We all seek happiness, but very few can really find it.
The most common advice on finding happiness is that, “Happiness comes from
within.”
This might be true for some people. However, the endless search for happiness makes me think that the majority of people can’t find happiness that way. Controlling your thoughts and emotions to react happily to any given situation is not that easy. Not everyone has the ability to control his responses or re-frame reality.
So, is there an alternative way to find happiness?
Yes, there is. And that’s what I’m about to share with you now.
But, before I do, we need to agree upon this fact:
Happiness oscillates
It’s an up and down state. Nobody can be happy ALL the time. However, your objective is
to be happy MOST of the time.
And in order to be happy most of the time, you first need to define what the ideal state of
happiness looks like. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to discover its location.
I believe that the ideal state of happiness is the child’s state of happiness. Look at a
child playing and you’ll see happiness in action.
We were all born at level 10 of happiness. And as we grow old, fill our minds with
negativity and experience life tragedies, we go down on the happiness scale.
With that being said, here’s where you can find happiness…
The easiest way to find happiness is to identify the locations that
trigger your child’s state of happiness.
Yes, it’s an outside-in process!
This secret is based on the principle that says, “Change of scenery begets change
of thought.” When you put yourself in an environment that triggers positive thoughts,
memories and emotions, you will find happiness.
We all have favorite locations, or have been in locations, where we almost forget about
time when we are there. These are places where you find yourself, experience pure joy,
become extremely excited, eliminate your stress, heal your wounds, gather with your
beloved ones, find inner peace or feel proud.
Here’s an exercise that I encourage you to do now. I call it:
The “10 Locations” exercise
It’s very simple. Bring a sheet of paper and write down 10 locations that trigger your child’s
state of happiness. These could be places that you visit regularly, occasionally, or have
been there only once. You can consider virtual locations as well. If there is a website that
makes you happy and improves your mood, then feel free to add it to the list.
The goal is to write down any location that you remember has triggered the child’s state of
happiness inside you, even if it has been years since you’ve been there.
Whenever you feel you’re moving down the happiness scale, make sure to visit one of
these locations to bring the level of happiness up again.
Here are the 10 locations where I find happiness:
1. Cinema / Theatre
2. Hotel
3. Beach
4. Soccer field
5. Visiting a new city
6. Playing chess in a cafe
7. Book / Multimedia / Electronics store (e.g. Virgin, Apple Store)
8. Speaking on the stage
9. Martial arts center
10. Restaurants
Start with a simple list of 10 locations and add to it as you remember or experience other
locations. Set a goal to create a “100 Locations” list this year.
“We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart
too big for the body.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Begin by sharing your 10 locations in the comments below.
Image by blinkingidiot
Mohamed Tohami is a bestselling author and the creator of “The P.A.S. Technique: The World’s Easiest Way To Find Your Passion and Purpose In Life”. Visit hisTransformational Motivation blog now to grab your free copy of his special report 4 Steps to a Life of Passion and enjoy a unique, easy, expansive and lively motivational reading experience.
Great post, Mohamed. I like your suggestion of writing a list of 10 places that bring out the happiness in us as individuals. Happiness is something that usually eludes people so putting yourself in places that have made you happy in the past definitely brings out that child-like happiness in us.
Thanks for sharing!
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:43 am
Thanks Etieno. I’m glad you like the post. What are your 10 locations of happiness? Do you have any plans to go to one of them soon?
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Good stuff, Mohamed! I always go to my favorite spots to tap into my happy place. And, when I can’t go to them physically, I go to them mentally. Either way, making the trip always makes me happy. My favorite spots are large parks with walking trails, the cinema, little league fields while game events are in progress, and shopping malls.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:44 am
Awesome list Anthony. I’m glad you mentioned going to these places mentally. Mental images definitely trigger positive emotions. Thanks for adding this insight.
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Wow! You’ve given me a great idea! Here are the places where I find happiness:
1. My room
2. My mom’s room
3. Theater/Cinema
4. My mom’s hometown
5. Restaurant
6. Mall!
7. Beach!
8. My friends house
9. Church
10. Park
That’s it!
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:47 am
Great list! It is great that you feel happy in your room. At least, you don’t have to go to a far place to be happy. I can see that Cinema is a common location that brings happiness to people.
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many people may just not understand what I’m going to say..
for me happiness is being alive, to breathe, to see, to touch things, to feel the sun light and warm on my face..
So my only place to be happy in is me!
As a poet, things like Happiness and Love and Friendship I can discuss for hours! And this is very vital and interesting issue.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:48 am
Oh yeah! Poets are great at creating mental images. And these images do trigger amazing emotions of happiness. Congratulations for having this mindset, Patrick.
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the list which you provided here, can be a great resources in free time for giving happiness. i appreciate this post which are eye catching and giving us some good in future.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:49 am
Thanks Bhushan. I’m glad you like it. Do you have specific places that you personally enjoy and would like to share with us here.
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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I agree with the writer but according to me happiness lies in myself.If I am positive and have power to handle the situation, happiness will welcome me.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:37 am
Congratulations for having this power. For starters, this might be difficult. They may need a practical tip to help them through tough circumstances.
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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Nice post, I like the idea of writing a list of our own ‘Happy Places’
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I like your list of favorite places. I would put restaurants on the top of the list. I go to relax and socialize. Good stuff.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:38 am
Nice! do you have a favorite cuisine that you enjoy more? I love the Chinese cuisine. What else do you have on your list of happiness locations?
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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Michael Belk Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:45 am
Mohamed, I like trying new cuisines. My favorites are Italian and Indian. I make it a day of relaxation. I tried Sushi for the first time and I loved it.
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Great post Mohamed. I agree that the ideal point of happiness is the child at play – so I like extending the same pleasures to adults. Visualizing your favorite 10 places helps bring you there. So others can benefit, I have included your post in Best of the Web. Thank you.
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Really nice post there. I am always happy at the beach and at the cinema, in fact I can’t remember a time when I was at either and felt any troubles.
I would like to branch this out and add in certain people, movies, times of the year and songs that always trigger happy memories and feelings.
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:39 am
Wonderful! Cinema is a common happiness place. That’s why it is an ever green industry that is rarely affected by economic circumstances. People will never cease going to the Cinema.
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Okay in no particular order here are some places I go that make me happy. Beach, park, restaurants, cinema, theme parks, yoga class, playing with my dog, wandering through hotel foyers.
Great idea.
Sue
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:40 am
I share with you many locations. I would love to add to my list Yoga class. It has been on my wish list for a long time now!
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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This is one of the great blog I had read. Happiness maybe quite difficult to achieve but I do believe if you will smile always you can be happy always!
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hi there guys, its nice to see this page, and to be honest I learned something new in here. I will share this to my friends so they can see it too…
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:41 am
Great Fatima! The spirit of sharing is awesome. As the saying goes, “Sharing is caring”. I hope you apply the idea and have more happiness in your life.
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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Hi Mohamed,
I know I’m one of the few but for the most part, I’m always happy. I learned to appreciate what I have and recognize just how precious life truly is. Just getting up every morning and having another day on this earth makes me happy. I smile throughout the day because I love what I do. I don’t have to go to places to be happy, I already am.
Wonderful exercise though because I see most people who have commented enjoyed thinking about the places that make them the most happy.
~Adrienne
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Mohamed Tohami Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 7:42 am
What a great gratitude attitude you have Adrienne. When we reach the stage of doing what we love full time, then we will definitely be the happiest people on earth.
Mohamed Tohami invites you to read… Help Me Quit My Job And Sing The Song I Was Born To Sing
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Kesha, The Uncommon Chick Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I agree with Adrienne in that I’m mostly always happy as well. I don’t know if I have a particular place though. Rather, I have things or actions I do to keep me happy like writing in my gratitude journal, seeing new places to visit and travel to, seeing the light bulb come on when I’m teaching someone something new, and ultimately reading a good ol’ fiction novel
If I had to choose a place, I’d say my home. It’s the picture of peace and serenity (since I live alone), that is until my cat starts getting on my nerves! LOL
~Kesha
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1. California
2. Lakes
3. Hiking
4. My dog Louie
5. Halloween
6. Grandmas’ Cookies
7. Hide and Seek with my young friends
8. Summer break
9. Riding Bikes
10. Going to the fair
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Very interesting, Mohammed!
It’s true, happiness comes from within but many people just can’t find it there, so this is a great exercise to try to find our happiness.
Isn’t it a shame that we lose that child happiness as we grow older? Only few people can keep that intact. I know one person like that, but those are rare.
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What a great call to action!
1. My husband
2. Looking at my 3 dogs straight in their eyes
3. Being Grateful for all that I have before getting out of bed.
4. My Biological daughter and my three step children who are all awesome
5. A walk in nature
6. Shopping!!!!!!!!!
7. Sharing with a stranger
8. Playing with a child
9. Connecting with people all over the world as an internet marketer
10.Good Food with a glass of wine
Those are only ten things that make me happy, but I’m usually happy all day long.
Thanks for this wonderful blog.
Donna
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Thanks for this ideas, i usually find happiness when i give food to people who can’t even offered a meal.
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Alex Reply:
September 14th, 2012 at 11:40 am
Well, that is very nice of you. Such a wonderful man you are. Yes, I agree, giving a meal or food for needy people is something not a lot of people do. This is sad…
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Nice idea! In all the busyness we sometimes forget to take a moment and reflect on the good things in life. The one thing that came to my mind immediately was “the zoo”. I haven’t been there in years but I remember good times as a kid and even as an adult! Maybe I’ll treat myself to a trip there again this summer
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I find happiness when I sing homemade songs to my two labrador dogs. Other places, too. Everywhere, actually. But they do enjoy it so, and not very many others appriciate my blissful endevours.
I find happiness reading post like this, too.
Hugs.
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I find happiness when my whole family having a vacation abroad…Shopping together with my friends its really enjoy…Reading also your blog giving happiness to me..
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I think of Woody Allen saying ‘Tracey’s face’ in Manhattan when i read this blog. Good post.
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Someone told me once, you have 2 choices in life; you can either be happy or miserable. When days get on my nerves or I am having a bad day, I always reminded of why my life is still good. I don’t want to wake up thinking bad thoughts and missing the importance of being able to live another day. Here are the 10 things I am happy about:
1. My family
2. My health
3. My roof over my head
4. My doggies and kitties
5. My real friends
6. Playing with my little cousins
7. Talking to a child
8. Being out in nature
9. Living in a free country
10.Having an awesome job.
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Hi I think everyone has a happy place they can go to. Mi e is windsurfing you are away from modern technology. It is very exhilarating and most of all it is great fun. Where would we be without happy places to go to
Thanks lee
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Like some others have commented, I too am generally in a happy place and enjoy life to it’s fullest. But as you say in your post, we can’t be in a complete state of happiness all the time and when the chips are down, then escaping to a happy place is a great way to deal with that situation. My places of happiness are in the mountains, yoga and rowing on the Thames. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Louise
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Love this idea. I just feel better about thinking about my happy list, I can see how this works. I think I found a neighborhood theme
1. Parents house
2. The zoo
3. Bingo (Fond memories of my Nana)
4. The park by my old childhood neighborhood
5. The neighborhood where I met my husband
6. The Italian pastry shop in the old neighborhood
7. The off-leash park
8. My grandpas old neighborhood
9. Under a (meditation) tree down by the river
10. Anywhere in the country and out of the city.
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Good stuff, Mohamed! Everybody has his own place where he can find happiness. As for me, i’d like to going to the beach,going to the party and so on. But live in a busy life, we can’t find happiness easily than before, your talking about this remind many people of their own ways to find happiness. It’s awesome!
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What a wonderful article! Happiness is necesscory to everyone. I always tell myself have a happy time, but sometimes it’s hard to find happiness. When I go back to home , happyniess is always at there waiting for me.
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This is definitely something that will make you think. For me it has to be hanging out, outside with the family cooking out on the grill. We always have a great time, whenever we get together and even more fun when we break out the drinks lol.
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I want to join you gauys. So here are the places that makes me happy:
1. My room.
2. Serene place away from home.
3. Beach.
4. Restaurant.
5. Coffee Shop.
6. Bookstore.
7. Amusement Centers
8. Aviary.
9. Garden.
10. Cinema.
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This is an interesting post and I think it is good to know locations that make us happy. Music is my hobby, so a good location for me would be a music store or a live concert. Traveling to new places also makes me happy
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I love spending my time in my room. The comfortable bed is my sanctuary. I feel safe, protected and relaxed whenever I am in my room.
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Is it ok if I don’t find happiness in a specific location? Or rather, I find happiness doing specific activities and being around specific people I love. After some consideration that’s where I feel the best.
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This exercise is actually quite good. It is hard for the modern man to find happiness in his life. For this reason, bringing the memories of places, which have made us happy, is at least one step closer to full realization of our emotional potential. It is good to say that the author has a fine way of showing this method to us. It is clear that she will teach a lot of people a thing or two, as long as they agree to follow her guidance unconditionally. Keep up the good work – we would love to see more posts such as this hit the internet.
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Happiness is defined in a lot of ways. It is important that we balance our life so as to achieve happiness. So, look for the things that contributes to your happiness. Nourish them and live with them.
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