10 THINGS TO GIVE UP IN EXCHANGE FOR HAPPINESS

10 THINGS TO GIVE UP IN EXCHANGE FOR HAPPINESS 

AUTHOR:  TAMARA STAR

Happiness. We all want to be happy don't we. It's on top of all of our lists when it comes to things we want in our life. And its the same for everyone – regardless of where you live in the world; no matter how rich or poor you are; no matter your background or your age – we all want to be happy.The question then is how ? Some try and achieve it through money and wealth (buying happiness). Others through service and charity. Others through achievements. Others through meditation. Others through drugs and alcohol. Others through relationships and sex.But many of us aren’t happy are we. And we chase after many things in life in search of it. Heck, there’s even an entire emerging branch of psychology (positive psychology) that has been coined out of the search of happiness and taking a proactive approach to fostering positive qualities in individuals.What do we change? What will make us happy? How do we attain it? happiness is a choice. Unfortunately we complicate our lives to the point of being unable to recognize happiness when it appears before our eyes. So how to clear the slate?  Here are 10 things you’ll need to give up in exchange for your happiness by Tamara Star

1. GIVE UP CARING ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU

 Spending time worrying what others think is a waste of energy. I know it is our human / pack / relational tendency. But you'll never please everyone so give up trying to please everyone. Focus less on what others think of you and more on what you think of you and what makes you happy.

2. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE.

 The thing is everyone is different and unique. So be the best version of YOU that you can be and live life to the beat of your own drum. And as Seth Godin would say – you'll then naturally attract the people that are supposed to surround you – your tribe.

3. GIVE UP PARTICIPATING IN GOSSIP. 

100 per cent of the time those sharing gossip with you will gossip about you. Believing gossip is like gambling everything on a horse sight unseen. It's naive and it doesn't serve any purpose. Smart and interesting people discuss ideas and events, not people.

4. QUIT WORRYING. 

Where thoughts go, energy flows. Worry is investing time and energy in something you don't want to have happen, that is hypothetical Anyway and that you have no control of. Worrying today about yesterday wont make tomorrow any better. Learn to let go of worry and trust.

5. DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.

 When we take ourselves too seriously, we think everyone else does too. But no one really cares or watches us that closely. So be the unique you (there is only one of you on the entire planet after all), get rid of your insecurities, have fun, enjoy the journey, and don't take yourself too seriously.

6. STOP TAKING EVERYTHING PERSONALLY. 

The truth is, most people are too consumed with their own life to really consider what you're doing. We often think the world revolves around us, but the simple truth is that it doesn't. Most people's reactions have nothing to do with you, so let it go and try not to take things personally.

7. GIVE UP THE PAST.

 We've all been hurt, we all had parents that made mistakes, we've all had challenges and faced our own battles. But don't let your past define your future. Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but they don't define our future – we are responsible for who we become and for our own happiness.

8. GIVE UP SPENDING MONEY TO BUY HAPPINESS

 Money doesn't buy you happiness. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything or the most. There's a wise saying that says that true wealth is not necessarily having everything you want, but wanting what you have. Living simply allows the space for life to flow. We complicate our lives by spending too much money and filling our home with "things." Less is truly more.

9. GIVE UP ANGER.

 Anger burns a hole in the hand of the person still holding on to it. You might be completely justified in your anger, but it nevertheless eats you up and holds you back. So move it out once and for all.

10. GIVE UP CONTROL

 Control is an illusion, as we live in a world full of change and out of our control in many ways. Learn to embrace the new and welcome change; otherwise you'll grow old through your own rigidity. Learn to let go.

Choose 1-2 of these strategies and make an effort to embrace them and implement them in your life.And let your happiness be the judge and proof of it they make a difference.