A popular greeting card attributes this quote to Henry David Thoreau: "Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder."
With all due respect to the author of Walden, that just isn't so, according to a growing number of psychologists. You can choose to be happy, they say. You can chase down that elusive butterfly and get it to sit on your shoulder. How? In part, by simply making the effort to monitor the workings of your mind.
Research has shown that your talent for happiness is, to a large degree, determined by your genes. Psychology professor David T. Lykken, author of Happiness: Its Nature and Nurture, says that "trying to be happier is like trying to be taller." We each have a "happiness set point," he argues, and move away from it only slightly.
And yet, psychologists who study happiness -- including Lykken -- believe we can pursue happiness. We can do this by thwarting negative emotions such as pessimism, resentment, and anger. And we can foster positive emotions, such as empathy, serenity, and especially gratitude.

Happiness Strategy # 1: Don't Worry, Choose Happy

The first step, however, is to make a conscious choice to boost your happiness. In his book, The Conquest of Happiness, published in 1930, the philosopher Bertrand Russell had this to say: "Happiness is not, except in very rare cases, something that drops into the mouth, like a ripe fruit. ... Happiness must be, for most men and women, an achievement rather than a gift of the gods, and in this achievement, effort, both inward and outward, must play a great part."
Today, psychologists who study happiness heartily agree. The intention to be happy is the first of The 9 Choices of Happy People listed by authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks in their book of the same name.
"Intention is the active desire and commitment to be happy," they write. "It's the decision to consciously choose attitudes and behaviors that lead to happiness over unhappiness."

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*** Member's, please post your tips (links) on ways/things that make you 'Happy***

 

I 100% agree with #8 above!!!!

 

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Hi Barbara, you should be twice as happy then having 2 awesome Monte Carlo's 4>Sure

 

I am definitely happy that I have the Montes that I have!!

 

Maybe we should make the below song our MCF Theme `song Click & Sing/Dance/Have Fun >EnJoy your Now<4>Sure<

 

I am pretty happy with where I stand in life. Life has its issues but you just deal with them and make the best out of every situation. Try not to worry about small things and keep calm with major issues. It helps a lot.

 

Thanks Barb & Zach for your contributions to this Happy Thread

Good Advice 'Zach 4>Sure. Did you learn from your parents ?

Wish you & all readers of this a >Happy Life> Be the Driver 4>Sure