Skip to content

The skinny on happiness

Happiness is a deeply personal thing. We all have our own definition of happiness. Most people would describe me as a glass-half-full, optimistic person. And I am by nature. But I became unhappy and glass-half-empty as I got farther and father out of the equation of my own life.

In my experience, happiness is directly linked to how self-aware, self-accepting and self-forgiving you are. When I learned to love myself — really love myself — I became truly happy.

Happiness is a subject I’ve thought about, read about, and actively studied of late. So, imagine my excitement when this cool infographic from Happify on the science of happiness came across my email! I love it. It not only rang true for me, but honestly, I’m living proof of much of the science behind it. A test case, if you will. So I thought it would be fun to share it here.

6323C4131ECB9D33AD2BDBB0B95210_h221_w526_m2_bblack_q99_p99_cjtSwRUNo

I frequently write about and actively discuss happiness with others. But, honestly, learning to live from a foundation of inner happiness is something I’ve worked at most of my adult life, and it didn’t come easily.

It wasn’t until my  late 40’s that I finally got it — the secret that for me created a strong foundation of happiness that is now my core.  For me, the secret(s) are: self-love and acceptance, a change in attitude and outlook, and a life lived from a place of gratitude.

This research based graphic has so many great facts about happiness based in science. Here are just a few that stood out for me:

  • Happiness is a skill you can build with regular practice. You have the ability to control how fulfilling your life is.
  • Happy people are healthier.
  • You can get more out of a good experience when you slow down and savor it, live in the moment.
  • People who have experienced some adversity and overcome it are usually happier than those who haven’t experienced any.
  • Happiness is NOT feeling hunky dory all of the time, having all the money you could want, refusing to see the negative stuff. in the world, or a final destination. (Amen.).
  • Practicing gratitude regularly makes you feel happier.

Check out this cool graphic here on the Happify website and let me know what you think.

tumblr_n35wi3lbHS1ru63s2o1_500

 

One Comment Post a comment
  1. Jean #

    Love the message. I think I needed to read it today. Great graphic too!

    April 4, 2014

Leave a Reply

You may use basic HTML in your comments. Your email address will not be published.

Subscribe to this comment feed via RSS

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: