According to Wikipedia, Happiness is defined into two distinctive fields. These are; Being psychologically happy Or being philosophically happy. Lets quickly touch on these two distinctive interpretations;

In psychology, happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being which can be defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.[1] Happy mental states may reflect judgements by a person about their overall well-being.[2]

In philosophy, happiness is translated from the Greek concept of eudaimonia, and refers to thegood life, or flourishing, as opposed to an mental emotion.

Generally speaking, happiness seems to be more of a general statement asked repeatedly by each of us everyday. The question as personal as it sometimes becomes, tends to be shrugged off with a ‘yes of course I’am’. But if we dig a little deeper, we find it may not be the case.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

So, to answer the ‘are you denying your happiness’ quandary correctly, I believe we need to define 3 areas;

Our first pitstop to defining if your denying your happiness is uncovering if you’ve ever (for whatever reason) sabotaged your own efforts to be happy. Do you constantly look at the “yeah but what if this or that happens” predicaments that may rob you of happiness when you begin to feel happy? Do you look at past experiences as the determining factor of future experiences? Do you look at other unhappy people and believe its your lot in life also? If you’ve answered yes to any to any of the above, you’re the saboteur.

Our second pitstop. Have we defined what makes you happy? Once you’ve defined it, write it down. Once written, you’ve set up the brains’ reticular activating system that then searches for and identifies with situations that match your predetermined happiness criteria. SO now instead of saying ‘I just want to be happy’ you’ve identified what will make you feel this way. This is a critical step and will put you ahead of thousands of people who are walking aimlessly through life without identifying who they are an d what will make them happy. Don't just say 'I just want to be happy’. Make it clear and concise in your mind.

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thirdly, once you’ve defined your happy place, you’re on course. Your ship is sailing in a chosen direction and not bobbing rudderless to the ebbs and flows of life. It becomes a direction and mindset chosen as well as a physical destination despite of any storms or challenges that may come. Once on your chosen direction to happiness, you’ll discover that within that journey, you’ll meet with happiness along the way. It will find you.

Below are 4 quotes on the subject you may resonate with from thought masters;

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”

― Ernest Hemingway

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

and my favourite;

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.”

― Jonathan Safran Foer

Now what about you? 

What matters most from what we’ve gathered about happiness is what makes it work for you. What form of happiness can translate to YOUR form of inner-happiness? Note to Self: no article, person, situation or external stimuli can make you happy. Its your show and your decision.

Recap:

1. Don’t sabotage your own efforts to be happy. Give yourself permission to feel happy.
2. Define your happiness (write it down on a small piece of paper and place it in your wallet/purse).
3. Stay on course to your parameters and you’ll discover that your chosen direction and journey to happiness is actually a self-fulfilling prophecy. It will find you.

P.S – Don’t forget to take advantage of our $47 | 10 Steps to Successful Manifestation offer on barrynicolaou.com

Barry x