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Health and Wellness

How Do You Become Happy?

It's more than just a smiling Instagram picture.

Becca Salgado

Feb 13, 2017

Point Loma Nazarene University

Huffington Post

"Whatever you do in life, do what makes you happy".

Ok... so what is being truly happy?

Is happiness a smile, laughter, when your favorite coffee shop gets your order just right? Is it a warm, fuzzy feeling? I feel like for each person, happiness is a different thing. My cool, trendy, friend Hannah describes happiness as a moment where, "you wouldn't want to change what's happening". For me, happiness is being able to wake up, look in the mirror, and smile at the face staring back at you.

But here's the big question: how do we achieve happiness?

Today, there are a lot of answers to that question. You can be happy by making a lot of money and not having to worry about your finances. Or, you can have the "perfect" body and decide that your happiness comes from attaining that. Whether it's having a big circle of friends, buying a huge house, earning a college degree, or getting that big promotion, these are all common ways that society says happiness can be achieved. There's only one problem: all of these "successful" ways to be happy are fleeting.

Friends can leave you. The economy could crash. Your house could be destroyed. Even your "perfect" body won't last forever. So, how are we supposed to get happiness?

Happiness comes from a journey of finding yourself, and loving yourself for who you are. There are times in life where your self-confidence can be down, and I've definitely been there. The only way to get out of the pit of self-degradation is to realize that there is only one you. The world deserves to know the real you. Imagine how boring the world would be if everybody tried to be everybody else!

Loving yourself means making decisions that you want to make. It means having the confidence to say "no" to things you don't agree with. It means standing up for yourself when you feel like someone is degrading you. It means realizing that you have flaws, and your flaws are essential pieces that make up who you are.

Becoming a truly happy person is a long process. There's no 10-step program, or any way to do it quickly. It's hard and messy, and you have to spend a lot of time with yourself. But in the end, being happy with who you are is what leads to a happy life.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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How Do You Become Happy?

It's more than just a smiling Instagram picture.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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