I write about happiness a lot because I think it’s extremely important. It’s what everyone is looking for and I don’t think that finding it is as difficult as it might seem.

I believe that part of the reason we are here on this earth is to find happiness.

“Adam fell that men might be. Men are that they might have joy.” 2 Nephi 2:25

That’s a pretty famous quote from The Book of Mormon. We spend so much time looking for happiness and many of us look for it in all the wrong places.

Happiness doesn’t come in the form of temporary pleasures. It doesn’t come from  getting wasted with your friends or having anonymous sex with strangers. Look at how those activities make you feel the next day. Do they make you feel good inside? Do they make you feel like a better person?

For me happiness is found in my spirituality. That means something different to everyone. For me it means something very specific. Find out what it means to you. Spend some time praying or meditating.

I read scriptures each morning and start and end my day with prayer. If you don’t pray, learn about meditation. The time at the beginning of the day gives me time to prepare my mind for the things I have to do that day. The time spent in pray at night before I go to bed gives me time to reflect on what happened that day. This is valuable time for me.

True happiness is a lasting feeling inside. It’s the feeling you have when you know you’re doing the right thing. It’s the feeling you have when you’re with the people you love. It’s the feeling you have when you’re doing something to improve yourself and the world around you. When you’re improving yourself you are improving the world around you.

Happiness is also found in my relationships with my family and friends. If your family is painfully dysfunctional this may be difficult. Remember that you can only do so much. Don’t kill yourself putting effort into a failed relationship when the other person isn’t trying. Do what you can, but don’t blame yourself for what others are or aren’t willing to do to help the situation. Many people have difficult family situations. Take a good look at yourself and how you contribute to the situation. Fix what you can about your own actions.

Don’t stay in a toxic relationship. If someone is hurting you, especially if they’re doing so purposely, you need to get out of that situation. The most important thing you can do for your mental and physical health is to get out.

If you are attracting bad relationships, take a close look at you’re beliefs about yourself and about relationships. You may say that it isn’t your fault. You’re the victim, but I’d say that the belief that you’re a powerless, victim keeps you in that situation. Get rid of that belief and you’ll find a way to break out of that situation. Believe that you are powerful and valuable and you won’t find yourself in a situation like that again.

“For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light…” Doctrine and Covenants 88: 40.

Be the person you want to be and you will attract similar people to you. Spend time building honest connections with people. When you recognize that we are all connected, you’ll approach others with a more open mind. Honesty and sincere interest in others is how you’re able to build lasting friendships.

Improve yourself. Read good books. Watch good television shows. Write a novel. Learn a foreign language. Learn to play an instrument. Learning something new really helps me to feel good.

Seeking happiness is a noble pursuit and it’s not as difficult as it seems.

Photo by impious