What Makes You Happy Part 1
What makes you happy; easy question, right? Harder to answer though isn’t it? Hmm…let’s think; having all the things you want would do the trick, or would it?
Let me ask you this question. Has there been a time in your life you thought, “If only I can get this (person, place or thing) I will be happy”? You may have gotten your heart’s desires. Then after time you find yourself still not completely happy. So what could be missing that is causing your unfulfilled happiness?
What Can You Learn From This
People, places and things can increase your happiness (some for a lifetime) but they can’t make you happy. If you are not happy within yourself no one nor nothing will totally bring you happiness. There are various aspects of happiness. Of the many things that make us happy the following is one of most importance.
Drum Roll Please…
What is this mysterious characteristic of happiness you want to know as you wait patiently with gritty anticipation?
Gratitude
Why is gratitude so important you might ask? Because if you aren’t grateful for the things you have right now then how will you be grateful for anything else you might gain. When you feel grateful for what you have you are happy for having it. You see it as precious a gift that you are blessed with. When you see or have a gift and feel grateful for it you can’t help but be happy.
Those not practicing gratitude might say something to themselves like, “I don’t want to hear someone telling me that I have food and so many don’t”. Be careful, you know the old saying you don’t miss something until it’s gone. Most never expected to become hungry or homeless in their lifetime, but sometimes things happen and many are left without even the very comforts of home.
Take a minute and really think about all the things you have in your life right now. Look around. Now how many things or people for that matter would you miss if they weren’t there tomorrow? Unfortunately we sometimes take for granted the most precious gifts that are in our midst at this very moment.
Life Is Like a Sliced Pie
Here is an illustration for you; visualize your life as a pie. Each slice represents a part of your life. Here are just a few of the slices:
• Love
• Health
• Job
• Home
• Family
• Money
Sometimes there will be pieces missing that you wished you had. One of the above mentioned slices you may not have at the moment. Continue looking and you will see that there are still many pieces that you do have right now. Who knows, the slots missing may soon be filled with many new surprises and blessings.
What are your slices of pie?
Here is an activity that you can do at home. Make a list for yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for. It will help you see the pieces of your pie and help you to realize the many blessings that you may not have thought about until you listed them.
Parts of your life will not always be as you want it to be but there will be so many parts that are if you learn to see things with gratitude. Practicing gratitude is what can really make you happy.
This post is just one a two part series. Check out What Makes You Happy – Part 2 and find another element that will assist you with your discovery process and continuing on your path for positive personal growth.
