30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

goldeneagle — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:05:55 GMT

Happiness is being true to yourself and living your life in truth. Treating people with respect and showing people compassion is the basis for overall fullfillment and joy. When you give of yourself, you always get more in return.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Peanut — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:41:08 GMT

Money is necessary. It is traded for what we need to exist in this society. Sometimes we have to take a job that is less than desirable simply to exist; to pay our bills,to purchase food, etc.

Our attitude towards that job helps. When I am at work I realize that if I were to "win the lottery" I would quit in a heartbeat. However, I know that this is rather improbable and I must have a healthy attiude towards this reality.

We have a small income, a little tiny apt, and a tight budget. However, we are careful and are able to enjoy our life together. We play music together, take little trips on the weekend, are careful to save a little from each check so we can take care of car problems, etc, and we eat good food which is actually less expensive than the usual national fare.

We are very much in love and very happy. Remember that old song, "I ain't got a barrell of money , but we'll travel along singing a song side by side".

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

datdere — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:07:35 GMT

Isn't it interesting how many suggestions have to do with what I would call "attention" and how and where it is focused? I have always taken more than a passing interest in savoring the passage of time and in trying to discover the secret to a richer life, but I could never "get it"...that is until I did a singular and unfortunately generally inconceivable (to our culture anyway) thing: I disconnected cable TV from my home. Those of you who do not have cable TV know what I am talking about. That simple act transformed my life and honestly, I didn't even really watch that much before (less than two hours a day...FAR less than the five hours the average American adult watches). Even still...I have TWO EXTRA HOURS PER DAY and the average American adult would have FIVE...think about it! Now, this isn't a total anti-TV (the device itself) rant and I still enjoy films occasionally at home. Unhooking the cable was significant, but was merely a catalyst for many other improvements that have themselves led to a richer, fuller life. I am a contemporary artist who paints, draws and also works extensively with photography and video, so I have what you might call an insider's perspective on media/image-culture and still would not trust my own ability to resist the absolute razor-sharp, sublimely powerful mind-control tactics employed on either cable or network TV...and that includes (especially?!) Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. You're fooling yourself if you think you can watch unaffected. I now find that I not only have a ridiculous amount of free time outside of work (I have a day job too), but that I am able to focus my attention on what matters: riding my bicycle...fast, feeling the sun and the wind on my face, preparing and eating a delicious meal with my wife, producing "culturally valuable" (I hope :-) works of art, reading, listening to great music-live and at home, walking my dog...it goes on and on. You don't need it. Go two SOLID weeks without and you will see.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

amindseye2020 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:31:37 GMT

Am I alone on this? This subject of finances and how it relates to happyness is a subject I've often debated with myself as well as many friends. Having many family members and friends that have struggled with depression over the years has caused me to analyse this matter. I have found for me personally happyness comes from having a balance in 5 areas of my life which is also philosophy which has it's roots in Japan if I'm not mistaken. Healthy body, Healthy mind, Healthy finances, Healthy family, Healthy spirit. I've heard it compaired to spokes on a wheel. If one of the spokes is out of balance the entire wheel is off balance.

I once read this ha I once heard a quote that I found putting a smile on my face. "money doesn't make you happy. But it's right up there with oxygen. You aren't going to go to far without it."

I would also like to add that I've noticed two main things that really are essential as well. What seems to separate the depressed or unhappy from the happy seems to be just simply having a goal or goals that one is actively making progress toward on a daily basis. It seems almost to simple however I find that if I don't have a goal that I've made progress toward today I don't have much happyness. When this goal is intertwined with helping others it seems that one can not help but have some happyness.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Sandy Radoy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:10:17 GMT

Things will never make anyone happy! Once acquired we want something more! Always reaching, trying to satisfy the itch that can never be scratched.

On awaking each morning, despite any current bumps in my road, I count my many blessings. I grew up in a disfunctional, unhappy family. Arguments ensued and often left me hiding my head in my pillow. Unlike what one generally reads about continuing the negative pattern; that life taught me what I did not want and I proceeded to find (with God's guidance and love), a life that has felt very purposeful. I believe that if we stay in tune and observe every opportunity or personal contact that crosses ones path, we will realize that it was not an accident and a gift in your life is there to be accepted and applied..

I met my husband in my senior year in High School and he is my soul mate. In January we will celebrate our 40th anniversary.We have 3 children and 4 Grandchildren. The sunrise & sunset fills me with awe. My children and Grandchildren expressing their appreciation and love fills me with enough happiness that I could almost burst. Doing some little thing or saying something positive to someone that makes their day fills me with happiness. Feeling God's presence both in me and around me during praise and worship and reaching out to all my brothers and sisters in Christ and allowing them to reach out to me when I need a bit of encouragement makes me happy. Little things and beautiful moments and memories are pure life and happiness itself.Our income is moderate, but I feel rich in all the ways that matter I love art, photography, graphic arts, music,circuit training, yoga, pilates, biking, hiking, boating,fishing,nature, sewing,crocheting, traveling, reading, dreaming and dancing.I LOVE LIFE! It does not take much to make me laugh. Later I have no clue what was so funny but I am happy!God has blessed me. We were created for relationship with God. Ask him to walk with you daily and let him lead. You will be happy too

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

mlystew — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:01:12 GMT

It is hard to be happy and in college at the same time (especially if you just had a calc 2 exam where you KNOW you are probably not going to get any higher than a 'C', or you have to correct your paper for an ENG 2 class that you absolutely HATE!!) Sorry if I am venting, but so far it has been a rough week( steelers lost, afore mentioned calc 2 test, stupid paper due, etc.) and it is only tuesday!!! I can't wait till this semester is over!

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Federico — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:57:30 GMT

On the issue of Happiness: all given suggestions are good (laugh, whistle, dance around etc). What works best for me is nurturing the spirit. We are created in the image of God. He has created us with a hole in our heart that only He can fill. Rev Billy Graham says: "In the world in which we live, we give most attention to satisfying the appetites of the body and practically none to the soul. Consequently, we are one-sided. We become fat physically and materially, while spiritually we are lean, weak and anemic. The soul actually demands as much attention as the body. It demands fellowship and communion with God. It demands worship, quietness and meditation. Unless the soul is fed and exercised daily, it becomes weak and shriveled. It remains discontented, confused, restless. Many people turn to alcohol to try to drown the cryings and longings of the soul. Some turn to a new sex experience. Others attempt to quiet the longings of their souls in other ways. But nothing but God ever completely satisfies, because the soul was made for God, and without God it is restless and in secret torment."

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Nathan_203 — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:55:25 GMT

Well said, still.learning, I have noticed the media over and over again , when announcing a cancer diagnosis, especially of a celebrity, pushes headlines that scream say, "Kylie battles cancer" , " The fight of her life", " Kylie's cancer scare" and so on. We are conditioned to adopt that viewpoint.

That kind of thinking, in my view, puts the unwary sufferer on high alert, stressed out, with a negative disease focussed attitude, and the adrenalin pumps and fear sets in, making it difficult to make a rational descision, let alone recover.

Why not see illness as a reminder to take stock, maybe make some physical or emotional changes, and although this may be confronting, that's what www.friendswithcancer.com is all about. Well worth a visit.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

alexism — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:32:30 GMT

This has nothing to do with this subject, but I need some advice and don't know where else to post this. Please let me know if you have had a similar experience or if you have any advice to give. I am worried and am not sure where I went wrong with my diet.

I attempted a vegetarian lifestyle for 3-4 months. During that time, I paid VERY close attention to my nutrition. I juiced every morning (carrots, apples, cucumber, zuchinni, tomatoes, spinach) and followed that with a smoothie (frozen banannas/strawberries, yogurt, peanut butter, coconut oil, almond milk.) I ate lots of broccoli, eggs, and cheese and I cooked everything in serious butter (well, a 'healthy butter with omegas added) to ensure I was getting some fat in my system too. Oh, and I cut out alcohol entirely and drank only water and some coffee.

I noticed my appetite was getting smaller and smaller and I related that to the fact that I was getting so much nutrition through the juices and smoothies that my body just didn't need more.

Now, 4 months later, I realize I have some how seriously damaged my body. I lost over 20 lbs in about 3 months and I lost nearly... no... not nearly... all.. absolutely all of my muscle mass. I look like a tooth pick. My 'skinny' clothes that haven't been touched in years are now hanging on me like I'm a friggin' coat hanger. And, the thing is, I didn't need to lose any weight to begin with. I now weigh 110 lbs (less than I did in high school) and I am trying like a crazy person to put some weight back on. Oh, and, my hair stylist felt the need to tell me I lost a lot of hair in the sink after she washed it. And, my nails have deep vertical ridges.

I want to take care of my body, which is what I thought I had been doing all along. Argh! Can anyone tell me if they have had a similar experience? And, what did you do to fix it? I know I should go to a doctor, but I just moved across the country and my finances are squashed. Any sug

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Sheila C — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:35:15 GMT

The only one I can't agree with is #27 - stop watching or reading the news. I like to be informed about what is going on in the world. But if it upsets you, by all means stop. But if we all did this, Dr. Mercola would have quite a few less vital voters.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

samurai — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:29:24 GMT

It is interesting to me, all of the Hollywood stars emerging and talking about their depression. This illustrates the one thing that does not create happiness; wealth.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Patty D — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:26:28 GMT

I just received a wav file via email that fits right in with this article called "The Seven Wonders of the World". I have no clue how to post a wave file here, but if you can find it, it's great.

re: 30 Simple Secrets to Happiness

Alaskadude — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:46:59 GMT

30 of anything sounds more complex than simple...

Someone correct me if I don't have this perfect but doesn't Proverbs say:

"He that would love life and see good days keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile"