What's the secret to happiness?

[terrya]

I'd genuinely like to know. I sure as hell don't have a clue.

Sorry this is a downer. The anti-depressants haven't kicked in yet.

Terry

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. No one is happy.

Stop trying to be happy all the time.

Comes in small doses.

[radwriter0555]

15. I disagree. You can TRAIN yourself to BE happy. I am happy...

I used to be depressed, lonely, bored, upset, angry, frustrated.

Then I decided that I didn't want to be THAT person anymore.

So I learned how to relax and be happy.

I still get depressed, lonely, bored, upset, angry and frustrated, but now I take a moment and find out why I am ANY of those things and I SOLVE THE PROBLEM. Then I no longer have any excuse or reason to feel that way.

I am responsible for my life, my emotions, my actions and my well being. I make the choice in how I want to exist.

We all have the power to change, and to be or to feel anything we so desire. To believe anything else is just making excuses for continuing with that with which we are "comfortable."

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. secret #1: have no expectations #2: have no ego. #3: love much #4 live in

the now

[woofless]

3. Banish desire.

[NuckinFutz]

4. I heard that the secret to a well-enjoyed life

is not getting what you want, but wanting what you already have...i.e. appreciating the blessings you already have.

[redqueen]

5. It's not a secret

You just accept what you can't change.

[TXlib]

6. Chocolate and beer.

Russian imperial stout (Like Old Rasputin) and bittersweet Droste chocolate.

Works for me.

But alcohol may not mix well with anti-depressants.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Read The Dalai Lama!

Seriously, his book The Art of Happiness is a good resource. Basically, it comes down to accepting what you have, and changing what displeases you. Remember, happiness is a choice we make, not something we can acquire.

[redqueen]

9. Oooh good suggestion!

:hi:

[Kadie]

11. I've been reading "Happy Yoga" by Steve Ross

He says, "Who are the happiest people in the world? Probably 3 year olds. Why? Because they're completely in the moment, without emotional baggage from the past or anxiety about the future - in awe of all that is and above all else, very unafraid."

Of course he hasn't met my 3 year old. LOL

But it is a very good book so far. I am only about half way through. Along with his "wisdom" he shows yoga poses and gives some mental exercises to do.

[SarahB]

20. Most definitely!

:thumbsup:
And you will never be happy trying to be someone else to please other people. You have to first embrace yourself for who you are.

[sangh0]

22. It's a great book

It really puts it out there in simple terms. I highly recommend this book

[Debi]

8. Well...

Have you ever eaten Mrs. Richardson's Butterscotch Carmel Fudge Topping on Breyer's French Vanilla Ice Cream? That's pretty close...but not really a secret. (anymore)

[camero]

10. being happy all the time

is just as much of a psychological disorder as depression. Noone can or should try to be happy all the time. It's the things that people are happy or sad about that need work, IMHO. Life itself gets better when you have the right social circle for you.

[BlueEyedSon]

12. Lots of $$$, Lots of Sex.

Did i leave anything out?

[radwriter0555]

16. It has to be GOOD sex.

ahem.

[Debi]

26. Is there such a thing

as bad sex? I know there's such a thing as not enough sex..but bad sex?

[Demobrat]

13. Keep your fixed expenses minimal and stay out of debt.

Want to be happy? Keep your stress level as low as possible. One way to do that is to owe nobody. Then you can focus on made up problems like cheating boyfriends and having nothing to wear.

[Butterflies]

14. Find people who you like to be with

My happiest times in life have been when I felt I "belonged" to a group of people, and there was lots of socializing involved.

Maybe help local Dems? That's a good way to find nice people who you'll have things in common with.

[felonious thunk]

17. I don't think there is a secret

If you're focused on the negative, and expect the worse, then it's hard to see the positive. Both are happening to you constantly, and expecting the worst just seems to mean you see the bad things more clearly and miss out on the good things. A change in my outlook changed my life. My life itself really didn't change much.

My basic attitude is that 90% of what happens around me is completely out of my control. I can take whatever steps I can to make sure that what I CAN control works out for the best. But even so, I'm going to screw up sometimes. But what can you do about it? I just accept that I'm sometimes going to fail, accept that bad stuff is sometimes going to happen, and do my best to live accepting that, and appreciating the good. It's hard to do, but I was able to take a step back and gain the perspective that things can always be worse. Life is neither good nor bad, life just is.

[Shopaholic]

18. Good health and a bad memory. . .

My favorite quote from Ingrid Bergman. I agree with that. And lots of Zoloft helps me!

[no_hypocrisy]

19. Please specify: do you mean happiness, satisfaction, or contentment, or

all of the above? I'm not being smart; I just want to answer your question to the best of my ability and experience.

[Az]

21. Letting yourself be happy

Happiness is different things for different people. The way to your happiness is yours alone. But you must first let yourself be happy.

[JVS]

23. Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, hear the lamentiations...

of their women (or men if applicable)

[YIMA]

24. Being Happy

[terrya]

25. Thank you for all your suggestions. I appreciate your advice.

Terry

[redqueen]

27. Hope some of it helped a bit!

:hug:

[terrya]

28. It did. There are some wise people here.

:hug:

Terry

[mvd]

29. Thinking of all the people who have it worse

And counting my blessings keep me up when I'm feeling down. :hi:

[Aristus]

30. I can't tell you.

It's a secret. B-) :7

Well, being married to my wife is truly a path to happiness. Statistically, it's a little shaky, though. Only one other guy has been married to my wife, and he wasn't very happy, and consequently, made her very unhappy. But I'm thrilled. Hope things pick up soon, terrya. :hug::pals: