This way to Happiness

There is much truth in the statement, “Happiness is not pleasure. It is victory.” Happiness, it is safe to assume, is something everybody wants to have. It’s true that other people can give you pleasure, but you will never be happy until you do things for other people. Nothing brings more joy and happiness doing things for others that increase their enjoyment of life. Incidentally, happiness is not something you can buy with money, though it is true that adequate amount of money helps to eliminate some things that produce discomfort.

Studies reveal that people who are absorbed in tasks they enjoy and find challenging have taken a step toward happiness. Researchers have long recognized that people (particularly males) who are married are happier and live longer. People who are on a regular exercise program, keeping themselves physically in shape, particularly from an aerobic point of view, are happier.

An article in Psychology Today specifically states that one way to be happy is to “take care of the soul” The article points out that actively religious people tend to report more happiness and to cope better with crises. Faith provides a support community, a sense of life’s meaning, a reason to focus beyond self, and a timeliness perspective on life’s temporary ups and downs. A study conducted by David Jensen at UCLA covering a broad range of people from every walk of life concluded that people who set goals and develop a plan of action to reach them are happier and healthier, earn considerably more money, and get along better with the people at home than do people who have no clearly defined objectives. Consider this happiness factor as you set your goals.