Happiness is not a goal; it is a byproduct. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Some people seem to be effortlessly happy all the time, no matter what the situation. These people are not superhuman, nor do they know something we do not know.

They simply enjoy life and discover that when they laugh, do things they enjoy, refuse to worry about trivial matters, and love unconditionally, they end up feeling genuinely happy.

We cannot just wake up everyday and say, “I am going to be happy today,” and expect it to happen.

Those who lack the gene to smile through sadness and see the positive in every downfall must consciously make decisions that allow the mind and heart to be free and openly accept love and joy.

As Eleanor Roosevelt implied, happiness is not something you aim for; rather, it just happens as a result of the decisions you make day-to-day.

Make good decisions, and we will naturally unleash the happiness that accompanies our positive choices.

I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. – Martha Washington

Martha Washington believed that a person’s take on life determines personal happiness – not the forces that act upon the person.

We must stop blaming anything and everything external for our misfortune.

Misfortune is a state of mind, a concept. It is not a real thing.

We invent misfortune when we allow our minds to be corrupted by negativity, ignorance, laziness, immaturity, and hate.

ACTION

Cease viewing life in terms of how it ranks on the scale of misfortune, and begin to view it as a bucket being continuously filled with experiences, knowledge, imagination, relationships, and growth.

See life as an adventure and an amazing opportunity to learn everything you possibly can; see, smell, taste, and touch everything you possibly can; and love and grow as much as you possibly can.

Make the decision to view life in this way, and you will find that misfortune does not have to exist.

You will begin to notice that you, too, can be effortlessly happy.

 

This article was originally posted on April 20, 2012 and has since been revised and republished.

(photo credit: Smiling Dog via photopin license)