by Melinda Barr

Created on: February 02, 2010

The first secret to finding your share of happiness is to believe that it is something you truly deserve. Frequently we get caught up in finding fault with ourselves, and forget to focus on the unique traits that make us special, deserving human beings.

People find happiness in different ways and from diverse things or circumstances. Be aware of times of happiness, contentment, or peace in your daily living. Try to discover as many situations in your life that bring these feelings to the forefront. Always remember that happiness is a state of mind, and how you define it can be quite different from others. Avoid comparing yourself to other people, because what brings them happiness may not work for you.

Learn to accept yourself for who you are and not for what you feel others think you should be. If you have an area within yourself that you are not happy with, take steps to make any necessary changes. For example, if you believe you would be happier if you could just lose thirty extra pounds, take steps today to work on losing the first five pounds.

If you believe that more money will bring you true happiness, look for ways to find a higher paying job, or earning extra money through other means. If your dream is to change careers, make an appointment with a career counselor to begin examining the process.

In other words, happiness does not come as result of dreams or wishes. Perhaps if you were to examine more closely the things that bring you true happiness, you would be better prepared to make your dreams a reality. If you are not happy with where you are right now, find ways to make changes in your life.

There are so many articles written today on the realities of discovering your true source of contentment (or happiness). In reality, only you know what brings you the greatest source of joy. If you are happy being a stay at home mom, then stay at home. If other people think you should go to work and bring some cash into the home, then you are buying into their dreams, not yours.

Stop comparing yourself to what you think impresses others. You are you, and that will never change. Only you have the power to look inside yourself and determine what it is you need to find fulfillment and contentment. Only you can determine what you need (or want) to feel whole and complete.

Many people find joy and contentment in staying home and tending to their children and spouse. Other people in the same situation would feel smothered, trapped, and unhappy. There is no one magic formula. You are you, and your happiness is yours. The chore is to find the source, and stick with it.

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