How do you get happy?

[Ewan]

I mean, where the hell do you start? People tell me they're not happy. Or that they're happy sometimes but then it just goes. I ask them about their diet - it commonly involves a lot of sugar. I tell them there's nothing like sugar to give you mood swings. I ask them if they exercise regularly. Nope, surprise surprise, they don't. Do they socialise a lot? Not very much - only within their comfort zone.

So where do you even start with people that are like this? I understand it is not my job to 'fix' them or try to tell them what to do with their lives. I usually only say that long-term happiness is something that takes work to obtain but that everybody can do it. I don't exactly get positive responses - low self-esteem, remember? They don't think they can do it, or they're afraid it'll be too much work.

This is based on a conversation with a close personal friend but I have had many conversations such as this with other people and it always seems to turn out the same. Also I'd point out that I'm (quite obviously) not an expert on happiness and I'm not happy all the time but I think I've got my head round how to be happy in myself - unfortunately this doesn't yet translate into being able to help others do the same!

[Carlos]

Ok, It's 3AM now and because of this I'm shutting down the computer!
Thanks Reese! :D

[Veevee]

This is a very interesting remark, Reese-Dries. I feel there might be a key for more happiness in my life too, that and more exercise. I like the idea of a 'simple' steps first. And i actually like sleeping a lot. So i'll simply get started and have a 8 hour-sleep-night , tonight!

[Jeremy Hanson]

Exercising releases endorphins, increasing your 'pleasure sensors,' much in the same way as sex does.

In my opinion, people shouldn't focus or rely too much on chemicals to feel happiness. If you feel it from doing things like exercise, it should be icing on the cake, not the cake itself.

You should be able to find happiness regardless of your body chemistry at the time (unless you are bi polar or depressed.)

[Lasse Hansen]

I am not sure really. It depends a lot on the atmosphere.

[Abdul Majid Nagib]

I get happy...... by not doing things that make me sad.

Yeah that's it basically....

[Liam Eibach]

In the simple way...exactly!

[Veevee]

I know!

[Ewan]

This is pro.

[MiloVice]

(Some people just seem to have a contest with the rest of the world on who's the most miserable, and they really want to win.)

A lot of people have simply accepted an average life, "they can't hold on to a workout schedule for 5 years, that's just not how they are bla bla, bullcrap" I usually don't bother trying to 'fix' that, people like that are just not interesting. Maybe the best approach is to pick one person that you want to 'fix' and show him/her (s)he can do these things like socialising, regular exercise, etc. Though I think most of it will have to come from themselves, maybe you should try something more 'explosive' and get really fucking pissed at them because they behave that way, and hope they get some kind of revelation... might work?

Good luck with that, doesn't seem like it's worth it to me though, I don't mind helping someone out, but it sounds like a real project.

-Milo

[Liam Eibach]

In my opinion there are many variables to think about when tackling this subject. I’ll go about this like a 1950’s robot…so I can save you the reading time.
:::::::::BLEEP:::::::::::::::::BLOOP:::::::::::::::::::
-“happiness” is as generic and self defeating as perfection
-realistic happiness is ruled by a trinity; past-present-future …that must be maintained.
-the trinity is fueled by universal influences (diet, exorcise, acceptance, success and etc.) and personal influences (goals, entertainment, memories, spiritualism, and etc.)
-personal influences vary from individual to individual and universal influences is something that is shared.

Many people seem to look for one piece of the puzzle and I say step back a little.
Variables In Motion (My example)::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I must eat well, exorcise enough to stay limber, have my bills paid, reap some sort of success from work, accomplish a goal, be able to come home to a clean house, chat with friends, chill a little and get a good night’s sleep… all the while getting closer to a dream.

[This Is An Alias]

Well, personally I get happy seeing that look on someone's face when they suddenly realize that the food they just ate was poisoned and they have about 12 seconds left to live, but that just comes from a lifetime of brutal training and conditioning. You really just have to love what you do. Now, for the rest of you, I suggest applying that last statement to your everyday lives.

Do what you love, and love what you do. If you want to find long term happiness in your life you need to start with some deep soul searching to determine what you really want from your life, what you want your life to mean, and what you want to do with your life. Once you have figured that out make a plan for yourself. Start out small, just working towards a fairly simple goal that you know you'll be able to attain if you stick to it. For me it was learning how to backflip onto the ledge above me without making any sound, because when I started training it was something that I just couldn't get, and not being able to do it made me feel miserable, but I kept at it, and when I finally landed it I felt incredible, and used that feeling to push myself on to greater goals, like smoke bomb dissapearances, consecutive handspring and flip combinations, and quadruple spin kicks. Anyway, the point here is that you need to know where you're going and how you're going to get there. Don't expect to make it right away, and don't expect the journey itself to make you happy, because there will always be tough times along the way. Just keep at it, and when you start making real progress you'll feel better about yourself and your path with every passing day, and your success will ring true and lead towards a prosperous life.