How to Live a Happy Life

I have found that the key to happiness really is positive thinking. If you wake up in the morning and you expect good things to happen, they will! Of course this is easy to say and not so easy to. Positive thinking might mean breaking the habits of a lifetime. So many people want to be happy that their thoughts about their life hold them back.

If you want to know how to find happiness, you're going about it the wrong way. Happiness is not a place -- it is a way of being. It means to live a happy life you have to be happy. And it all begins with your thoughts. This doesn't have to be a big deal, but start to try to pay attention to your thoughts. Are they sad thoughts? Are they mad thoughts? What goes through your mind on a daily basis? I know some people who are consumed with thoughts of the past. I know other people who are consumed with thoughts about how other people are lucky and get the good breaks. What are your thoughts? And do they make you happy? That might sound crazy, but there's nothing that stops you from being happy, except maybe you.

Some people find it very helpful to start first thing in the morning with paying attention to their thoughts. When the alarm goes off what is your first thought? Is it: "Oh God, I have to go to work." Or is it: "I'm in so much pain." Or some other unhappy thought? I trained myself that when the alarm goes off in the morning, I take a moment to count my blessings. Some mornings unhappy thoughts crowd my thinking and when that happens, I just shake my head and concentrate on counting my blessings. If you are very unhappy even finding one blessing can be a challenge. And so perhaps you can start with feeling thankful that you woke up. If you're so unhappy that the idea of still being alive does not make you feel better, please seek counseling.