If there is one thing that I have been unabashedly proud of myself, it is that I have never waited for anything or anyone to make me happy or at least I think so!
“Happiness starts with you” and the ‘You’ in this matters a lot.
Let’s dive in deep to see how being happy with yourself can open doors to the most joyful moments of your life.
What is Happiness and Why it Starts with You
Let’s start with a basic question.
What is happiness? It does not have a defined answer as happiness for everyone means different things.
Driving a BMW might be happy for some and for others eating ice cream would do.
It also does not depend on things we have, it lies in our everyday experiences, in the people we see, things we do and experiences we go through.
Overall it is a beautiful feeling where you feel joy, your heart is excited, exhilarated, boosts you, and that radiates through your face. Now you know, it starts with you!
Do you know, happiness is contagious! That’s why whenever a baby laughs, the mood becomes so lighter. The same happens with a class of students and office workers. If your peers or teachers are happy, it immediately passes on.
To Be Happy with What You Have, Be Happy with Yourself
Everything may not be rosy about happiness as many times people battle with themselves to be happy the way they are.
To love oneself beyond everything is the key. If you ask me, who do you love the most in this whole wide world, I will say it is myself. I say this with the utmost confidence because the only one who stood by me when everything shattered was me and I believe that I deserve the happiness I need.
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- Self-acceptance
- Self-love
- Self-awareness
Ensuring these 3 helps you to accept, love and be happy with yourself.
20 Ways To Be Happy with What You Have
1. Be Grateful
When you are being grateful for every little thing you have, you will feel content and happy with what you are blessed with. Right here, happiness starts with you.
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
― Eckhart Tolle
2. Enjoy Little Things in Life
Some people live for these little things and they make life so beautiful. Enjoy a sudden outpouring of rain, a fresh bloom of flowers, a postcard from a friend or even a handful of nuts.
Life is beautiful and most of the time it is very simple. Living it the way it is supposed to be, enjoying every moment gives so much happiness.
3. Share
All of us have something to offer to others. Be it a slice of sandwich or a hand to help, we can always help people when needed.
All that is needed is a heart to give. When we share, our happiness is doubled. Be happy with what you have and share it wholeheartedly to see the joy multiply.
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
― Barack Obama
4. Engage in Art
Art influences creativity, heals wounds and helps people to connect. It is a wonderful medium to see life in a different light.
5. Fall in Love
Fall in love with yourself, with life, with the things you do. Give it 100% dedication and revel in the process of life itself.
6. Do Everything Wholeheartedly
I have been taught this so many times from my childhood. Be it from my mother who quotes Thirukkural which says, When you do something, do it so well, otherwise don’t do it at all or from my dearest friend who often says, when you do something, give it your all and do it piece by piece and not part by part.
The joy you get when you do something wholeheartedly is just bliss.
7. Work Hard Consistently
When I started to rebuild my career, I did not have much to do. But whatever little I had in my hands, I did with full dedication, giving my best and that paid off.
You may not have much now but whatever you have, do it well, keep growing it, every single effort will pay off. Thus, be happy with what you have and see it getting multiplied.
8. Don’t Do Anything Against Your Heart
This is extremely important. After all, we human beings are special because we can choose between things. I am not talking about right or wrong. I don’t believe it but trust your heart, do what feels right in the right situation. Stay true to your heart.
9. Hold Your Values High
“Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.”
― Dalai Lama
Your values define you, they say who you are. Stand by those values at all costs. Never compromise on them for money or any other thing. It will give you peace of mind and help you stay grounded.
10. Prioritize Peace Over Everything
Nothing else matters other than peace of mind. If you can check your heart and find peace there, you are the richest in the world.
Do not do anything no matter what it is that could take away your peace. Remember, happiness starts with you.
11. Take Care of Yourself
A healthy body and a healthy mind do wonders. Take small steps every day to keep yourself healthy.
Meditation, yoga, walking and some general exercises can be done anywhere and will help you build a healthy YOU. When you feel healthy, you feel happy and confident.
12. Prioritize Mental Health
In a world where everyone has access to everyone, there are a lot of chances that we end up getting hurt because of what people speak or say. Don’t let these have an impact on your mental health. Set your own filters and keep your mental peace safe.
13. Set Achievable Targets and Bite-Sized Goals
Sometimes we work so hard but end up failing. In such cases, it is also good to introspect. Sometimes we might be asking too much of ourselves. So it is good to set goals that are achievable but still high. Take it one at a time and give it your all.
14. Be Kind to Yourself!
One of the most important things that we forget in this fast-paced world is to be kind to ourselves.
“Be kind to yourself so that you can be happy enough to be kind to the world.”
― Misha Collins
15. Stay Authentic / Be Yourself
This is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. By being who you are, you are being authentic to yourself. This in itself is the highest value.
When you are being yourself, your mind is free and wonderful things can happen if you channelize your energy on the right path.
Be happy with what you have and be original.
16. Forgive People
It might sound very difficult but when we hold a grudge or hatred on someone, it will cause damage to us.
Imagine your anger or hatred as cigarette smoke, the more you have it, the more it is going to damage your body.
People often think that emotions are felt and do not have an impact on the human body but it does. The wounds we have in our hearts get stored in our bodies and are felt through body pains.
There are so many people with chronic pains with no reason or impact, it is because of the pain or anger they are holding inside them.
There are so many workshops and healing techniques that help to learn and deal with such things.
Overall when you forgive, when you let go, you give it a proper closure and your mind is relieved and body relaxed.
17. Have a Heart-to-Heart Connection with People
It might sound strange but to have a heart to heart connection with people who matter the most to you is so crucial.
Treasure them and be genuine in your love towards them. Very few bonds are made for life. Make time and effort to create and nurture those bonds.
18. Eat Wholesome Foods
Nothing connects people like Food! Be it any culture, cuisine or country, food connects all. It also has a great impact on you rather than just nourishing your body. The type of food we eat, says who we are.
Hence, add wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables and wholesome grains in your diet.
19. Listen to Music or Dance Away
Music has been my medicine every time I feel low or distracted. It is a great medium to connect with your inner self.
Music is everywhere, in the wind chimes, in the swaying trees, blooming flowers, chirping birds, roaring waves and even in wine glasses. Listening to it and dancing to tunes relieves you from a lot of struggles.
20. Be Happy
Yes, there is no other reason. Our minds are conditioned to believe that happiness is when certain things happen but it’s not.
If you wake up this morning and say, I am going to be happy today. I wish to be happy and ensure it does, it will happen!
Conclusion
You can be happy about anything. You can even be happy after reading this article. And if it has made you smile, you have already mastered the art of being happy with what you have!
Happiness is contagious, spread it everywhere, take it from the sources you create, share it with people and live every day happily with what you have.
Our life is what is happening now, so our happiness also must be now, right?
Let us know in the comments if this article has inspired you to smile and be happy.
Cheers!
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