Happiness Information

Develop a Guiding Philosophy for Happiness


Groundedness is one of the most important components of a satisfied life. Being grounded means having a guiding philosophy - a foundation of personal integrity that outside influences cannot disturb.

Our philosophy contains our values, spiritual faith, personal boundaries, and the causes we support. It reflects our core beliefs about who we are and how we conduct our lives.

The media bombards us with promises of quick success and glamorous lives. People naturally want happier, more successful lives. Many tools are indeed helpful toward that end. Yet simply having certain "things" is not the reason that we achieve happiness and success.

Promises based on possessions and fads do not address one of the root causes of dissatisfaction; that is, lack of groundedness. Groundedness adds consistency to our lives - a mental compass to guide our actions and decisions.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote: "Build today, then strong and sure,
With a firm and ample base;
And ascending and secure,
Shall tomorrow find its place." Without Longfellow's "firm and ample base", we fly from promise to promise. We do not stay with one idea - regardless how helpful - long enough to realize the peace and love we actually seek. We keep changing channels, not following one story line to completion.

Many have said, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Our guiding philosophy defines what we stand for. It keeps us from tossing to and fro with every new situation and idea. Our guiding philosophy is the supporting foundation beneath an authentically happy life.

Ask yourself these five questions:

1. What are the major ideas, values, and causes that contribute to my philosophy of living?

2. What are the boundaries that shield me from influences that would throw me off course and disturb my peace of mind?

3. What is the faith that assures a solid foundation in my life?

4. How does my philosophy provide a sure footing along the path to my objectives?

5. How can I build a more ample base upon which to build my dreams for the future and realize peace, love, and happiness in the present?

After you have pondered your thoughts, write your answers in a journal. Return from time to time and add new insights that you receive.

Your happiness pursuit can be successful by living a grounded life. White Eagle wrote, "If you will be steadfast on the path to which your feet have been guided, you will find the treasure of life, a never-ending stream of help and healing and happiness."

Standing firmly grounded in your faith, values, and purpose, you can realize the consistency and authentic happiness that many spend a lifetime seeking.

© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Times Online

Does Powys really hold the recipe for happiness?
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 15 hours ago
Cliff Arnall, a happiness psychologist living in Brecon, agreed that Powys benefits from a low crime rate and a “safe and stunning natural environment”, ...
Rainy Manchester may need defending, but it scores highly in ... Times Online
Happiness Map Declares Powys The Winner Find a Property
Welsh county top of happiness map CBBC Newsround
Community News Group - Reuters UK
all 31 news articles


Happiness map is just a joke to us
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 9 hours ago
According to a so-called happiness map released yesterday, the South Wales Valleys are among some of the unhappiest places to live in the UK. ...
Woman critical after Valleys house fire WalesOnline
all 5 news articles


Happy Hour: Bitter happiness
National Post, Canada - 21 minutes ago
Sure, you think you know what bitterness tastes like. But are you really experiencing it the same way as the person across the table from you? ...


Happier really does mean healthier, researchers say
CTV.ca, Canada - 10 hours ago
Happiness and satisfaction might lead to better health, according to a study released Friday. Not only that, but greater happiness could boost health in as ...
Study: Happy People Tend To Be Healthier AHN
all 8 news articles


City ranks 'average' in happiness survey
Lancashire Evening Post, UK - 4 hours ago
See what people in Preston had to say about happiness and what influences theirs. By Josie Hill Preston has been ranked 135th out of 273 in a table of the ...
WE'RE SUCH A HAPPY BUNCH Burton Mail
SMILE, IT REALLY IS 'GRIN' UP NORTH Grimsby Evening Telegraph
all 3 news articles


Paste Magazine

Todd Solondz's Happiness follow-up to see the light of day
Paste Magazine, GA - 19 minutes ago
After languishing for a long while without financial backup, his companion piece/sequel to Happiness is finally getting made. ...


Disgraced Pee-Wee returns in Solondz's Happiness 'sequel'
guardian.co.uk, UK - Aug 28, 2008
Variety also says that the new film will represent a companion piece, a "quasi-sequel" as it were, to Happiness, Solondz's jarring 1998 comedy about sexual ...


Happiness spanning the decades
Otago Daily Times, New Zealand - 3 hours ago
Rua Vial, born Rua Evelyn Simpson, will celebrate her century with a family afternoon tea at Ings Memorial Home in Mornington tomorrow. ...


Happiness, experience gauge success for special needs
Coon Rapids ECM Publishers, MN - 4 hours ago
Terri Taylor of Otsego has seen students with a variety of needs in her piano studio over the years. After her now-17-year-old son was diagnosed with autism ...


The Spoof (satire)

Happy Britain Rejoices In Happiness!
The Spoof (satire), UK - 6 hours ago
British people are the happiest folks in the world, according to a report, with Powys in Wales, and Manchester at the top of the list of Britain's Happiest ...

Happiness - Google News

home | site map
© 2006