You can’t choose to be happy, except the sole reason you’re not is that you’ve chosen so. Only if you’ve chosen to feel miserable can you change your decision and be happy instead. But how often do you choose to feel miserable? That’s right. And that’s why you usually can’t choose to feel happy.
In an important sense, happiness is a chemical state based on certain ranges of neurotransmitter levels in your central nervous system. You can’t directly control this system by choice. Yet, there are indirect ways to influence your limbic system and increase your happiness—namely, lifestyle choice and mindset choice.
Lifestyle choice
You can choose to take daily action toward greater happiness by aligning your lifestyle more and more with your greatest dreams.
Does the first thing you do after waking up in the morning bring you joy?
Do you feel gratitude for your job and the people you work and surround yourself with?
Do you move your body often, eat nutritious food, sleep well, and practice some form of meditation?
Do all your habits harmonize with your life’s purpose?
Do you listen to music that promotes the mood you desire?
Do you breathe fresh air and experience nature?
Mindset choice
You can choose to look at life, yourself, and others in a way that brightens up your every day.
Do you accept the fact that pride is an integral part of happiness?
Does your attitude build up a wall of false pride to protect your ego?
Do you understand that fear, discomfort and resistance are vital opportunities to deepen your joy?
Do you attach too much importance to negative trifles while overlooking delightful ones?
Do your thoughts chime well with your True Will, or do they rationalize instant gratification?
Do you compulsively overthink your actions or ruminate afterwards?
Conclusion
You can’t choose to feel happy, but you can choose to live a fulfilling life and nurture an uplifting mind.
Further Reading
[…] You should enjoy yourself and be happy. […]