Happiness is as simple as your state of mind

I once heard someone say that happiness is basically a feeling of being content most of the time. It's not found in the possession of "things" or through the existence of someone else. And, even though it may sound trite, happiness comes from within.

It's often said that "if only I could win the lottery I could be happy," or "if only I could drop 20 pounds then I could be happy," or, or, or…

Doing all these things may give you "blissful ecstasy" for a short time, but they don't make you happy. Deciding to be happy, instead of "doing happy," will give you that inner joy that permeates whatever life gives you.

There's a quote out there that says "don't defer living until things get better. This may be as good as it gets,"

That new car may give you momentary pleasure, but once the "newness" wears off, you'll have to find something else to get that "high," It's much the same way with people who have to buy "things," or smoke "things," or drink too much. That extreme makeover may fix whatever you think needs re-doing on the outside, but how much is enough — perfection? Will that be enough to make you happy?

During a recent project, my son got to know a number of people who are a hundred-plus years old. He discovered some universal characteristics among these people who lived extraordinarily long lives. Their basic health habits weren't unique but the way they looked at life set them apart.

They all seemed to have a passion for some "thing" in their lives. It may have been their profession, or religion, or just a passion for living. They accepted their losses with grace. Many had lost children and friends along the way. While saddened by death, they accepted it with a quiet grace that just happened as part of the life cycle.

They had a sense of adventure and perhaps for a hundredth birthday, experienced a high-flying journey in a hot-air balloon or a thrilling ride in an Indy 500 car.

Most importantly, they felt that life was good. Their attitudes were positive. Their need for approval didn't hinge on other people or "things" they acquired. Their contentment came from within.

Enjoying your uniqueness and nourishing your sense of self is like putting a deposit in your bank of inner contentment. The more we cater to the outside world, the more we lose touch with the beauty of our inside world. We need both to have balance

The elusive bird of happiness doesn't have to be elusive. We can find it at our own back door. When you make a decision to be in a state of "being" happy, you will "do" those things that naturally contribute to your happiness. We are human "beings" — not human "doings."