Happiness is not a Destination

Throughout history, one of the most popular topics for people has been the concept of happiness. In the years of 340 BC, the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Epicurus made significant contributions to the definition of happiness. While Aristotle defined happiness as a state of mind, Epicurus stated that happiness was directly related to a short-termed enjoyment. Although, today, it is possible to verify those definitions from both psychological and biological point of views, it is still being discussed what happiness really is and how it is possible to be happy in life. 

I personally believe that happiness is not related to what we have, but it is related to how we perceive the things we have. So, then, it is not possible to be happy by only focusing on being happy as being always on the search of happiness does not bring anything, but a stressful life. I have always been standing for the idea that happiness is not a destination, but it is a way of life. Well then, happiness is a kind of long termed satisfaction of life. 

But are there any tips to help us stay in the path of this satisfaction? Of course, there are. 

1. Express Gratitude: For me, gratitude is about being thankful for all the things you have, with all your strengths and weaknesses, with all your possessions and deprivations. It is about accepting your borders, celebrating your life. There are many ways of expressing gratitude but starting with a gratitude journal is by far the easiest way. Just have a nice notebook, whether small or big, and start writing the things for which you are thankful in your life, as the first thing in the mornings. You don’t have to spend hours for it, just spare 5-10 minutes and that’s enough. Your gratitude can be for anything in your life; your family, friends, your job, your health, the experience you enjoyed earlier… Expressing gratitude increase the positive perception in our mind and leads to happiness. 
2. Stop Comparing: Comparing yourself to others has always brought stress in your life. Today, social media is the main tool providing people a very good environment for comparison. We compare our finances, our physical appearance, our talents, our houses, our vacations, our family… However, we are all unique with our strengths and weaknesses. Let’s accept this truth. When we continuously compare ourselves to others, we waste our precious energy focusing on other peoples’ lives rather than our own. So, let’s stop doing this. 
3. Be Mindful: Constantly urging upon your past or worrying about your future negatively affects your mood. Also, you cannot stay focused on the present and be mindful. However, all the things we can do for our lives lie ahead the present. In order to practice being present and staying mindful, you can meditate for 10 minutes every day. Staying alone and focusing on your inner world in a quiet place is a very good way to practice being mindful. 
4. Build Social Connections: The more we interact with people, the more well-being we experience in our lives. Here, interacting with people does not only mean spending time with others, but rather it is about helping others, providing support for the ones who need and empathizing with them. Don’t judge people, but rather try to understand them. Claim your values but don’t expect others to be like yourself. Focus on connecting people around you. Be volunteer, show mercy. 

No matter what we are or what we have, it is good to keep in mind that happiness is a set of self-built habits focusing on the positive perception.