Happiness is a choice. It’s a one or a zero. And it’s best on than off. And we have 100% control over our happiness. So, here are some strategies for generating happiness, no matter what happens externally. After all, our internal environment dictates how we ultimately feel.
Exercise. Just today, I went swimming. The high I felt afterward was astounding. And it lasts most of the day. And the meal that followed tasted a thousand times better than it would’ve had I not trained. The more disciplined we get with exercise, the more thrilling training becomes. It becomes a rush, releasing endorphins like nothing else. If you want to ride a high in life, exercise steadily.
Learn a new skill. If there is something we lack in life, there is a reason to learn a new skill. For example, I needed to improve my problem-solving, cleaning, and swimming skills. But now I’m learning these things. When we fill in our gaps, when we correct our weaknesses, it’s a rush. It’s just as exciting as skydiving when we make progress.
Pursue a certificate, diploma, or degree. All these things increase our income-earning potential, which means we’ll have more resources to meet basic needs, learn skills, exercise, help others, and so on. But more than that, knowledge is power. We open our minds to new ideas, passions, and dreams with knowledge. But the key is to never stop learning. And after age 65, I believe some universities will let us do an undergraduate program for free. Regardless, never stop studying. Become a lifelong learner—even in your 90s or later. We must keep learning at hyper-speed until we leave this world. That’s because I believe our knowledge and skills have profound implications, not just in this lifetime but in the afterlife.
Be selfless by giving others time, resources, and service. Today, a grocery store host heaped my plate with extra food servings. He was generous. His generosity brought me joy, and I reflected on the excellent karma he indeed manifests. He’s a role model for how everyone should be. The more generous we are with our resources, the more happiness we bring his world. And the joy we give just one other person filters down to at least two hundred others, according to a near-death experiencer’s video I watched. That’s undoubtedly the goal in life: to be a source of joy. Generosity is one way to achieve this splendid state.
Choose healthy environments. That means staying clear of nightclubs, bars, toxins, alcohol, drugs, and casinos. These places and items have a higher probability of dragging us into bad events. Instead, consider healthier environments, like gyms, recreation centers, bookstores, libraries, churches, temples, activity clubs, sports teams, universities, and other learning environments. I saw a woman in the media who looked appalling from heavy drug use. But she turned her life around and focused on healthy activities, especially fitness. She went from a terrifying, ghastly-looking female to a beautiful, fit, vibrant young blonde who had also claimed a university degree. That’s the power of environments.
Choose to be happy. This is as simple as choosing to love all others, no matter what occurs. It takes wisdom to ensure empathy, respect, and love for everyone, even in dire situations. The highest solution to any problem is love. When we give love, we naturally feel happy. Even in soul-crushing times, being centered in unconditional love brings joy. It’s a choice we ideally must make every single moment.
But happiness is not just a choice. It’s also a skill. It’s like lifting weights to build muscle. The more we do it, the more we develop that strength. And the more we generate happiness for ourselves and others, the more wisdom we gain. The final goal is to persist in happiness 24-7. We deserve it!