8 Ways For You To Find Happiness in 2008

The time is here yet again for new year's resolutions and what could be more rewarding than making 2008 your happiest year yet? Here are 8 tips that will virtually insure a happy life.

1. Fill your life with gratitude. Gratitude is being "re-discovered" as the key to happiness. Take the time to realize what you have, and how fortunate you are to be here- now- experiencing life. Take a few minutes at the same time everyday to write down 5 things you're thankful for. This is one of the quickest ways to lift your spirits and begin to create a happy life. It's simple, it doesn't cost anything, and all you have to gain is happiness. For more information on the power of gratitude, check out www.happinessandpeace.com.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." -Albert Schweitzer

2. Become an observer of life. When you encounter problems, step back and observe. Why is this occurring to me? What am I to learn from this problem? Time heals all issues and when you look back at a problem we can see how problems build our character and our life. Problems are not to be feared, but to be appreciated for the guidance they give to our lives.

3. Stop being judgemental. We add so much needless stress to our lives by worrying about what others think of us. And then to make ourselves feel better we judge and put others down. But by judging others, you begin to point out what's wrong with yourself. Stop judging and appreciate others for who and what they are. Stop living your life by what others think. You are an individual being with special gifts that others do not have. Be true to yourself and happiness will seek you.

4. Focus outwards, not inwards. Many of us look inwards and look to the world to make us feel better. But the real key is when we focus outwards on making the world around us better. When we work to make others around us to have a better life, you feel better, you gain a sense of fulfillment and you'll see happiness follow.

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves." -James M Barrie.

5. Turn off negative media. Watch a local newscast for 30 minutes or so, or read the front page of a newspaper and observe how you feel. More than likely you'll feel like the world is falling apart, and that you helpless to affect change. Worrying about problems won't improve the world- or yourself! Remove the negative feelings created by the negative media and make room for happiness to appear!

6. Get away from "downer" people. Do you hang around with friends who are whiners and complainers? Negative, judgemental people sap your strength! Begin to seek out people who are passionate about life! Associate with happy people and their happiness will rub off on you!

7. Take time to meditate or relax each day. It's hard to be happy when you're all tensed up. Take some time for yourself each day to relax. Read a good book, go to a movie, call a friend or listen to music. Do something that you really enjoy doing.

8. See yourself as a happy person. Many things in life are a matter of perception. If you think you're happy, you'll be happy. If you think you're unhappy, then you'll be unhappy. Super successful businessman W. Clement Stone started each day with the saying, "I feel happy, I feel healthy, I feel terrific!" When you wake up each day, reconfirm to yourself that you're happy person. When things aren't going your way, just stop and smile. When you're having a rough day, stop and say thanks for what's going right.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you're looking at, change." -Dr. Wayne Dyer

Now you've got the tools!

Have a great- and happy- 2008! :)


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