Truly happy people: how can one identify them?

Happy people don’t have the best of everything.

They make the best of everything

Happiness, which is generally viewed as a fundamental life goal, is inevitably linked to our thinking as we have established in the last blogpost.

True happiness starts with our thoughts, determining our feelings and emotional attitude.

Habits like empathy, mindfulness, recognising interconnectedness, practicing patience and forgiveness, valuing self-discipline, cultivating appreciation, embracing hardship, maintaining a positive mindset and engaging in loving-kindness may all considerably improve our well-being.

According to the Dalai Lama, pleasure is not just the outcome of circumstances, but also of our actions and perspectives. At the end of the day, adding a little more happiness to our own lives helps us to observe other people.

Those who are truly happy, typically display the following behaviours:

Gratitude: They count their blessings and not their struggles.

When you encounter happy individuals, you’ll notice something different: they have a talent for recognising and enjoying the positive things in life, rather than always wishing for what you don’t have.

This is not some type of magic or special gift; it is just the daily practice of mindfulness .

It might be as simple as a hug from a loved one, or a beautiful day. It is all about perception. By concentrating on the positive and being appreciative, they have diverted their attention away from obstacles. This daily dosage of optimism helps to keep their spirits up, making them healthier and happier.

Mindfulness: They Live in the Moment

If there is one thing happy people understand, it’s the ability to exist in the present. Their hidden weapon in their happiness arsenal? Mindfulness. The practice of focusing on the current moment without passing judgement.

They are totally present, whether they’re having a morning cup of tea, conversing with a friend, or simply walking around the area, tuned into the moment, taking in the noises, sensations and emotions of ‘right now’.

Life is not a sprint to the finish line, but rather a succession of moments to relish.

Acceptance: “I am enough.”

You’ll notice that happy people have ceased struggling with themselves. They have accepted their defects, idiosyncrasies, little eccentricities, these so-called “flaws”. They’re not wasting their time striving to conform to an unrealistic ideal of perfection.

This is not to say that they don’t seek out progress or personal development. It just implies they’ve stopped letting their flaws dictate their self-worth.

Resilience: They Bounce Back from Setbacks

Life is full of ups and downs. Everyone has setbacks, disappointments, and failures. However, happy individuals have a unique attitude to these challenges: they’re resilient.

Resilience is not about avoiding difficulties, but about how to deal with them. They regard failures as transient hurdles, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

When they are knocked down, they do not remain there. They brush themselves off, learn from their mistakes, and emerge stronger than before. Resilient people recognise that each challenge provides vital lessons helping them to become stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the future.

Altruism: They Enjoy Helping Others

Do you know what most truly happy people often have in common? They love to lend a hand.

They like helping others, whether it’s by volunteering, offering a listening ear, or just assisting a neighbour with their groceries.

Here’s an intriguing piece of information for you: a study reveals that helping others can increase your own happiness.

Altruistic people realise this. They recognise the connectivity of some of their delight. They feel fulfilled and satisfied when they have a positive impact on the lives of others. That process creates a strong sense of inner contentment.

Helping others does not always have to be costly. It might be as easy as smiling, complimenting someone, or listening when they need to chat.

Optimism: Cultivating a Positive Outlook

In the garden of life, truly happy people tend to be diligent gardeners of positivity. They nurture an optimistic outlook, choosing to water the seeds of hope and positivity rather than those of pessimism and negativity.

It isn’t so that happy people don’t face difficulties or have bad days, but they make a conscious effort to remain positive and hopeful, even when things don’t go as planned. They believe in better days ahead and focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. They have polished their glasses and weaved optimism into their lifestyle.

Balance: They Understand the Importance of Work-Life Harmony

Happy individuals recognise that life isn’t about succeeding in one area while neglecting others. It’s not simply about work advancement, family, or personal interests. It’s about striking a good balance between all these factors.

They understand that working long hours to attain goals is insufficient if it leaves no time for recreation, hobbies, or loved ones.

They prioritise their mental and physical health, establish limits to ensure they have time for relaxation and enjoyment, as well as the cultivation of their personal connections.

Finding the appropriate work-life balance may not always be easy, but it is well-worth it.

Authenticity: They are Truly Themselves

Ars essendi sibi ipsi: the art of being true to oneself, ideals and views is a strong characteristic of happy people.

However, they do not conform to society’s expectations or compromise their principles to fit in. They are open about their peculiarities, interests and aspirations.

This is not to say that they are unaware of their inadequacies or have stopped growing. Their progress, however, stems from self-love rather than self-denial.

As clearly demonstrated in this article, practicing mindfulness is the key to:

• Enable yourself to take a step back and observe where you are in life. To be in the moment.
• Create a positive mindset, without losing track of reality. Allowing yourself to build resilience.
• Be grateful for those warm moments in life which enhance happiness.
• Accept yourself as you truly are, while embracing personal growth through overcoming challenges.
• Change your attitude towards yourself and others, being altruistic, without being abused.
• Create a healthy work-life balance

Mindfulness changes your perspective on life, enabling you to truly experience happiness in the end.

So, here’s a blunt, honest question: Are you truly yourself? If not, it might be time for a change.

Remember, every one of us is unique. Everyone is special. So why not embrace your authenticity. It’s one of the most liberating paths that leads to true happiness.

Allow me share two secrets that I really believe in:

• When an empath is truly experiencing happiness from within, they will radiate that feeling like a blinding sun.
• When you’re forced to say farewell to someone, the difficulty of handling the deep mourning pain testifies of the depth of that loving connection. Regardless of age, accepting grieving as a transformation will help you to be truly happy again.

I’ve gone through it. It has stimulated me to become a coach and to offer the opportunity to others to heal their heartache and to become truly happy again while accepting themselves as they are, hence the name “Sweetharmony Happiness Coaching”!

What are you waiting for? If you want to know more, contact me or subscribe to our social media channels.