C’mon Get Happy! 20 Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself

By Jackie White

Happiness - sounds simple, right? Then, why are so many people struggling to find it? If you are one of those looking for happiness, I know the way, and it begins with asking yourself a few questions.

1. Could it be possible that I could just choose to be happy?
2. What makes me smile?
3. Do I look at the world in a positive or negative light?
4. Do I take time for myself?
5. Am I lonely?
6. What are my top 3 favorite things in my life?
7. When was the last time I danced to my favorite song?
8. What one job, cause, or activity could I take part in that would make it easy to happily get out of bed every day?
9. Is life happening to me or for me? 
10. How can I make choices in my life that sprinkle a bit of happiness into it?
11. What am I grateful for?
12. When was the last time I laughed?
13. When was the last time I helped someone else?
14. Is my mindset fixed or do I have a growth mindset?
15. How different would my life be if I chose to pursue my dreams?
16. What if I believed I deserved to be happy like I deserve to breathe?
17. What if my life was ending, how do I think I would perceive the importance of being happy?
18. How can I live as if the quality of my life depended on me being happy?
19. Am I believing in what I am doing or am I settling?
20. Which is worse, staying unhappy or making the choice to be happy no matter what?

The Science to Happiness
Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage tells us that only 10% of your long-term happiness can be found in your external world (a good job, a nice house etc..). The other 90% is based on how your brain processes the world. This means if you can be more positive in the present moment, your brain will become more resilient in handling stress, your dopamine levels will increase, ultimately resulting in feelings of happiness. To rewire your brain for happiness, you need to decide that you will see the world more positively. I am including Shawn Achor’s Ted Talk below. It is about 12 minutes long and will make you laugh out loud!

There isn’t a mystery to solve to “find happiness”. It’s not a destination, is a way of living. The deeper answer is to look within and to make the decision to be happy. It is that simple. Don’t resist the simplicity of it. You can do this! Find the good, follow your dreams, help others, be grateful, smile - a lot, laugh your butt off and make the choice to get happy!

Shine On!