The Keys to Success

Most people seem to think that success is the key to happiness. Succeeding in their chosen field, making lots of money, climbing the corporate ladder, or whatever is supposed to make you happy. WRONG! It's actually the reverse. Happiness is the key to success.

Does that idea seem strange to you? I suppose it does to many. Let me explain what I mean. The shortest, most down to earth explanation is this:

• When you are happy, you appreciate people and things more.
  
• The more you appreciate people, the more they want to do for you.
  
• The more you appreciate things, the more people want you to have. They may not give you what you want directly, but they would love to help you get it. (Think about it; do you like giving gifts to people who get excited about them or people who don't seem to like anything anyone gets for them?)
  
• The more people want to help you, the further ahead you get.
  

Sort of like happy networking. It might sound silly and/or simplistic, but nevertheless it is true. I'll give you an example:
Let's say you are climbing the corporate ladder. You are in the running for a promotion against one other person. Both of you are equally qualified and you operate in the same networking circles.

Is the boss going to give the promotion to your surly coworker who does his job well, but seems unhappy and ungrateful? The boss is much more likely to give the position to you because not only do you do your job well, but you do it with a smile. People like you and like to work with you.

Happiness is not the only key to success, but it is the first key. It's not the most important key, but it is the first key. It's not the last key, it's the. .........well, you know what I mean. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be happy. Do it now while there's still time.

Be Happy Now

I was not always happy. In fact, I was quite miserable. I thought everybody was. For some reason I believed that the way to true happiness in the afterlife was to be miserable here. (Not sure where that came from, but I think it was my misinterpretation of Sunday school lessons.) It has taken me 37 years to figure out that it's OK to be happy. As a matter of fact, you are supposed to be happy!

So here I am, relearning all the things that I knew as a toddler:

• Laugh, because it is the most fun you will ever have
• Spontaneously hug the ones you love
• Soft fuzzy things make great friends
• Music is the best thing that happens to your ears
• Enjoy what you are doing, whatever it is
• Do what you enjoy, whatever it is

I am learning a few new things, too:

• No one else is responsible for my happiness, just me
• I am in control of only me; no one else and nothing else
• If I don't respect me, how can I expect anyone else to respect me
• Life is as good as you make it
• Happiness is something you choose, not something that just happens to you
• Smiles benefit everyone, especially the one who is smiling

I will be posting only good, nice, smiley, happy things here. No political commentaries, opinions about the state of the world, or anything about tragedies will be found on my pages. This will be about uplifting myself and anyone else who wants to feel better.