GUIDE

 

Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
- Aristotle

The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness. - David Hume

When we are happy, we're living the life we were meant to live. - Alexandra Stoddard


    It is amazing how varied the experience of life can be.   For some -  a constant source of joy and for others - mostly misery.
    Why is this so? Is our happiness totally dependent on life events such as poverty, illness, loss, or war?  Is it dependent on our religious beliefs?  Could it be that our happiness is entirely within our control?
Happiness is the rational understanding of life and the world. -Baruch Spinoza

Happiness is something you design. - Jim Rohn

Happiness is something we are. - John B. Sheerin

    Happiness is an abiding sense of peace, contentment, and satisfaction.  It is the constant thrill of the input from our senses - the color of a leaf, the sound of a melody, the taste of a meal, or the company of friends.  It is a child-like appreciation and enjoyment of each moment.  It is a state of mind that perceives our existence as worthy and meaningful.  It is the result of the cultivation of discipline and virtue within ourself.
The very purpose of our life is happiness. - The Dalai Lama

The pursuit of happiness ... is the greatest feat man has to accomplish.
     -Robert Henri

    God has given us life and the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE how we use it.  We can be lazy, self-centered, and generally evil (which has it delights), but inevitably result in fear, anxiety, and stress.  In the alternative, we can CHOOSE to develop discipline and virtue which allows us to live in peace with contentment.
    A happy life is not the result of good fortune, the acts of third parties, or outside events.  It is solely the result of our CHOICES and is the most important decision of our life.  Though difficult, the pursuit of happiness should be our life's work.
The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. -Thales

When we know ourselves well, we are free to move forward with our lives. -Alexandra Stoddard

Failing to understand the workings of one's own mind is bound to lead to unhappiness. -Marcus Aurelius

    Most of us are so absorbed in satisfying the obligations of our daily lives that we simply do not realize whether we are happy. We should though, examine ourselves by asking: "Do I experience stress, anxiety, or fear each day?"
    If upon reflection, we recognize that anxiety - not bliss - is the norm in our days, then we should conclude that basically or frequently we are not happy.  This is an important determination because there can be no motivation to alter our lives until we realize our true condition.
Most of us try to find happiness in material things, but real tranquility and peace comes from within. -The Dalai Lama

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. -Mahatma Gandhi
   
    We are animals and are genetically hardwired to seek water, warmth, food, and sex. Our genes dictate survival,  propagation, and immediate satisfaction.  In addition, we are culturally educated to seek wealth, power, and recognition.  Physical possessions and status can become all-consuming and we compete for distinction with our peers.  All of the above, to some degree, create fear, stress, and anxiety.
    To pursue the goals dictated by our genes or culture (PROGRAMMING) leads us away from a correct understanding of what is important in life.  As a result, many of us squander our lives having never realized that we have the opportunity and freedom to seek another course of action.
Like swimming, riding, writing, or playing golf, happiness can be learned.              -Dr. Boris Sokoloff

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.
-Abraham Lincoln

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on the outward circumstances. -Benjamin Franklin

Begin at once a program of self-mastery. -Epictetus

    All major religions and modern science agree on the requirements for happiness.  Unfortunately, these requirements are not well defined or articulated.  If we CHOOSE to develop and practice the following six disciplines, we will experience  happiness.  The pursuit of these disciplines will require unrelenting effort and self-denial.  The victory is never complete and the battle for self-mastery must be constantly refought.

WHAT SHALL WE DO THEN?  - Luke 3:10

Without discipline, there's no life at all. - Katharine Hepburn

You must cultivate your mind if you wish to achieve enduring happiness.
-William Lyon Phelps

Happiness is a habit - cultivate it. -Elbert Hubbard

If you want a happy life, tie it to a goal. -Albert Einstein

    Self-control is learned.  It is not a gift of birth. A good learning system is often the difference between success and failure. 
    Our conduct is the result of innumerable judgments which we make each day. Self-mastery is obtained by setting small realistic goals and then achieving them. If we fail, set a new less difficult goal until we can train ourselves to achieve our goals.  We can then progress by setting new more difficult goals.  This pursuit-of-goal process strengthens and builds our ability to control our conduct and creates good habits.  Good habits solidify into character.
    Mastery of ourselves is the root source of all happiness.
God sells us all things at the price of labor. - Leonardo da Vinci

Success is dependent on effort. -Sophocles

Taste the joy that springs from labor. -William Wadsworth Longfellow

One is happy as a result of one's own efforts.  - George Sand

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action. -Benjamin Disraeli

The best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. -Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

  Self-mastery is only achieved with enormous, methodical, unrelenting EFFORT.  Each day, our resolve to control our lives will be challenged by our ego,  pride, and our desire for short-term pleasures. It requires a constant assertion of our self-discipline and will.  This effort to control our conduct must continue until the moment of our death. 
    If at night we can go to sleep knowing in our hearts that our effort that day was the best that we could make, then we can be content and live in happiness.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mahatma Gandhi

To thy own self be true: and it shall follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. -William Shakespeare

It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself.  -Thomas Paine

With increased integrity comes increased happiness. - Tal Ben-Sharar
 
    We are perceived by others by our words and deeds.  By our actions, we can affect all with whom we have contact.  This requires us to be solely responsible for all we say and do.
    As important as integrity is in our relationships with others, it is even more important in our perception of ourselves.   Many short-term goals can be achieved through deception and deceit,  but always at the expense of our self-respect.  Guilt feelings create high anxiety.  Happiness can only be achieved if we feel good about ourselves and our role in the world.
Caring about others . . . bring happiness. - Rabbi Harold Kushner

Happiness . . . consists in giving, and in serving others. -Henry Drummond

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. -Albert Einstein

If you wish to be happy yourself, you must resign yourself to seeing others also happy. -Bertrand Russell

    Caring means that we have a true concern for the rights, property, and opinions of others.  This is not our natural inclination.  Our genes and culture instruct us to first care for ourselves.  The unpleasant results of selfishness are well known.  We cannot feel good about ourselves when we have benefitted at the expense of others.
    All major religions recognize that IT IS IN OUR OWN BEST INTEREST TO CARE FOR OTHERS because by so doing, we can realize the greatest measure of life and happiness.  Remember the basic tenant of our Christian religion is "Love thy neighbor". Only when our caring for others exceeds our own self-interest, have we truly matured.  Spend your life in service to others.
Forgiveness is the key to peace and happiness. -J.P.Vaswani

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.             -Harriet Uts Nelson

How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself. -Pulius Syrus

Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven. -Psalm 32

    Each day, we humans, interact with other people. In some instances, our ego will determine that we have been "wronged" and demand "justice".  The support of our ego always results in some stress which contributes to 0ur unhappiness.  The stress can be eliminated by the unconditional forgiveness of the "wrong".
    Some "wrongs" are truly unjust and the demands of our egos are powerful.  Our minds though, must realize the wisdom of seeking happiness over the satisfaction of revenge.  The ego must be controlled and the discipline of forgiveness must be developed. 
    Forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself.
. . . thanks is the highest form of thought. -G.K.Chesterton

The secret of being joyful is to be always grateful. -Anthony de Mello

A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. -Cicero

Practice having a grateful attitude and you will be happy. -Epictetus

    We are constantly confronted with difficult problems and people.  This is the real world and we should expect nothing more.  Being realistic though, should not preclude us from smiling.  The breeze is there - do we feel it?  The birds are singing - do we hear them?  We have family and friends - do we truly appreciate them?
    We must focus on the present - no worry about the past or future.  Be realistic, but don't dwell on the unpleasant.  Be satisfied with "doing your best."  Have goals and expectations, but never forget the many blessings that you have received and the many people who have assisted you.  Life is occurring NOW and cannot be delayed.  It must be savored one moment at a time.  We must learn to appreciate this wonderful experience we call life.
For men are made for happiness, and anyone who is completely happy has the right to say to himself, 'I am doing God's will on earth'. - The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the face of men and women, I see God. -Walt Whitman

Happiness is the inner deity. -Marcus Aurelius

    We begin our lives as genetically-driven animals and are taught a pattern of living.  We are, in effect, PROGRAMMED to live in a certain manner which may not be conducive for a happy life.  The great REALIZATION of life is that we do not need to remain a slave to our PROGRAMMING but can pursue happiness.  God has given us the right to CHOOSE our path.  God has made us free.
    With discipline, we can obtain self-mastery and happiness.  This requires great effort and is most difficult, but the pursuit offers tremendous rewards.  Instead of life being filled with stress, anxiety, and fear, it can be a feast to our senses and our lives can be filled with contentment, satisfaction, and joy.  To seek happiness is to grow spiritually and to do God's will here on earth. 
                                         J.H.B.
I marvel at the wonders of creation and the mysteries of life.  There is order and logic in the world and I sense the presence of GOD.
                                              
                I am thankful for:
                                          1) Life itself and the experience of consciousness
                                          2) The beauty that surrounds me
                                          3) The opportunity for happiness
                                          4) The freedom to pursue it

                I pray for the intellect to discover happiness and the discipline to purse it.
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