Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Life Transition: Becoming Happy
Commentary by Peter Shepherd
“It takes courage to become happy -- courage to remain true to one's convictions, courage not to be defeated by one's weaknesses and negativity, courage to take swift action to help those who are suffering.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda
Daisaku goes on to say, “None of us can exist in isolation. Our lives and existence are supported by others in seen and unseen ways, be it by parents, mentors or society at large. To be aware of these connections, to feel appreciation for them, and to strive to give something back to society in a spirit of gratitude is the proper way for human beings to live.”
“Do not educate yourself to be rich, educate yourself to be happy. That way when you get older you'll know the value of things, not the price.” ~ Marc Chernoff
You know the things that money can't buy... true love, companionship, wisdom, respect, integrity, and so on. They're values. Happiness is fulfilling your heartfelt desires, being fully alive, true to yourself. But not in isolation... Loving service to our fellows connects us and life becomes meaningful and fulfilling.
When societies and governments are not at the service of all people equally, then arrogance and exploitation risk snuffing out true human development and fulfillment. Only by loving and serving others, even with the simplest of gestures, will we attain a genuine sense of happiness and hope.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie
Negative: "Oh no, it's raining, how miserable." Or positive: "Ah, it's raining, just what the garden needs." Fundamentally, happiness is appreciating the experience of life, accepting all pleasure and learning with gratitude. Our choice, our happiness.
“There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.” ~ Anthony de Mello
“I’m not good enough; you can’t change the way you are; I don’t need anyone; I can’t trust anyone; if I am not in control, something bad will happen; I am a victim; I am superior to others; if I am vulnerable, I will get hurt; I am bad; I am stupid; I must be perfect; I’m a loser; I am my flaws; whatever I do won’t be enough; I don’t deserve to be happy; when bad things happen, it is my fault; others can but I can’t; I deserve to feel bad; my needs are not important; if I give in to others, I will lose my point of view; there’s something wrong with me; you’re stuck with your beliefs; I’m not worthy of love; I have to do everything perfectly; I shouldn’t show my true feelings; I am responsible for how others feel; I must be in control; having problems means I don’t have it together; success is for better people than me; I won’t succeed so why bother trying; I have to do as I am told.”
...And a thousand others likewise, and that’s just those relevant to personal development. We learn these things in childhood and they are contagious from person to person. And false.
Peace, joy, health and well-being exist already within us now, if we choose to see things that way... guided by acceptance and love, rather than resistance and fear.
The secret of happiness is to be free of fear. Fear is like a toxin that runs through much of our thinking. It feeds on insecurity, feeling of loss, loneliness, inadequacy and attachment. You are lovable and loving. Accept this as Truth. Appreciate and care for yourself - truly, deeply, intensely, in a way that reflects your real value. Then you will automatically have the same regards for all other living beings and things. ~ Brahma Kumaris
And Brahma recommends: "Smile. When you smile, not only do you feel happy, but you bring a ray of light into the lives of others."
“Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness.” ~ Lana Del Rey
Best to live your life based on what you truly want, instead of conforming to the expectations of others or trying to impress them. Then you will be inspired and most likely achieve both success and happiness. If you're free and happy, those are wonderful qualities in your life, and they will attract equally positive opportunities to you.
PODCAST: Becoming Happy - Interview with Errol A. Gibbs
Happiness is something that all of us want - naturally, since it’s a fundamental human need. But all too often being genuinely happy is a hard target to reach. We often feel lacking in the happiness stakes and don’t really know what to do about it. Well, we have an opportunity today to gain some key new insights about happiness, because I’m speaking to Errol A. Gibbs, author of Discovering Your Optimum Happiness Index. This book offers interactive strategies that guide us towards identifying and achieving our happiness goals.
Articles about happiness...
What Does Happiness Mean To You? - by Errol A. and Marjorie G. Gibbs
The left and right brain provide two modes of knowing, two modes of perceiving the world and to deal with the material of this world exist. One is potential, the other one manifest - which in most people is the right hand side which corresponds to the left brain. You might say that the left brain is the chalk and the right brain the blackboard, when both sides of the brain are working together. Continues...
10 Key Happiness Indicators - by Errol A. and Marjorie G. Gibbs
We recognize that the following ten words - that we refer to as ten key happiness indicators - weave “strands of interconnection” with all human activities as they relate to well-being (happiness), underpinned by our achievements, attributes, and customs. They form a pattern, a “solution matrix,” to the plight of humanity regarding our happiness and unhappiness. Each indicator can be a positive influence and engender happiness, or a negative influence and cause unhappiness. Continues...
20 Habits Happy People Have (But Never Talk About) - by Marc & Angel Chernoff
A great deal of human happiness is due to intentional activity. It is possible for us to significantly increase our happiness simply by altering what we choose to do every day. And much of what we do, we do on autopilot based on our habits. As Elbert Hubbar once said, “Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” Continues...
The Best Way to Achieve Happiness - by Song Chengxiang
Anything you cause others to experience will come back to you, and multiplied. If you cause others to experience love, you will find more love in your life; if you cause others to have wealth, you will have more in your own life; if you cause others to succeed, you are guaranteed to succeed. This is the law of the universe, and it never fails. So, whatever you want to experience in your life, cause others to experience it first. This is the most powerful way to attain your own desires, and the easiest way to achieve happiness. Continues...
