Looking back, I see how much of my life I spent worrying about stuff or being nervous and insecure about stuff or not really enjoying the fullness and richness of my life. I had to admit that to myself. Because it seemed to me – in retrospect – that even though I’ve had a wonderful, exciting life, I was often worried about something or afraid of something or anxious about something. And look what happened! I got here anyway. Despite all the worries!

Somehow I made it to today. I might not be able to tell you exactly how, but here I am anyway. Sitting right here in front of my computer. Maybe a bit worse for wear, but sitting here just the same! So what did I learn from all of this?

In other words, what does it take to live a happy life? This is what I’ve found out so far – and am trying to live. Maybe it can help you too!

The 10 ways:

1) Accept what is

2) Want what you have

3) Be honest with yourself

4) Investigate your stories

5) Mind your own business

6) Follow your passion and accept the consequences

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7) Do the right thing and accept the consequences

8) Deal with what is in front of you and forget the rest

9) Know what is what

10) Learn to see beyond impermanence

Where’s the proof? When I do these ten things, I feel happy!

The Shocking Truth About Happiness

After all you have been through in your life, the shocking truth about happiness is that nothing external can make you either happy or unhappy. Only your thoughts about life can do this because it’s all happening in you! No outside event, no thing, no circumstance, no person, nothing besides your thoughts can make you happy. This is the way of it; this is the way it works. So...  Dream, play and have a happy life!

Don’t believe what you think!

If I had to sum it all up, I’d have to say that the root cause of all our suffering is believing what we think. If we didn’t believe what we think, it would be impossible to suffer.

If we didn’t believe what we think – all that would be left is what is. And that would be reality. And reality is not what we think! Reality just is.

Reality is beyond explaining – beyond understanding – beyond thought. And even though reality is not something we can conceptualize, reality is something we can see – and experience directly.

And it’s more than that – reality is what we are.

Reality Is What Is

When we believe what we think, instead of just seeing directly, it is as if we try to put an artificial matrix of ideas on top of reality – and then we suffer when our matrix and reality don’t fit together. We suffer when our thoughts – this artificial matrix – and reality don’t match.

We suffer when our thoughts and reality turn out to be two different things. And this is always the case. Our thoughts and reality are always two different things. Always! Because reality is beyond thought. Reality is beyond understanding.

Reality cannot be captured, caught, or explained. Reality just is. And it can only been seen and experienced in each now moment. But reality is not what we think – nor is it what we think it is either!

It’s beyond all that. Beyond understanding.

So that is why I say, if you want to live a happy life – don’t believe what you think!

©2013 Barbara Berger. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission of the author. Published by O Books,
an imprint of John Hunt Publishing Ltd. www.o-books.com

Article Source

Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life
by Barbara Berger.

Are You Happy Now?What is preventing you from being happy now? Is it your partner, your health, your job, your financial situation or your weight? Or is it all the things you think you “should” do? Barbara Berger takes a look at all the things we think and do that prevent us from living happy lives now. Barbara presents 10 practical ways to use this understanding in your daily life, your relationships, at work and for your health.

Click for more info or to order this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Barbara Berger, author of the book: Are You Happy Now?

Barbara Berger has written over 15 self-empowerment books, including her international bestsellers "The Road to Power / Fast Food for the Soul" (published in 30 languages) and "Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life" (published in 21 languages). She is also the author of “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind” and “Find and Follow Your Inner Compass”. Barbara's latest books are “Healthy Models for Relationships – The Basic Principles Behind Good Relationships” and her autobiography “My Road to Power – Sex, Trauma & Higher Consciousness”..

American-born, Barbara now lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. In addition to her books, she offers private sessions to individuals who wish to work intensely with her (in her office in Copenhagen or on Zoom, Skype and telephone for people who live far away from Copenhagen).

For more about Barbara Berger, see her website: www.beamteam.com

Books by this Author

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