We watched a movie this weekend based on a book called, Hector And The Search For Happiness.
It was cheesy, and quite silly but there were some good bits of advice I thought I’d pass along.
12 Tips To Happiness
“We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness but rather with the happiness of pursuit.”
– Enjoy the journey!
Many people see happiness only in their future.
– Enjoy the moment!
Many people think that happiness comes from having more power or more money.
– Be grateful for what you have.
The more we focus on our own personal happiness, the more it eludes us.
– Kindness to others enriches your own happiness.
Happiness is answering your calling.
– Doing what you love will make you happy.
Happiness is being loved for who you are.
– Accepting yourself and being accepted by others is important.
“Avoiding unhappiness is not the road to happiness.”
– Avoiding pain and fear will not result in happiness.
“Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.”
– Comparison is truly the thief of joy.
“Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story.”
– Would you rather be wise and unhappy or ignorant and blissful?
“Listening is loving.”
– Listening with an open heart is often what people crave most.
“More important than what we are searching for is what we are avoiding.”
– Fear blocks happiness.
“Nostalgia is not what it used to be.”
– We always embellish our memories, both good and bad.
While watching the movie I quickly ascertained that one thing that makes me happy is a warm pug on my lap.
12 things that make me happy
A healthy body.
Fresh baked bread.
Sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold night.
Dancing.
Creating.
Checking items off my To Do List.
A summer’s day.
Animals.
Thunderstorms.
Spring.
The smell of rain.
Chocolate anything.
What makes you happy?
Wonderful, Suzanne! Living in the present, that’s the key for me – as my mind merrily races to the past and future. xox
This is so timely, which will be more obvious when I finally post my own blog soon. I’m going to have to find this book – it sounds great. Excellent post xx
The sweet pug, so sweet eyes! You are so right about all written here. I do the same about gratitude – I am very a grateful person. It wasn’t always this way, but some years ago it started and yes, how grateful I turned to be. I’d rather be ignorant and happy 🙂 I used the quote “do you want to be always right or happy?” and it helps a lot 🙂 Besides, I don’t want to be always right, I like to learn things. I also like this “the happiness of pursuit” – I pretty much believe in that! I loved your list of things – dancing, creating, scent of rain! What makes me happy is when I see my beloved ones happy, no joke, and helping them and people when I can. Reading, learning, dancing, painting and being able to see. Wee think we all see, but we take it for granted – I am happy to be able to see and to walk, so on. Not everybody can. Kisses, dear Suzanne, a great post!
DenisesPlanet.com
I keep a note pad next to my bed. Whenever I’m feeling down I think about something that makes me happy and I write it down. Then I read the ever growing list of happiness making things and it instantly lifts my spirits. It really works. So I just grabbed my list and I’m randomly sharing one thing: the smell of the garden after a rain. Oh yeah. And puppy hugs ?
I definitely have a lot of work to do when it comes to feeling more happy in the present, but here’s a few things that usually put a smile on my face: the smell of lilacs, roses or freshly-cut grass, receiving something in the mail from my family in Lithuania, dinner prepared by my husband, a foot rub or a head massage, ice cream (god, I’d kill for some right now), singing out loud when no one’s listening, hedgehogs and wiener dogs, songs I used to listen to back in high school, slipping into the freshly-washed sheets, coming home and not finding dirty dishes all over kitchen counters.
Well for one, reading this made me happy. ( very good advice) I also have a little dog, and she makes me happy , like you chocolate anything is on my list, fresh air, colorful flowers, sunsets,
most of all having the time to see and fully appreciate those things.
I also love to create, write, and shop…
Stay happy!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
A great post. Suzanne! Lots of things make me happy, and THAT makes me happy.
I agree with you about the movie, but it’s always a good idea to focus on happiness. We need it and too often head in the wrong directions. Your tips are convincing because of their simplicity.
What a simple but lovely post. Everything on your list makes me happy too, bar the thunderstorms! So I’ll take them out and put the smell of flowers in instead! And music, many kinds of music make me happy along with singing. And the companionship of friends and the love of a good tall man!
Please may I borrow the pug for lap sitting duties of the warming kind?
I am a very happy and positive person by nature and rarely feel sad or angry. This sounds like a cute movie and I may need to see it one of these days.
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
This happy post made me happy!
Love this post! It’s quite apparent that it’s the simple things in life that makes us the most happy. For me it’s: family, time with friends, creating (being creative), reading on my front porch, watching the sunrise and set, visiting a temple, setting the perfect table, hugs from those I love.
You make me happy. Fellow bloggers at the 40+blogger meet up made me happy. Ron makes me happy. Friends make me happy in a big way. Being in good health makes me happy. Indeed “giving” makes me happy. But most of all: unexpected big laughter makes me happy. I do so love to laugh.
Great post Suzanne. To remind us all of the important things in life.
Greetje
Great reminders, Suzanne. I love the air-glow after a snowstorm too. Easy to say from Vancouver, heh.
Finding satisfaction in the little day-to-day things is good. So is great big face-aching laughter, and a good glass of wine! xxx
Fabulous post…we all need reminders from time to time to focus on what’s important. Dogs make me happy….definitely dogs. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Books. Book stores. Tea. Things with dogs on them.
What a fab post! So many of the things that make you happy also make me happy, I’ll just add the warmth of the sun on my skin, dancing barefoot in the grass and swimming in the sea. xxx
Cute post! I have to admit it, one of my favorite happy moments is sipping a handmade cocktail at home with the husband.
I love your list. I love doing for others and also eating anything chocolate.
So sweet! Thanks so much for sharing! I think we all need to remember to be thankful and happy about things we have! I was reading your list and I think those all are happy things! I think I need some fresh baked bread now! 🙂
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
I couldn’t agree more!
I’m a scaredy cat, so fear and stress are my biggest interferences/obstacles with happiness. But most of the time I succeed to be happy with what is.
Sunny days make me happy, spending time with loved ones, experiencing and giving out kindness, seeing the beauty in things and people, cute animals, dancing tango and listening to music. Creativity, hot baths, HBO series.
A healthy, strong body and mind would make me even more happy, but I accept that that’s not the case for me.
As cliched as it sounds, it really is the little things that make me feel good. Today I spent an hour on my porch reading a good book and I was happy to be able to do that. Happiness is fleeting and should be appreciated in the moment, but it’s often difficult to do. A warm, snuggly pug is definitely a happiness-creator.
Great tips Suzanne! I strive for inner peace and health in all areas, which is happiness for me. And embracing whatever comes my way, even if painful. I continue to be curious about this topic, so loved your post.
I LOVE this list 🙂 and your blog is so cozy and personal
Check out my new post- 6 sexy coffey tables 🙂
have a fab weekend dear
LOVE Maria Inredning – it’s Swedish for decor