The Pursuit Of Happiness

Joy. Happiness. I woke up one recent morning pondering these ideas

, wondering if I could just decide to find more of it in all the activities before me as I climbed out of bed. I decided I could and would. I'd approach each task like it was the first time I was doing it, I would stay present with each email (this takes focus!), each phone call (easier) and each person-to-person connection (fun).

My fascination with joy started slowly about two years ago when I began singing -- little snippets of favorite songs. It was joyful. I thought, I need to do this a lot! I started looking at other activities that just flowed, activities I didn't have to think twice about. Yes! I'll take more of that. It's a new practice, and it's working.

* I spend a few minutes each morning imagining joy in my day.

* When life takes an irritating turn, I think, could I choose happiness instead?

* I find myself in new friendships with joyful people.

* I'm reading books like Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar and Happiness is a Choice, by Barry Neil Kaufman.

* I sing all the time. I've always sung. There's more joy in it now.

The research scientists I met at the Positive Psychology Congress reinforced for me the benefits of practicing happiness (sounds funny, doesn't it?) and the fact that happiness is a state of being we can choose.

Like centeredness, we can memorize what happiness feels like in the mind and body and go there on purpose.

True happiness connects us with what's meaningful in life. We learn to develop gratitude, awe and wonder, central characteristics of happy people.

We learn to notice what is good. Happiness isn't only something that happens to us. Happiness is a choice.

What are you happy about today? Nothing pops up? Try this:

Just decide to be happy, then look for the reasons.

by: Judy Ringer

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