Happiness without reason, regardless of external circumstances, gives you freedom to experience a state of happiness whatever you are doing, whoever you are with and wherever you are. Accepting happiness and feeling that you deserve to be happy all the time may require you to undertake some reprogramming, to free yourself from your past and the limiting beliefs we discussed in a previous article, but it is worth the effort.

In their search for happiness, many people look for it in other people and not within themselves. You can't rely on other people to give you happiness. Your relationships can certainly enhance your happiness, but you have to have love and happiness within you before you are likely to attract friendships or a life partner.

Many people feel that things like money, a better job or a successful business will make them happy. Material goods and possessions can provide happiness, but it is generally short-lived. It won't be long before that new car is a bit old, or the plasma screen is replaced by some new technology. Happiness is our natural state, and can enhance our enjoyment and appreciation of our possessions. However, someone who is miserable within will rarely be brought into a happy state by some new acquisition.

In reality, to find true contentment you must look inside yourself and learn to be your own best friend. That means you have to trust, love, and care for yourself just as you do the people you consider to be close to you.

Steps to being happy within

Following are some steps that you can incorporate into your life that will help you to feel more empowered and happy about yourself!

Begin to lift yourself up, not put yourself down. If you don't like something about yourself, work to change it. If you can't change it, simply accept it. Don't beat up on yourself with negative self-talk. You're not likely to change for the better when you fill yourself with negative thoughts.

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. One of the happiest people I have ever met was a guy with one leg. He had it removed when he was in his twenties, in order to halt a spreading melanoma skin cancer. He is grateful to be alive and every day is a blessing. If you have your arms, legs and eyes, be grateful that you can walk, do things, see the sunshine, the trees and the ocean if you choose. If you have a roof over your head and you have enough to eat, realise that you are better off than millions of people, and be grateful!

Give yourself positive rewards. When you do something that you are proud of give yourself a small reward. Try not to wait for others to praise you because you may grow resentful if the praise doesn't come. Pat your own back, it is a great feeling that can stay with you for a long time.

Forgive yourself. I doubt that you would keep scolding a child over and over for making a mistake so don't do that to yourself. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness when you make a mistake. After that, work to figure out what lesson you can learn, and use it to make better choices the next time around.

Enjoy your successes. Most people can remember all of the details of depressing, painful or even embarrassing events that happened many years ago. What if you did the same thing with all of your wins? Try to remember all of the triumphs and accomplishments that you've made and keep that memory with you and think about it at least once a week.

Always remember to celebrate your wonderful qualities! You will soon discover that the more you love yourself, the more you will be able to give love to others - and the more others will be able to love you!