Being Happy is Finding Happiness Yourself

Research has been going on over the past decade to understand what happiness is and how to get happy. Wikipedia defines happiness as a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure and joy. Our culture today is filled with marketing techniques that promote buying this or that and getting happy. This is not the case -buying does not create long-lasting happiness. It creates a burst of pleasure that burns out quickly

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, who are studying what is called "authentic happiness" have published their results on the subject and being happy. The following information is a summary of their findings on happiness.

1. Happy people spend time with others. People who spend a great deal of time alone are less happy than those who surround themselves with family and friends. People who are not afraid of personal growth and intimacy are more likely to feel happiness in their lives.

2. Happy people do not judge themselves by what others think. They find happiness in what they are doing, what they have done, and what they anticipate doing in the future. They measure being happy based on what they feel - not what others tell them is happiness.

3. Happy people are content with what they have and do not base their happiness on what they can get or buy. Research is showing that materialism if toxic for happiness.

4. Happy people who are in the "flow" are active people who can easily get absorbed in what they are doing and loose track of time. When someone is absorbed in activities, they don't have the time to worry.

5. Happy people use their strengths and do not dwell on their limitations. They solve problems by employing their strengths, thus they are typically successful and success creates happiness.

6. Happy people think about, talk about, and write about being grateful. In fact, doing these things not only makes people happy, it amplifies their sense of happiness. Happiness can be created by even relishing small pleasures.

7. Happy people are forgiving. Research indicates that forgiveness is the strongest trait linked to happiness. Although it the strongest trait for happiness, it may also be the most difficult one to acquire.

8. Happy people are altruistic. They reap much happiness by giving and doing for others. Even when they are not sure that giving is better, after they give, they do feel increased happiness and have learned that what they were afraid to give away, did not decrease their happiness.

Another research finding is that 50% of our ability to be happy is genetic. This leaves people a big percentage of time to make themselves happy in the right ways.