Happiness in a Nutshell–How to Be Happy–Lessons From You and Me–Week 13

Happiness is not something that just happens. Happiness is something that must be learned and sought after. The past 12 weeks, we have explored practical ways to increase your happiness. Here is a handy recap of the ideas presented with links to the posts that explore them in depth. Be sure to read the bonus section on how to create happiness in your marriage at the bottom of this post.

1. Forgiveness is absolutely key to happiness. Read this post for four great ideas on how to forgive.

2. Dwelling on the past robs the present of its joy. Facing the future with faith brings hope to our lives and gives us a reason to press forward in life.

3. Fear can be paralyzing. Remember that “A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.” Read this post for four practical ideas on how to be more courageous.

4. Ironically, focusing exclusively on our own happiness often leads to unhappiness! It’s only when we help and serve others that we are truly rewarded with the joy and contentment that we seek.

5. Gratitude is key to finding lasting happiness. Even in less-than-ideal (or downright awful) circumstances, being thankful for what we do have can change our whole mindset and allow happiness to grow.

6. What we say to ourselves can have a huge impact on our happiness. If we are constantly filling our minds with negativity, there is no room for happiness. Read this post for inspiration on how to overcome the damaging habit of negative self-talk.

7. We often compare our weaknesses to others’ strengths. Read this post for four practical ideas on how to stop comparing yourself to others.

8. “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” If this is true, then creation must be necessary for happiness. It doesn’t matter if you think you are not the “creative” type. We don’t have to create crafts or cakes. We can create feelings and memories that bring lasting happiness to ourselves and others.

9. Your worth is infinite. Understanding this one thing can transform your whole life. It changes the way you think about yourself and others and allows for feelings of contentment and peace.

10. Focusing on the good in the world directs our energies to creating more good, and more happiness. Even though we are surrounded by heartbreaking events, we can choose to elevate and amplify the good that is around us.

How to Create Happiness in Your Marriage

Books have been written, seminars given, and retreats developed to cover this topic. While there is a mountain of literature on how to improve your marriage (and I have read a ton of it), I recently came across an article that I felt was very poignant and could potentially save marriages in trouble. Even if your marriage is not in trouble, doing what the author suggested can only enhance and improve what is already good. This article is by Richard Paul Evans, author of over twenty books, including The Christmas Box, and the Michael Vey series. In it, he reveals the one question that saved his marriage. What he did is something very simple that all of us could do every day.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series on happiness, and that you will leave comments with any additional ideas and insights that you have. And I hope above all, that you will find true, lasting happiness. Or rather, I should say that I hope you will make true, lasting happiness. It is not hiding. We all have the power to create it for ourselves. I truly believe that.