 If happiness were simply sold in a store wouldn’t our lives be much easier! There would be no endless quest for happiness and it would be a simple solution to our biggest life challenge. Unfortunately, as far as I know, there are no stores that trade in emotions. (Many would like you to think that they do, however in reality; they have simply paid an expensive marketing expert to trick us.)
I think Aristotle put it best in this quote:
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life.
The whole aim and end of human existence!
Everything we strive for, everything we are working towards and everything we are planning to do, we do because on some level we believe it will provide us with that wonderful emotion; Happiness. So it appears that finding happiness remains up to us individually, some dabble in the art on a weekend, some make it their life time quest, and others choose to make it their profession… Did I mention I love my job?
What ever your level of commitment to finding happiness is I’m here to tell you there is no quick fix, no easy solution, no happiness pill that can fix everything. Happiness is about enjoying life, with the ups, the downs and the challenges that come with it. I like to think of happiness like any other activity we choose to master. Let’s take tennis, could you become a master of tennis with two lessons and a new racquet? I think not! Happiness is just the same, there is no antidote to practice, to constantly working towards what you want in life, step by step and challenge by challenge!
Each of us have a set happiness ‘base line’ and when we take away the ups (winning lotto) and the downs (losing your job) we always return to that base line of happiness, the quest should not be to find happiness, but to increase our base level of happiness. I’m hearing you say “That’s great Jodie, but HOW?”
Some ways to increase your base level of happiness include:
 Begin noticing all the things in your life that are wonderful – I’m sure you’re heard me talk about keeping a gratitude journal before. It’s a sure fire way to increase your base level of happiness. We are simply shifting our focus to the positives!
 Spend quality time with quality people – The only constant that researchers have identified in ‘very happy people’ is that they all claim to have quality relationships. You may think that money was an indicator, or perhaps security, or career, but the only common attribute that all ‘very happy people’ possess is quality relationships.
Look towards the future – Focusing on the future is a great way to create instant happiness in our lives. The past is there for us to learn from so we are better armed to create a happier future, that’s it! We must learn to enjoy the present and plan for the future. Those living in the past will have a low base level of happiness.
 Take time out for you – In our busy everyday lives we don’t often stop to simply enjoy life, play with a dog or cat, walk along the beach, watch a sun set and just feel yourself living. Slow down and give yourself permission to truly live again.
Create a garden – Research shows that the act of planting and caring for a garden increases our mental and physical health while also reducing stress and tension. Another great way to increase out base level of happiness!
So now you have some techniques to help you increase your base level of happiness I’m hoping you’ll bring the focus of your life back onto creating a happier life for yourself and those around you.
If you can not find happiness within yourself,
It is useless to search for it elsewhere!
I’m sure you can see the value of investing in your own happiness and I’d like to invite you (and your friends and associates), to the following workshop on ‘Discovering Happiness.’ I hope you can make it!
If you’re really ready to start living your life to the fullest and need some support in stepping up and facing your challenges, please email me at Jodie@advancedcoachingsolutions.com.au for a 1 hour free introductory life coaching session and we can work on it together. | 
