are certainly not happy. Why can't events or people make us happy? Because that kind of happiness is fleeting. The kind of happiness we actually yearn for is the deep, steady happiness known as joy. Some would not even refer to happiness as joy at all, but for our purposes, we will. Just remember that the goal is deep and steady happiness.
What is the opposite of happiness? BOREDOM!
EXCITEMENT = HAPPINESS
Strive to chase and share excitement, and you may just experience perpetual happiness.
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness What Does a Happy Person Look Like?
THEY:
Devote time to family and friends
Express gratitude with comfort
Help others
Feel Optimistic about their future
Live in the present moment and savor the pleasure
Make physical activity a routine part of their lives
Learn where their passion lies and follow their hearts-consistantly
Cope well with challenges
Love openly
What Does Happiness Look Like?
If you look closely, you may even see a smile! This is my little pup when she was truly just a pup. She loved going to the beach. Her name is Trixie and I believe she fits the above description of a happy 'person'. In fact, dogs (and many other animals) are truly joyful. We should strive to be more like them!
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness
Permanent changes take some 'work' and at first, some conscious behavior changes. The payoff is worth it, though.
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness: Why should you care?
Science tell us that happy people have:
Longer more secure relationships
Strong network of friends
More productivity in their job
Better leadership and negotiation skills, and make more money as a result.
Great physical health
Longer lives
That's Why you should care about happiness!!!
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness
Money and Happiness: Which came first?
Will all else being equal, studies show that happy people make more money than unhappy people. The happiness came before the money! Money does not create happiness-it helps, of course, but the basic deep, steady happiness for life even if things aren't so great, was there first. In fact, truly happy people don't see things as 'not so great.' Because happy people are quite grateful, their perspective is much more positive.
Does Money and the Quest for it Cause Unhappiness?
No, however if the quest is for more money and not for the joy of it, then how can there be joy? The quest must be meaningful and the journey itself must be joyful. Happiness FIRST and then Money will follow. Materialistic people sometimes miss this. Things do not bring long lasting joy and happiness, but it won't last. When we say "happy" we aren't really looking for temporary happiness, are we? Let's make this more clear!
Enlightened Spirituality and Happiness 7 Steps to Real Happiness
1. Be patient with yourself. This kind of change takes time.
2. Be confident that you can feel joyful more hours of the day and more days of the year.
3. Be optimistic (little optimism versus big optimistic). Start with little optimistic ways and grow to bigger ones.
Big optimistic behavior: There will be world peace soon. Small optimism: I will be happy today no matter what happens because I am optimistic about my life.
4. Express Gratitude every day-even and especially about the little things. Choose 3 things you are grateful for and write them down everyday. Simple is fine. An journal example might be a message about how you found the perfect lipstick color. Simple, but hey-a real great thing. If you write 'I found the perfect lipstick color FINALLY' then you still have some negativity even within your spirit of gratitude.
5. Be positive-find the silver lining in every cloud and focus on those. It is tempting to go to the dark side, but don't do it.
6. Look for it. Can't find it? Don't beat yourself up. Smile and feel that smile and move on with joy.
7. Resist the urge to compare yourself or your situations with anyone. That just complicates everything. If we aren't yearing for something more, that which we have is more than enough.
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