It is really a matter of remembering, waking up. Remembering that you are more than merely human and that it is your “response-ability” that is a secret to your power to BE happy. You see, happiness is really a state of being. It is an “inside job”.

This time of year it is easy to get sucked into looking for happiness in things, and the “holiday season” is a great marketing tool for many merchandisers. While this is all fine and good, if you are expecting to experience lasting happiness, it would be wise to spend time getting in touch with your inner guidance, and cultivating your core confidence instead of seeking happiness in the next great gadget, outfit or piece of jewelry.

Again, I’m all for enjoying a variety of experiences here on our beloved planet, but if we don’t develop the awareness that we have choice as to how we respond instead of just continuing to react to external stimuli, we will easily be manipulated by others who don’t have our best interest at heart necessarily. Also, if we are depending on circumstances to “make us happy” – good luck.

The last I checked the only thing one can really count on in the physical world is, you got it – change.

Taking responsibility for yourself by building your mind muscle and learning to proactively manage your emotions (which often needs healing first) is a powerful step toward leaning “response-ability” – the ability to respond. Remember that it is not what happens to us that determines the outcome of our lives.

It is HOW we respond to our situations, experiences and circumstances, that make all the difference in just how much happiness you get to experience in your daily life. Happiness is a state of being, not getting, acting or pursuing.

Here are 3 keys that changed my happiness level:

1. Start focusing on gratitude instead of complaining – Gratitude is one of the most powerful spiritual forces in the Universe.

2. Start making friends with feelings and emotions – The energy of emotion has been scientifically shown to be 60 times greater in electrical energy and 5,000 times greater in magnetic force than thought. You want this powerful ally on your side. Healing past pain and learning to consciously manage your feelings is a major way of getting back to your natural state of feeling happy.

3. Getting in touch with my own inner Guidance – Taking your power back from externals is central to inner peace. As long as the standard for what defines happiness is in marketing materials and media, you are a sitting duck for perpetual dissatisfaction.

Happiness – go within or go with out! What do you think?