STAYING HAPPY;7 COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF HAPPY PEOPLE(Happiness series 2)

Sometimes ago, I was asked what the source of happiness is and I answered that its from within. Happiness is a habit that can be cultivated when you make the decision to be happy. It is a choice you have to make by yourself just like we established in my last write up(in case you missed it).

Researches carried out over the world made us know that the happiest people in the world have several traits. We'll be discussing seven of the in this article.
1. Self Confidence: Happy people are confident in themselves and in their ability. They love themselves for who they are instead of wasting time thinking about who they wish they are. They maintain their true character and appreciate their physical appearance not minding whether other approve or not. When you feel confident, your doubt, shortcoming and weaknesses wont weigh you down and you can focus on your strength.

1. Optimistic: An optimistic person thinks the best possible thing will happen and hope for it even if not likely .Optimists find the best in everything and aren't ever concerned with the need to search for faults. Happy people are optimistic and this make them see life and live life from a positive lens.
2. Open minded: Open minded people have and show a mind receptive to new ideas and opinion. They know that nothing is ever too big to handle and choose to embrace what life is currently throwing at them rather than cowering at the sight of it or wallowing in self-pity. They truly listen to suggestions, respect and consider all opinions, and take criticism constructively rather than with offence. Open minded people understands life and which makes it one of the important trait of happy people.
3. Open to change and adaptable: Change they say is constant. Life changes far more frequently and more unpredictably than any of us like and happy people tend to be well aware of that. Not only are they always open to change and adaptable, they don't worry about life's unpredictability, and they aren't as stressed when something major comes up. They simply find another way around the challenge and proceed.
4. Live in the present: Happy people live in the present. As fun as reminiscing about past achievements or fantasizing about the future can be, nothing will ever be done except in the present. It doesn't matter whether these thoughts are positive or negative; you could think very positively about the future, but if you aren't focused on present moments, you aren't going to be happy in the present moment. It is important to think about the past and learn but it is dangerous to dwell in it.
5. Intangible values: Most people are obsessed with tangible rewards and destination and are always worried about making a certain amount of money of getting a position and thus spend most of their life chasing it. I'm not denying the fact that we all need money to live but I've discovered that what set happy people apart is the fact that they don't let money be the master of their life. They're more concerned with the intangible parts of life such as friendship, fun, and family. They prioritize experiences over possessions and don't try to measure their lives in terms of how much wealth they have.
6. Gratitude: This is perhaps the most important trait of happy people. Gratitude is important to be happy. One have to truly appreciate what they have, where you are and everything you have in other to be happy. An ungrateful person will always be looking for more no matter how much they have. Happy people express gratitude, openly and often, for all the great things in life, and forget what they "could" have.

HAPPINESS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU POSTPONE FOR THE FUTURE, IT'S SOMETHING YOU DESIGN FOR THE PRESENT. - JIM RHON
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Image sources: Birmingham.ac.uk
theteenagerquotestumblr.com
positivepsychology.org.uk