14 Feb The overlooked details that make people happy
via the Ladders by Thomas Oppong
Happiness is a desire as universal as our want for food or oxygen. But that state of contentedness is not always an easy one to achieve. Some people pay money to experience it. But they still fall short of it. It’s rarely found in big moments/holidays — those memorable experiences you can only afford once or twice a year.
Everyday can’t be blissful but we can make everyday good by doing little things. Happiness isn’t made up of big moments, it’s made up of many small moments brought together. It’s very personal and subtle. Happiness is different for everyone. While what makes us all happy varies, noticing the little details of life can make you smile every day.
“An effective route to happiness is not necessarily through experiencing major events that we might have planned out such as getting married, moving house, getting that all-important promotion, or even being on a holiday,” says Dr. Glenn Williams, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University.
She adds, “Rather it is the small, and often unexpected, pleasures in life that can make us smile each and every day to help us build happier and more meaningful lives for ourselves and for others.”
Many people are too busy to notice the little things and opportunities for happiness. Taking time to recognize even the smallest actions around you can help you see life from a different perspective. When life is intense, you lose a sense of the present moment and worry too much about what’s ahead of you.
To experience true happiness in the overlooked details, you must be willing to be disturbed, surprised, or wrong in your assumptions. The things that happen unexpectedly tend to be the things bringing the biggest amount of happiness. “Happiness may be with us, baked into our present moment, eagerly awaiting our grateful acknowledgment, but nothing is less likely to make us happy than trying to pursue it,” argues Jonathan Rowson of The New York Times. Happiness is everywhere if you look close enough.
People Are Happier When They Talk to Strangers
Smile, or better yet, strike up a conversation with a stranger when you have a few minutes or during your commute. Nobody appreciates unwanted attention, but you will be surprised by the response if you make the attempt with good intentions.
Behavioral scientists say initiating positive interactions strangers evokes higher happiness levels in both parties. It’s a guaranteed win-win. “…simply reaching out to a fellow human being to say hello may be better received than people realize. Few start a conversation with a stranger, but most seem happy to talk if you reach out with good intentions,” writes Nicholas Epley & Juliana Schroeder, Behavioural scientists.Never miss an article!Follow Ladders on Flipboard
As uncomfortable as they may be, interactions with strangers can expose you to new perspectives that could add meaningful experiences to your life. Choose to acknowledge someone else with your attention the next time you deem it fit to start a conversation with a stranger…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE