How Do You Avoid Becoming Your Own Worst Enemy?

Photo from loiterink.com

From Denny: The simplest truism to keep in mind is to remember we really can be our own worst enemies. That's why it's important to always challenge ourselves to stretch what we think is our belief system. Otherwise, our belief system can become so rigid and brittle that it can shatter easily when a tough life test comes our way.

Read, read, read, and then read some more. Broaden those inner horizons. You don't have to believe everything you read, just think about it, pray on it and eventually the right things from the reading will fall into place comfortably.

Read what you know nothing about, in a field of which you have no expertise. It doesn't matter if you don't understand but maybe 10% of it; you will still have acquired an additional 10% of knowledge and understanding you did not possess before you read it!

Keep pushing yourself to learn more about your world and the world of others. Cultivating this lifestyle will keep the negative thinking at bay and you will end up your own best supporter! :)

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* The most handicapped person in the world is a negative thinker. - Anonymous

What is the Simplicity of Living True Happiness?

Image by *MizzEl* via Flickr

From Denny: Happiness is something people pursue in every generation. It's even written into our American Constitution as every person's right! Philosophers opine about it endlessly. Religious teachers have their varying opinions.

Yet it seems too many learned sectors miss the obvious as is stated in this quote of pure unadulterated simplicity! And the photo, well, it was just perfect as a pairing for this quote; take a look!

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"Happiness is never stopping to think if you are." ~ Palmer Sondreal


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How Do You Cultivate Inner Happiness?

From Denny: What I so enjoy about quotes are two things: they are short, and therefore, easy meditations and also they often speak a facet of the truth in an amazing way! This is the first quote I've run across that discusses more than cultivating personal harmony or doing outward actions to help cultivate happiness. When you read between the lines what this author is talking about is acquiring a particular attitude toward self BEFORE you begin cultivating happiness - pretty cool take on it!

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“Happiness is really a deep harmonious inner satisfaction and approval.” — Francis Wilshire

Photo by h.koppdelaney @ flickr

happiness meditation harmony mental health arts literature health self-help love Francis Wilshire quotes quotations

The Happiness Philosophy

“It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.”– Unknown

Photo by StuSeeger @ flickr

How Does Unhappiness Happen? One Answer.

From Denny: Now here is something revolutionary for those who are just beginning the path of self-development. It really does explain the role of family and national culture and how it can affect our happiness quotient!



“There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.” — Anthony de Mello

Where is Happiness Located?

From Denny: Nothing could be more true than this quote as those who have worked hard to earn it know it to be true! Love this photo from flickr friend cuellar as the tiny snail is like a symbol for happiness floating into the center of the flower. The flower symbolizes the center of you!

“All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.” — Horace Friess

Photo by cuellar @ flickr

Helen Keller's Take on Definition of Happiness

Helen Keller in 1905, activist, lecturer and author - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Helen Keller was both a pioneer and blind, deaf and mute in a time long before computers, society's compassion or teachers who understood she was smart but locked inside a body that did not function like everyone else.

It was amazing to read about how Helen grew as a person as her teacher figured her way through the process to reach and educate her. It was a great accomplishment for both student and teacher.

Sign language was just beginning to develop at this time as the educational system was starting to address the needs of the deaf, moving away from writing them off as stupid and unteachable. What Helen learned along the way was deep, thoughtful and inspirational. There are many incredible quotes attributed to Helen Keller.

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” — Helen Keller

Where is Your Path of Happiness Traveling?

Road Race Image by AFP/Getty Images via Daylife

From Denny: I really like this quote because it is both true and it certainly has happened a number of times to me. Probably has happened to you a lot too. It can apply to your life path or just bad driving directions!

“The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour.” — Unknown

*** Notice how the car is literally lifted off the ground!

Why Would Anyone Consider Happiness a Duty?

From Denny: It never ceases to amaze me how a writer from about 200 years ago can reach out from the past to say something so profound... I am in awe! Would this have occurred to you?

“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

How is Happiness Easily Acquired?

Image via Wikipedia

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” — James Oppenheim

Happiness Described by the Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Now here is a soul that knows what he is talking about. He has endured a hostile atmosphere and the life of a nomad for all his adult life. He knows a thing or two about how to maintain a happy disposition no matter what your environment.

“The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.” — H.H. the Dalai Lama (Tanzin Gayatso, 14th Dalai Lama and leader of exiled Tibetan government). He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

Happiness Can Be Funny!

From Denny: This is a happiness quote I haven't seen and it sure made me laugh! Check out the photo of this gorgeous albino peacock in full feather display.

“Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around.” — E.L. Konigsburg

3 Key Ingredients to Achieving Happiness?

“The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” — Allan K. Chalmers

Photo by Krikit @ flickr

Loving

"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." - Victor Hugo

Photo by law_keven @ flickr

Happiness

Image via Wikipedia

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain