If you are looking for happiness, my advice is GIVE UP right now! Your search is futile, you'll never find it where you're looking because its not there. Resign yourself to the fact that it just isn't out there.

However - don't despair as I've some good news for you.

Stop looking for happiness. Stop right now.

If your looking for happiness you are looking in the wrong place. Why? It's because happiness isn't out there. You already have it - inside of you.

Most people think that things make them happy, and search for it in those things. If they had that car or house, or went on that holiday, or had that wonderful spouse, or money or wealth, or the love of their lives they would be happy. The list goes on. This thinking is incorrect thinking. Things don't make you happy. The most that things can do is to help to make you happy.

Let me give you an example.

Have you ever said to yourself "If I had X, I would be happy." Let's say "X" is a particular house, the house of your dreams. Does having the house of your dreams mean that you would never be un-happy again? No. You'd still have days when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. You'll have both happy and unhappy days whilst living in the house of your dreams.

At most your X, or your dream house, can only help to make you happy e.g. taking pleasure in sitting on that porch (even when unhappy) and watching the sun come up.

So if your dream X does not make you happy what makes you happy?

You make yourself happy, it's as simple as that!

Happiness is a choice. It's a decision. Happiness is internal, it's not external. And you always have it inside you, available 24/7 at a moment's notice.

To be happy you just have to CHOOSE to be happy.

Have you met people who seem to have everything but are not happy? Have you met people who seem to have nothing but always seem to be happy? Yes.

How can this be? It's because happiness is a choice.

In choosing to be happy there are two things to bear in mind. These are:

1. Will I choose to be happy NOW?

2. Will I choose to be happy in the FUTURE?

NOW

Happiness is a state. You are in complete control of your state at any given moment (although it may not seem like it).

How do you control your state?

Just remember, that if you remember a time when you were happy you'll start to feel happy, or if you remember a time when you were laughing your head off you'll start to laugh your head off. You can take complete control of how you feel all the time, just by remembering to remember good times.

So all you need to do in order to feel happy now is

1. decide to be happy and

2. remember a time when you were happy and feel your level of happiness increase. The more in detail you remember your happy time and the greater number of happy times you remember the happier you will become.

FUTURE

Your happiness in your future depends on the choices you make now with regard to how you act in accordance (or not) with your values. If you decide to act in accordance with your values you are more likely to be happy. If you act in a way that conflicts with your values you are less likely to be happy.

In order to give yourself that best chances of happiness you need to make happiness a priority and invest in your happiness, don't leave it to chance. Schedule happiness into your diary, and then keep your appointment.

So start to be happy today, by choosing to be happy, and making happiness a priority in your life.