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7 Ways to Personal Happiness

Tuesday, January 30th, 2007

This started out as an office joke, but I think it deserves some serious attention. The advice I am going to give comes from things I have read, wisdom I have gotten from others, and personal experience. Take what advice you like, leave what you don’t. All that I ask is that you respect the fact that these are my own views and they may not be what you are looking for. I encourage you all, dear readers, to leave comments if you agree, disagree or have something to contribute. I write this as something for myself to strive for as well. Without much further ado I present you my list:

1. Don’t Lie- Specifically to yourself. You are the most important thing in your life. It doesn’t go any other way. Telling a lie to protect the feelings of somebody else only makes it harder to live with yourself. If/when that other person finds out they have been lead along, they too will feel upset and confused as to why they were lead to believe in something that wasn’t true.
2. Speak- Start the conversation, even if you have nothing to say. Get your thoughts out so that you can analyze them. This works hand-in-hand with listening.
3. Listen- Acknowledge what others are saying. Recognize others feelings as well as beliefs. You may be surprised to find out that there are more people that feel the same way you do. Do not close the doors of the mind. Listen to yourself. Your words may be more telling than you think.
4. Respect- Yourself. The whole you. Abusing your body is nothing more than punishing yourself. What have you done wrong to deserve this self punishment? Take care of what you have. You weren’t born with spare parts. Respect others for their views and their opinions as well as their choices. Do not let opposing views get under your skin.
5. Move on- Learn from what has happened in the past. Dwelling on this will not get you anywhere. I have a quote that sums this up very succinctly:
   “The Moving Finger writes; and having writ,
   Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
   Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
   Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it”-Omar Khayyam
6. Set Goals- High ones. You are more capable than you realize. It is easy to settle, but it is far more satisfying to work for something and earn it. Failure to attain lofty goals should not be seen as your downfall. Be proud of the work you put in.
7. Love- Love what you do, who you work with, your hobby, your pets, yourself.

I will be updating this and refining it as the week progresses. I hope that you get something out of it. If not, let it be a reinforcement to what you already know. Oh, and last but certainly not least, my un-official number 8. Smile.