What is Authentic Happiness and How Do I Find It?

What is the difference between authentic happiness and false happiness? Do you get the feeling that you "should" be happy now you've landed your dream job, in a wonderful relationship, had your baby, moved to the home of your dreams?

What have all the above examples got in common?

That's right they're all external features. Something outside of you. In my view authentic happiness is only found from the inside out, not the outside in.

So How Do I Do the Inside Job?

Hmm, well, I believe it all starts with stillness. Or as Martha Beck says, in her book 'The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life', "doing nothing".

We all have a still, small voice within us that knows how we can be happy. The problem is it's so small and quiet we usually drown it out with our chatter, the radio, mp3 players, TV, DVDs, electronic games etc. When do we ever sit still and quietly long enough to listen to that wisdom?

If you're serious about becoming happier, then I strongly recommend going on The Joy Diet that Martha Beck talks about in her book of the same name. UK USA I'll tell you the basics of it, with my own spin which, in my opinion, makes it much more powerful and you'll find authentic happiness quicker to obtain. I recommend you getting the book because she writes in such a chatty style, and I'm only going to give you the bones of it here.

Stillness Creates Happiness

So why does stillness (of mind and body) get me happy? Well, my guess, if your reading this page, is you want to but your not really sure how to be happy. I'll tell you now that I don't know what will make you happy. The only person who knows is you. Ah, I hear you arguing with me now, but wait, I'll explain.

You, the real you, not the mask you wear every day in public, knows what it takes for you to be happy. So you need to get in touch with this real you. The only way to do that is to be quiet, with no distractions and listen. If you do this each day for about 15 minutes, your real self. your higher self with then start to communicate with you. It might take a few days but you will get in touch with your inner wisdom.

Click here for ideas how you can do this and what to do if you just can't or don't want to sit and do nothing.

So once you can hear your still small voice within, you just have to listen and act on what you hear and you will find authentic happiness.

Inner Communication

I can tell that I'm moving towards my own authentic happiness when I'm considering which fork in the road to take on life's journey. I notice I get teary with emotion - neither happy or sad, but just emotion. I've realised that's how I feel when I'm considering doing something that my inner being feels to be very important to me.

You will no doubt have a different signal. Your task (should you wish to accept it) is to notice what it is and follow it's lead.

Glide serenely from this Authentic Happiness page to the Home Page