Number 6: Find Happiness Through Selflessness, Charity, Compassion and Forgiveness

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Humans are social by nature, and our mind-bodies have evolved in such a way that when we help each other we become happier. It is in our nature to build secure relationships with each other. One of the most important ways of connecting with others, even perfect strangers, is to focus on their needs. As we feel more connected, and as we act in ways that help build and maintain secure relationships, we become happier. The four main ways we focus on the needs of others are by practicing selflessness, charity, compassion and forgiveness.

The four main ways we focus on the needs of others are by practicing selflessness, charity, compassion and forgiveness.

Number 8: The Purpose of Life is to Be Happy

The biggest question we face as humans is, why are we here? What is our purpose? To become a happier person, you should try to answer this question for yourself. I take my cue on this from the Dalai Lama who said, “The purpose of your life is to be happy!” This may sound selfish, unrealistic or even wrong to some people. But I think it is true. The purpose of life is to be happy.

Number 5: Find Happiness Through Meditation

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Happiness does not exist in the past and it does not exist in the future. It exists right now. To be happy, you have to be here now to experience it. If your attention is on what happened to you in the past, or what may happen in the future, you will not be in the present – and happiness will elude you. Regular meditation is the most powerful tool we have for keeping attention in the “now.”

Regular meditation is the most powerful tool we have for keeping attention in the “now.”

Number 4: Choose Happiness as if Your Life Depends on It

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To be happy, you have to choose to be happy, regardless of your life situation. You need to choose happiness as if your life depends on it because, in reality, it does. If your ability to live a more successful, longer and healthier life depends on being happy, then you always need to choose it. Even if your life is not what you want it to be, and it seems irrational to do so, you still have to choose happiness.

Number 3: Don’t Let Pleasure Obscure Happiness

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Everyone seems to be in a 24/7 rush for pleasure and distraction. What people really want is to be happy, but they seem to spend most of their time seeking sense pleasures. Perhaps they believe that pleasure leads to happiness. Or, maybe they have all given up on happiness and figure that they might at least find pleasure while they can. The problem is, the headlong race for pleasure can obscure real happiness. If you can just let go of your cravings for pleasurable experiences, you can be happier right now.