There are two reasons that keep us away from our happiness:
One is that we do not focus on little things that can make us happy. Second, we focus on little things that do not really matter in life but steals our happiness.
Why we cannot be happy all 24 hours? Because, we have already decided that we cannot go ahead without worry and tension. We have made sorrow and grief our part of daily life. The height is that you can pass whole day without happiness but you cannot find a whole day without some worry.
We are working hard to get more things everyday but the level of happiness getting down. Do not you think that we were happier as a child when we do not had big things?
“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
Charles Spurgeon
All our day we keep eye on others. What others are doing? Why they are doing so? Then we say they are the reason that you are not happy.
Not only we curse others but also ourselves. We keep thinking what we have done in the past. We keep worrying what to do in the future.
Simply saying that we do not really enjoy what is good in the present. We let few things (underlined) steals our happiness throughout the day. Let us know what we should not do to live a happy life.
Here, 9 things that Steal your Joy and how to avoid them:
Do not Compare yourself with others:
From childhood, we start comparing things we get. We compare it with our brother, sisters and friends. That is the point we hold a belief that we will be happy when we have more than what others have.
Even sometimes, we are happy because others are in pain. That way you can see that your happiness is totally depends on others. Stop doing comparison. Be happy because you got something. Not because you got something, better than others did.
“You can’t compare an apple to an orange. It will cause a lot of self-esteem issues.”
Craig Sheffer
Do not Brood over your Past Mistakes:
Do you grief over your past mistakes. Often we spend too much energy on the past. You will say that it is not that easy to forget those things. Remember, easy or difficult: it is a choice anyway.
We can choose our thoughts. Tell yourself if it is worth thinking about that. Will thinking will fix it. No, it cannot. Whatever happened has given you some lesson. Be happy for that learning and go ahead.
“The first recipe for happiness is: avoid too lengthy meditation on the past.”
Andre Maurois
Do not Judge a person by their appearance:
They say that first expression is last expression. That can be true if someone is visiting for an interview or business meeting. However, when it comes to choose your friends, take your time.
Do not judge people via their physical appearance and clothes. You cannot always judge a book by its cover.
“We shouldn’t judge people through the prism of our own stereotypes.”
Queen Rania of Jordan
Do not Expect too much from others:
“I have done something for others. Therefore, he should do that for me as well.” What is that: a relationship or business? Let them be free to do what they want. Do not expect others to do the way you want every time. Expect less and you do not find yourself hurt anymore.
“I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I’m always pleasantly surprised.”
Lianne La Havas
Do not Postpone your joy:
Do not plan everything for retirement. Today is the time to enjoy life. It is good to plan for future but not at the cost of today. Find moments to celebrate now and then. At the deathbed, you will not be as happy for you have achieved rather than what you enjoyed.
“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.”
James Oppenheim
Do not hold Grudges:
Do not hold other’s mistakes in your mind for long time. It will only eat your happiness time by time. Just forget and forgive. Moreover, remember that it is not for him but for the better of you.
“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison is waiting for the other person to die.”
Buddha
Do not Wait for the perfect moment:
Do you have dreams? Do not wait for perfect time and conditions to begin. Perfect time will never come. Once you start working on your dream, you enjoy everything you do. Otherwise, you will regret it later that why you have not started it earlier.
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.”
Unknown
Do not Forget to be thankful for what you have:
Do not forget to admire what you like. Appreciate the beauty around you. Tell your family how much you love them. Paying gratitude increases the value of people and things in our life. It makes others happy which in turn makes you happy as well.
“Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else’s fairytale.”
Wale Ayeni
Do not worry about things that are beyond your control:
Do you think a lot about whatever bad is happening in the world? Do you worry about things for them you can do nothing. Worry will not solve anything. Accept the things that you cannot control and focus on the part that you can control.
Everyone plays his own part here. God has a better plan for everyone. You just focus on your part. Play your part well and be happy. Do not try to control everything in your life. It will destroy your happiness. Be flexible like water and you will be happy all the time.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Reinhold Niebuhr