The Top Five Keys To Happiness

Sadly too many people seek outwards for happiness when happiness lies within. People often search and wonder what is the key to happiness. When effectively the answer lies all around them and is something that can be achieved every day.
An infographic I saw recently shared the 10 keys to happiness. All of which I agreed with. The top 5 keys to happiness focussed on outward-looking, which is ultimately the way to happiness.

Happiness comes from helping others, being there for people and being there for yourself. Yet, all too often in our quest for happiness, we look outwards when happiness lies within. Happiness lies within and comes from external actions.

Dalai Lama said “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

For years philosophers and great leaders have shared about the importance of looking within for happiness. They have shared the importance of being grateful for everyday living. Appreciating all you have and giving gratefully to others.

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

Aristotle said, “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” This is similar to what Dalai Lama said ‘Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
Happiness comes about from our daily actions. These top 5 keys to happiness are only a few of the actions that create happiness within.

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The 5 Keys to happiness.

Something you hear over and over is to give to others. So much more pleasure comes from giving. Giving is a key to life fulfilment.

”We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill

Do things for others – giving.

There are many ways to give. You can give your time. If you have no time, you can give money. You can donate items you don’t need or donate blood or become an organ donor. There are so many ways to give.
Doing things for others is much easier than many people think. One simple little good deed each day can have a knock-on effect.

I like the pay it forwards effect. Pay it forward with a smile or a meaningful comment. Pay it forward with a buying a coffee for the next person in the queue. I often stop and say hello and chat with some of the elders in our community. Not because I know them but because I know they are alone most of the time. They really enjoy someone just saying hello.

“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Connect with people.

The comment above about just saying hello is a simple way to connect to people. Another way is to be present when you interact with people. Listen and share.

Find time to communicate with family, with friends and colleagues. It is not always easy to stay connected with family especially when you live overseas. However, technology today really does help you stay connected.

Related post: 8 ways to keep in touch with family overseas.

Bear in mind as you connect with people that there are three types of friends in life. You will find that as you build relationships all three types of friends will pass through your life as you pass through theirs.

Look after yourself, your body and your mind.

Jim Rohn said, “Look after your body it’s the only place you have to live.”

Health is my one focus word this year, I know the importance of exercise, but it is often the first thing I stop when I have other things I want to focus on. However, health is important, without it, some of your life goals may not be achieved.

Related post: 100 Inspiring Life goal examples.

One of my life’s goals is to walk the Camino de Santiago. Although I’ve always believed in waling 10,000 steps a day and used to do many day or overnight hikes, I know I currently don’t have the ability to complete this walk. Yet, know as my health improves my ability to hike long hikes again does too.

Mindful living for happiness.

Living mindfully is about being aware of all areas of your life. Taking notice of the things around, on your commute, within your home. Being present and not worrying about the future or living in the past. Research shows that by practising mindfulness intentionally you increase the grey matter in your hippocampus, which is important for productivity, learning and memory.

Living mindfully is all about living in the now, living intentionally and when you live in the now your worries fade away. For worries are things of the past and concerns of the future. Living mindfully helps you focus on the now. When you focus on the current on what you can do today, life is more fulfilling.

Related post: Balancing life with mindfulness methods that work.

Keep learning and growing.

Personal growth and trying new things is one key to happiness. As by learning new things you discover what you really like to do and it gives you a sense of achievement. There are many ways to learn and share what you learn. Formal education, reading, listening to podcasts, learning from friends or work colleagues, learning by doing. If you’re blogging like me, then you may learn from other bloggers or from Facebook groups or courses.

One of my favourite learn to blog courses for beginner bloggers is ‘blog by numbers’.

One advantage of learning is it not only boosts your knowledge but also your self esteem and confidence.

“Your work is discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”

Buddha

We don’t always know what we want to do or achieve. It can take time to discover your purpose, your world, what you really want to do. That is OK. Just enjoy the process of learning and personal growth as you discover and create your path.

I have a long list of things I’d like to achieve. Some of my life goals are ambitious others are easier. One thing I do is write a plan. I like to plan out my goals and take daily actions that include the top 5 keys to happiness. 

This post is inspired by a blog post I read on ‘Action For Happiness.‘
In the search for a more meaningful life, I too along the way got lost. I often asked myself, ‘what do I really want to do in life.” I read, I tried different jobs and joined clubs but what I discovered is that life has many seasons. What is bringing me joy today, may not be the same tomorrow. What I have found for happiness is it is important to live a grateful and caring life.