Life Is Full Of Choices

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Life is full of choices… and I choose happiness!

Although partially influenced by “nature” and “nurture,” 40% of our happiness is within our control, says positive psychology, thus proving that happiness truly is a state of mind! Even the mere act of trying to be happy could reap you benefits by alleviating your mood and well-being.

This quote affirms that we have the power to choose our own happiness. It suggests that we have the ability to shape our own reality and to create the life we want through the choices we make – rather than being a victim of circumstance.

One of the first steps towards this new growth is through reprogramming our beliefs. Our beliefs shape our perception of reality and influence our actions and emotions. Negative beliefs such as “I am not good enough” or “I will never be successful” can hold us back and prevent us from experiencing happiness. By reprogramming these beliefs and replacing them with positive ones, such as “I am capable” or “I can achieve my goals”, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities and experiences.

Another important aspect of achieving happiness is mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations without judgment. It is the capacity to observe our thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. Mindfulness can help us to become more aware of our habitual unconscious patterns..

Author of “You Can Choose to Be Happy,” Dr. Tom G. Stevens stated that happy people make an effort to be happy by making happiness among their top goals in life. They take advantage of opportunities to learn how to be happy by reprogramming their beliefs and values and learning good self-management skills, good interpersonal skills, and good career-related skills. He also added that choosing the kind of environment and the people we spend time with could increase our probability of happiness. “The persons who become the happiest and grow the most are those who also make truth and their own personal growth primary values.”

How we view the world also contributes to our happiness. Dr Daniel Friedland said that happy people have learned to approach difficult situations with questions like, “What may I learn from this?” Unpleasant situations are inevitable but they choose to control and focus their thoughts on what should really matter most to achieve the outcome they want. They avoid pessimism by seeking out the positive side of a problem or dire circumstance.

Happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey. It’s not something that we can attain and then hold on to forever. It’s a state of mind that we can cultivate through our daily choices and actions. It’s about learning to appreciate the present moment, to be grateful for what we have, and to let go of what we cannot control.

As the wise Dalai Lama has been quoted as saying, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”