Why Happiness is a Cause (Not an Effect!) and How You Can Be Happier NOW

So often we are told to do this, that, and the other and we'll be happy- Anything from find the right partner, get the right job, earn more money and poof! Happy days are here! Well I'm here to tell you that we have it all wrong. It is not outer circumstances that make us happy, but rather happiness-in the here and now-that draws to us happy circumstances. Period.

It is like this: the law of attraction states that "like attracts like" right? Well if that's the case (and it most certainly is) then what is more logical than "be happy now from within and happiness from without will follow"? You see, your thoughts, feelings, and actions are nothing but transmitters that are going out into the universe as signals and attracting similar signals back which are then showing up in your life as the people, things, and circumstances matching those thoughts, feelings, and actions. I can remember a time when even though consciously I wanted to be happy, subconsciously I kept thinking "I am so miserable, I am so miserable, I am miserable..." So guess what kind of life I had? Yep, miserable! Now, years later after lots of difficult yet necessary introspection and growth my programming is more along the lines of "I love being happy! I love being happy!" And guess what kind of life I have now? Yep again, happy! Notice how I mentioned that consciously I wanted to be happy but subconsciously I kept thinking I am miserable and so that's what came about. This leads me to the first happiness how-to:

Your subconscious mind controls 96% percent of your all your actions. That is pretty amazing so I think it's worth repeating- your subconscious mind controls 96% of all your actions. This is why people say things such as "I want to quit smoking" or "I want to lose weight" yet next thing you know they're reaching for another cigarette or donut. This is because that as much as they consciously do want to quit smoking or lose weight, their subconscious programming is along the lines of "I smoke" or "I'm fat". As long as that is what they're subconscious is saying that's what they're doing. No ifs ands or buts about it. So how do you change your subconscious programming? One reliable way is with affirmations.

Affirmations are a great a way to change behavior but there is a right way and wrong way of doing it. The right way is always saying affirmations that are in the present tense, positively worded, and preferably on the shorter end. For example, for someone wanting to lose weight a good affirmation would be "I now weigh xxx lbs" or "I am now xxx lbs". Notice I didn't say "I will be..." or "I am losing weight" because the first statement is putting your goal in the future- where it will always stay and never be reached- and the second statement is sending a signal to your brain a constant state of needing to lose weight which is what you will get, i.e. eating more to be in a "lose weight" state. The other important point to remember is the timing of your affirmations. It is always much more effective to say your affirmations in a relaxed state which is when your brain is most susceptible to suggestions (i.e. affirmations). This is why the best time to say your affirmations is first thing when you wake up and last thing before you go to sleep. These are times when your mind is relaxed and therefore open to new instructions. So pick affirmations that are in present tense, positively worded and as short as possible and get to it!

If affirmations aren't for you however, another great method for happiness (and therefore positive attraction) is visualization. This is where you get into a comfortable seated position (or laying down but awake), close your eyes, and see the pictures of your life the way you want to see them and not as they are. This is a lot of fun! You get to pretend you're living your ideal life right NOW. So either pick one area of your life (best method) or pick your whole life and see and also FEEEEEL your ideal life as if it's happening or already happened. Get as clear and as detailed as you want but make sure to engage your emotions. If you want a Ferrari how do you feel driving it down a wide, open street? What color is it? Can you smell it? What does it smell like? How fast are you driving? And so on. Do this for every area of your life for 5-10 minutes one to times a day every day for at least 40 days (one area at a time). You will be amazed at the results!

So there you have it folks- the why and how of happiness. Remember, whatever you have to do to be TRULY happy- not a false "high"- do it. Meditate. Journal. Spend time with friends/family. Exercise. Do whatever it is that really gives you a true sense of happiness and do it often. Your life will yield amazing results! Happy manifesting and until next time... remember, you are magnificent!