Skip to main content

What no one tells about, Happiness?


I recently read a book called Happy for No Reason book by Marci Shimoff. One of the must-read book on happiness. This post is my interpretation and understanding of the concepts. 


One of the most difficult question to ask any person is - What is Happiness? Everyone can answer this but no two answers will match as everyone's view of happiness is different. 
According to the author's research, in terms of happiness, people fall in one of the categories -

Category 1 - Unhappy
People in this category, irrespective of how good their life is, they would be depressed. You would have noticed many people in this category. Example - They would have got a new job which they longed for but they would be depressed as they didn't get the pay as expected. These people spend their days in depression and never even realize that they are not happy.

Category 2 - Happy for Bad Reasons
Some of us associate happiness with destructive habits like Smoking, excessive alcohol, Drugs or other harmful habits. This is a dangerous category to be in. These people chase happiness from unhealthy addictions and in the long term, they lose everything in life.

Category 3 - Happy for Good Reasons
Few of us associate happiness with the goals that they achieve, example - if I become successful in life, if I become a millionaire by this year, I will be happy. If I reduce that excess weight, I will be happy. 
Nothing wrong in setting goals and achieving it, these people get satisfaction from healthy experiences however these temporary experiences soon fades away.

As Deepak Chopra points out - 
If we associate happiness with any external things, remember those things can be taken away. 
Category 4 - Happy for No Reason
People who are happy for No Reason. To them, happiness is an adverb, they really don't need any reason to be happy. If they are alive, they are happy. Even small things in life make them very happy. 
Example - Some people be happy all the time, they look calm, composed and excited about their life. We don't have to be necessarily millionaires to be in this state. Kids also fall in this category. My kid, whenever he sees me, returning to home, will jump and feel happy as if an Olympian winning a gold medal.

Which category, you want to be In?
I always wish to be category 4, reason, our real goal in every goal is mostly happiness. But we keep searching happiness outside and we forget it already within and you can be instantly happy. 

Do you know, the benefits of being happy? -
Research says that - Happy people live longer, smile more, enjoy deeper relationships, achieve dreams quicker, get things done faster, become successful and be really healthy. 

The science behind happiness:
Our body will generate four molecules in the brain and these molecules play a crucial role in our happiness -
Dopamine - Molecule that is associated with novelty seeking, promotes goal-driven behavior, makes to seek to do new things, seeks exciting and new experiences. This makes it associated with addiction. The effect of dopamine is only for a few seconds. It's not stable or long-lasting and a dopamine release will keep wanting more and more.
Serotonin - Serotonin flows when you feel significant or important. Loneliness or depression is present when this is absent. Much more of subtle feeling, one way of distinguishing between dopamine and serotonin is, dopamine gives you a short bit of excitement whereas serotonin gives you a longer lasting sense of contentment. It lasts for a few days to weeks.
Oxytocin - The release of oxytocin creates intimacy, trusts and strengthens relationships. Changes the way, genes are operating, this gives you a much longer sense of contentment. Oxytocin is the glue that binds healthy relationships. The simple way of flowing oxytocin is giving someone a hug. Giving someone as a gift also raises oxytocin levels.  This lasts from months to years. 
Endorphins - This chemical is released in response to pain and stress and helps to alleviate anxiety. Exercise and Laugher are the easiest ways to release this endorphin.
Aromatherapies, dark chocolates and spicy foods also help to release endorphins.
Aah, now you would have understood why you keep doing a few things for happiness. 
Read this article for better insights of these molecules - click here

According to Marci, everyone has happiness setpoint in our lives. Just like thermostat we will be happy only based on our setpoint. The only thing that we can do is to increase the setpoint through some habits. 

Few Happiness habits that we can follow to increase happiness in our lives-
1. Being grateful for what we have - Put your attention on what you appreciate to expand the energy of your heart.
2. Make peace with yourself - Lighten your load by accepting the past and moving forward.
3. Focus on solutions - To become more empowered, build on what's already working to improve any situation in your life.
4. Incline your mind toward joy - Lean into the thoughts that support your happiness.
5. Nourishing our body with optimal nutrition and supplementation.
 
6. Invite connection with your Higher power - Find silence through prayer, meditation or time in nature to experience your relationship to your higher power.

There are many other happiness habits mentioned in the book, go through and start living with the right habits.
There is no way for happiness and happiness is the way.
Let me share one exercise from the book that you do right now -

Daily Happiness Awards-
1. Throughout the day, look around you with an eye to giving out awards.
2. Be creative, For example, as you look at flowers, notice the one that could get the "Most Unusual Color" award or find one that's had the hardest struggle to survive, but made it, and give it the "Best Blossom of the Day" award. Look for extraordinary smiles, efficient service, or ingenious solutions to everyday challenges. There's no limit to the type or number of awards you can give in a day.
3. Invite other family members or friends to play this award game, and at the end of the day, tell each other the awards you've given out.

You can have more happiness in your life right now. Today, you don't have to fall in love, wait for the new home, make a million dollars..Happiness is just moments away.

Thank You, Marci, for the wonderful book.
With Love, 
VJ
Book link - 
India Users - Click Here
UK Users - Click Here

Comments

Instagram Updates

Popular posts from this blog

Take the ultimate step in your life, what's your Financial Freedom Number!!

Article #3 6 Minutes Read!  Read it repeatedly, this single article will give you complete insights on money management and how to achieve it. I'm VJ and welcome you to this wonderful millionaire journey!! A Quick Recap on Financial Freedom -  Definition of Financial Freedom - Ability to live your life with your passive income or cash flow that you earn from your  assets (Investments and income from real estate, for example). At this point, you no longer need to do anything for money. You are officially becoming MASTER to MONEY!!  Money says everyday to you - "How May I help You, Master?" Benefits of Financial Freedom Freedom and Flexibility - Y ou get to decide how you work, who you work with, and how long you work for; you’re not at the mercy of employers and employment contracts. Early Retirement - You can still go to work if you want to but you have option of retiring early. Follow your Heart - You can pursue your passion which you were post

Quick & Important Tips to grow your Freedom Fund Account

Have you started your freedom fund account? Do you want it to grow fast? I can hear you say YES, that's great. Thank You In case if you are wondering what am I talking about, you must read this post . Welcome to this wonderful journey. Freedom Fund Account is our golden goose and it should be not be taken during any circumstance. Hope you guys aware of it. Why? As this is going to give us the freedom that we want in life. Okay, now let’s look at how to grow it fast - 1. Contribute to the FFA every day: Have a Jar at your home, Label it as FFA and you can contribute to it every day or you can do that by maintaining a separate bank account. This habit’s going to tell to your subconscious mind that, contributing to FFA is important for you and you are very serious about it. Your mind will start to do magic; it will generate many ideas to increase your FFA. 2. Choose the right Investment Strategy: See the below example, #5 different person using a different str

Being happy no matter what!!

What do we really want in life? We are all stuck in the myth of more? What do we do to be happy? Can we really be happy? Watch this video to find out more...