Happiness Blog

Habitually happy people consciously choose their moods and their attitudes, they like to enjoy all life has to offer.

They don’t want to waste time in bad, unhappy, non productive moods or mental states.

They decide what they are going to do and they consciously decide to enjoy it. They manage their actions and their attitudes very effectively.

They don’t continually look outside of themselves for happiness. They create their own joy though their actions, appreciation and their achievements.

This is a very different perspective from people who continually seek happiness outside of themselves. When they can’t find it, they are often disappointed and dejected. Some retreat into a mythical sort of lotus land to find some semblance of happiness and bliss.

Enduring Happiness is not a retreat from reality but a different perspective on reality.

• It’s knowing we are truly at our best when we are up and happy, so we try to be that way all of the time.
• It’s knowing life is far richer and beautiful when we are appreciating all that’s around us, not judging.
• Happiness definitely requires an independent, rebellious spirit that refuses to let difficulties take control of our hearts and minds. Refusal to let difficulties define our identity, feelings or our actions is a key to happiness.

Is it easier to be happy when everything around us is beautiful and life is going well? Absolutely, especially if you already embrace and practice these happiness habits.

If you don’t, no measure of good things coming into your life will ever bring you enduring happiness.

We can use difficult times to strengthen our happiness skills and our determination to triumph over distress and despair.

You decide what you want to do.

Copyright 2007, Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. See HappinessHabit.com for more insights on how to live a happy life. Post your comments below.

We are always amazed and delighted by how truly and consistently nice genuinely happy people are. This was one of the biggest surprises from our interviews and studies of habitually happy people. Happiness and niceness invariably are linked together.

By nice, we don’t mean door mat, subservient, submissive or excessively concerned about other people’s opinions. Habitually happy people were anything but that! They all tended to be very independent, somewhat outspoken and in many ways, adventurous.

By niceness we mean genuinely caring and being concerned about other people and the people around you. Passion propels happiness. Passion without caring and consideration for others is empty and self serving. Caring for others helps create compassion.

Many thanks to the Happiness Institute for today’s posting from Eastern Progress that reminds us how niceness contributes to happiness. Helpful messages often come when we need them the most!

We know people who are nice but who are not especially happy, niceness by itself does not ensure happiness. We never encountered anyone who was genuinely and consistently happy who was not nice. Sociopaths may fall into this category, their happiness is delusional.

Focusing our time and attention on doing good things well helps ensures happiness. Niceness, care and concern for others as well as ourselves is part of living well.

On a very different tone, ever wonder Why Having More No Longer Makes Us Happy? See an excellent article on the over emphasis of continued economic growth in AlterNet but be warned, it’s serious stuff! That’s why they call economics the dismal science.

Copyright 2007, Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. See HappinessHabit.com for more insights on how to live a happy life. Post your comments below.

Should Happiness Be Pursued? Or does happiness flow best and naturally just from a life well lived?

See Happiness Without Pursuit
Mark Teeter 3/17/07 St. Petersburg Times

One of my grandfathers pursued happiness and the other did not. The first tried a dozen disparate jobs but found only modest success and fleeting satisfaction.

The non-pursuer — a rare combination of journalist, historian and Methodist minister — did all three for their own sake and that of others, and did them very well. When he died, Time magazine titled his obituary “A Happy Man.”

It’s a wonderful article and analysis of happiness in Russia!

Happiness Blog is moving, expanding and will include current happiness articles of interest.
See HappinessHabit.com for a listing of Happiness Habits.

We’ll continue to respond to reader’s comments and what we read, like this for example:

“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” was posted by the Happiness Institute today…
“A negative judgment is the force behind all fears, anxieties and worries!”

Why say any day “May not be good?” When you start off that way, your negative projections can become a self fulfilling prophecy! Why not say, “How can I make the best of this day and every day?”

The International Herald Tribune writes Darrin McMahon author of “Happiness: A History” still has problems defining Happiness, so does Hootiepalooza who writes.. Wikipedia defines happiness As an effective state?!!!

Why not try our Happiness Habit definition… ”
A happy life is generally…
Pleasant & Pleasing,
Purposeful & Productive,
Prosperous & Spiritually Successful!”

“Happiness is the energized, elevated emotion we experience when we enjoy, appreciate or achieve a worthwhile goal.”

Deciding what happiness means to us helps us decide what steps we can take to attain it. For more insights see our Happiness Habit resources.

Tell us if you like our new approach. It may be a bit redundant at times, but repeating key concepts helps them to be reinforced and retained. That’s the way to build happiness!

Copyright 2007 Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. See HappinessHabit.com for more insights on living a happy, spiritually successful life. Comment on this post below.

Doug Manning shares a wonderful insight into happiness in his posting today titled Denominator of Happiness at ProactiveLiving.BlogSpot.com -

He says developing your Denominator is the key to happiness…

“The denominator is the real secret to developing an enduring sense of happiness and fulfillment. You focus on defining and developing your whole self. What are your interests? What do you value? What are your passions? What is your unique style? Where in the world can you be who you are?”

“These are the questions that give shape to defining a quality life. In the denominator world, quality is better than quantity, every denominator is unique, and the quickest way to get everything you want is to want exactly what you have.”

What a great approach! So much depends upon perceptions. People with much materially can still feel poor, especially if they are over extended financially. Other people who seem to have comparatively little can feel very rich and appreciative of all they do have.

We found the biggest barrier to happiness is the Fault Finding Feel Goods, all those terribly temping tendencies to judge, criticize and blame. A great happiness habit is to avoid all unnecessary, non-productive negativity. If the negativity doesn’t help you or protect you in some way, reject it.

If the negativity does actually help you, turn it into a series of positive action items to help you build your happiness and success. Hope this helps!

Copyright 2007 Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. See HappinessHabit.com for more insights on living a happy, spiritually successful life. Comment on this post below.

Do you feel frustrated by reading about recent Happiness Research at major universities?

Are you looking for ways to be happier and find this research offers no clues as to what to do? You are not alone, we all face the same quandary. Here’s why…

Academic / scientific research usually involves qualities that are measurable and verifiable so the studies can be repeated with the same results. That’s why we have all the emphasis on measuring subjective happiness, relative indexes and comparative results.

Researchers must rely on qualities that can be measured so their studies can be repeated and yield similar results so they can be considered valid.

Measuring happiness does not describe how to attain it! They are two very different goals, processes and functions.

Many philosophers, psychiatrists and great thinkers throughout time have written that comparisons and analysis of Happiness actually defeats happiness. We agree. Why stop being happy to try to measure our happiness? What difference do these measurements make? Do they help you to be happier?

Once you measure relative happiness, what good does it do you?

If we want to be happy or happier, we need to focus on developing the skills, habits and strategies that lead to happy lives. There are simple, universal, eternal truths to living a happy, spiritually successful life. If we practice them we will be happier.

See http://HappinessHabit.com for more Happiness Habits!
Copyright 2007, Michele Moore All Rights Reserved. Contact us for Reprints. Comment on our posting below.

Habitually happy people like to define how they go through life, they choose their mood and attitude. They refuse to let bad things get them down for long. A spirit of revolt and rebellion helps fuel their happiness.

“Life is too short, we need to try to enjoy every minute of it as best we can,” one commented.

Certainly, dramatically changing life circumstances can alter your long term happiness if you allow it. See today’s posting from Michigan State

Habitually happy people seem to creatively find ways to enjoy life no matter what happens to them. They don’t let bad breaks define a bad mood for long. They find ways of triumphing over difficulties spiritually and emotionally.

Copyright 2007 Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. See HappinessHabit.com for more insights on living a happy, spiritually successful life. Comment on this post below.

Fans of the Happiness Habit are talking about What NBC Didn’t Say About Happiness watch the video and read the articles.

They didn’t mention any of the enduring, universal time tested truths for living a happy, spiritually successful life…

Be Guided By Goodness, Fuel Your Life With Fun, Your Aim Determines Your Achievements, Avoid The Fault Finding Feel Goods, Focus On How You Want To Feel, Drive Discipline With Desire, Live According To Your Aspirations Not Your Inclinations, Touch People With A Positive Spirit, Live By Only The Highest And Best Values, Be Driven By Desire Not Duress, Love Propels Happiness!

NBC focused exclusively on external environmental factors that bring happiness citing positive relationships, work place appreciation and Laughter Classes. What do you do if you don’t have these things?

They close by saying, “the key is finding things that make you happy and keep you that way!” This means you are supposed to search for external things rather than build internal skills to be happy. Great for an advertiser based business!

Fans of the Happiness Habit know why Get Going With A Giggle is so helpful. Laugher loosens tight tummy muscles, helps you breathe easily from the bottom of your belly and stimulates serotonin, the brain’s natural happiness hormone.

NBC’s Happiness Test titled “Are You Satisfied With Your Life?” asks viewers to judge how ideal their lives are. Judgment generally quells happiness.
If you’re not satisfied, what do you do? Why not offer suggestions and insights that help people be happier?

In my city NBC’s Happiness segment was sandwiched between Fosamax and Aleve commercials. Drug companies are big network advertisers. The happiness experts shown come from Psychology departments at major universities that are dedicated to treating disease.

Is there any wonder NBC didn’t share any of the true, simple secrets to happiness?

The Happiness Habit pages on www.HappinessHabit.com describe how to live a happy, spiritually successful life. Virtue is the basis for all happiness. Make Happiness YOUR Habit!

Copyright 2007, Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. Comment on Happiness Blog postings with the icon below.

Defeating The Dismal Drearies During The Holidays - Holiday Happiness Habits from www.HappinessHabit.com

Reject Self Pity - Feeling sorry for yourself is a sure route to sadness. If you catch yourself in self pity, STOP! Redirect your attention to positive, rewarding thoughts and activities.

Negative Judgments Cause Pain - To enjoy happy holidays, stop judging. Measuring life by other people’s should’s and ought’s is always discouraging and self defeating.

Design and Create a Fun, Rewarding Holiday that fits your circumstances. Decide to have a great holiday and then make it happen.

Doing Good Helps Us To Feel Good! Spend time helping people who genuinely need and appreciate your assistance.

Avoid Rich Foods and Excess Alcohol - That lift your spirits for a few moments and then leave you feeling bloated, guilty and unhappy for hours.

Exercise Aggressively - It’s a great way to work off stress, stay in shape, feel great and see other people.

Share The Holiday Spirit - Smile, speak and greet strangers warmly. Extend a genuinely warm, holiday welcome to everyone you meet.

When we summon up a sense of joy and honestly project it, we can’t help but raise our own spirits as well. Remember the people who need our warmth the most are often those who are least able to return it.

Full Happiness Habits for the Holidays article on American Chronicle
Other Happiness Articles on American Chronicle. The Happiness Habits pages at HappinessHabit.com share more insights about how to live a happy life all year round. Make Happiness Your Holiday Habit!

Copyright 2006, Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Reprints. Comment on Happiness Blog postings with the icon below.

Great News!
1) How To Live A Happy Life - 101 Ways To Be Happier is now available in bookstores and from Amazon.com.

2) Expansions and enhancements to HappinessHabit.com are almost complete. The site now includes a rich, attractive array of happiness resources, happiness habits and happiness articles from around the world that help people live happy, fulfilling, spiritually successful lives.

3) We’ll continue to publish full length Happiness Habit articles again through our existing partnerships. We are actively seeking new partnerships, avenues and venues where we can share our Happiness Habit® message. Email us at Info at HappinessHabit dot com for details.

This Happiness Blog is now devoted to sharing and discussing current happpiness research, insights, questions, queries and topics.

Please let us know what you think of HappinessHabit.com, How To Live A Happy Life - 101 Ways To Be Happier, the new Happiness Blog and how YOU think people can live happier, more fulfilling, spiritually successful lives.

Email us at Info at HappinessHabit dot com !
Wishing you great happiness,

Michele Moore, CEO
Happiness Habit, Inc.
HapppinessHabit.com
Author of How To Live A Happy Life - 101 Ways To Be Happier