Love is the Key to a Good Life

Meaning. Purpose. Happiness. These are all things we want in life and lucky for us, they’re all free! Aristotle said “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Wise words said more than 2000 years ago, and as true now as then.

So if all of those things are free for the taking, how come so many of us don’t have them? Or…do we? Perhaps we do have them, but don’t fully realize it? Perception is reality, so if you perceive yourself to be happy, you will be, because you’ll begin to see all the good you have in your life.

Read these 8 simple ways that you can start living the life you’ve always wanted today.

1. Love
Love is the key to happiness — it may even be the key to the universe! Love is not something you feel on occasion, but rather, is something you allow to flow through you. The most important step is to love all and, let yourself be loved.

2. Help Others
Once you let love fill your heart, the desire to help others will flow naturally. Helping others is an incredible power — it makes someone’s life better and the feeling you get from helping will inspire you to do more good in the world. That increased good will grow and expand and all touched by it, including you, will grow happier.

3. Follow Your Passion
Whatever your passion is, do it. But, make sure it’s a positive passion that uplifts and benefits. If you’re not sure what your passion is, focus on what you think about most — is that your passion, or at least one of them? Having worthwhile careers or hobbies is an important ingredient to living a fulfilled life.

4. Be Grateful
Take time to regularly think about of all the things that you have to be grateful for. Regular reflection on our blessings helps us to feel more satisfied, which helps us to be less manic in chasing every fad or having to “keep up with the Jones’.”

5. Share
Give, help, assist, support, encourage — share love, share knowledge, share wealth, share kindness. Giving, whether that be material things or even a kind word, is extremely beneficial. Be willing to share with others and they will in turn, share with you, so its a win-win.

6. Do No Harm
Sadly, there are many people in our world who say they “love” everyone, yet they do harm to others. Do no harm to people, animals or nature. Show kindness, love, be fair and treat people the way you want to be treated.

7. Avoid Drama
Gossip, drama, intrigue, controversy — these things are negative and no matter how harmless we may think a “bit of gossip” is, the harm done is fast and deep. Once we engage in the drama, it slowly encroaches into our lives and we replace good with bad. Avoid drama and don’t create it either.

8. Let Go
Why are we so manic and angry today? In part, its because we don’t let things go anymore. We’ve replaced cooperation and fair-mindedness with stubbornness — we’re willing to go to the mat over every little thing. Before you let something get you worked up, take a breath and think “Is this really that important? Will this have an effect on my life next week…month…year?”

Love, kindness, compassion, generosity, gratitude and meaning are some of the most important ingredients to making a happy, fulfilled life. To have them, all you need to do is want them — they’re free for all, and once you have them, the positive changes will be miraculous.