OLBlog

Being a lifestyle entrepreneur is a win-win situation, any other entrepreneur is fighting a losing battle. Make sure you’re on the winning team! Here are 3 reasons why the lifestyle entrepreneur wins every time:

1. You have to love what you do

“You’ve got to find what you love, and that is as true for work as it is for your lovers.”

2. Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, it’s not a job

• 30% sleeping
• 30% working
• 40% leisure (or if you’re like most of us, you spend leisure time doing all the chores before going back to work)

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.”

Bad luck on Friday the 13th might just be a superstition, But where does this fear come from? Why Friday the 13th is considered such an unlucky day? Around the world, many cultures believe that the date is a sign of bad luck.

Throughout history, it has been considered that a Friday that falls on 13 is a sign of bad luck or a bad omen. Whether this is true or not, the fact is that many people suffer at the mere idea of thinking about this date and suffer phobias directly related to this superstition. Today we bring you some curiosities about Friday the 13th.

1. It is not known for certain why this date is feared

Little is known about the origins of fear to this day. Some historians believe that the superstitions surrounding this time arose in the nineteenth century. The first documented mention can be found in the biography of the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday the 13th.

Others associated with a 1907 book called "Friday the thirteenth," published by the broker US stock market Thomas Lawson and that was the inspiration for mythology Friday 13th culminating in films and television series in the 80.

For some, the myth has biblical origins, since Jesus was crucified on a Friday and there were 13 people at the Last Supper on the night before his crucifixion. And others associated with misfortune since 1307, when on a Friday the 13th, the King Felipe IV, launched a brutal persecution against the Order of the Knights Templar. Which caused the mass arrests of its members.

2. It is a very real fear

So true that it even has its own scientific name. The fear of Friday the 13th is also called Triskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. It comes from the Greek words triskaideka-, meaning 13, and phobia, which means fear. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is also derived from the Greek: Paraskeví is translated as Friday, and de Katrina is another way of saying 13.
Also read: Why Friday the 13th Is Considered Unlucky

3. And very common!

Experts say Triskaidekaphobia affects millions of people and estimate that companies, particularly airlines suffer severe losses on Friday 13th.

Many high - rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals omit the 13th floor, and even many airports don't have numbered doors with 13. In many parts of the world, 13 people sitting at a table is also a sign of bad luck.

It is proven that hundreds of millions of dollars less are spent on that day, as people avoid shopping, investing money, traveling, going to work, thus affecting the world economy and the business sector that is clearly affected.

4. On Fridays, 13th may come three in three

There is bad news for all who suffer from triskaidekaphobia: At least, every year have a Friday 13th, and at most, we can have 3 Friday 13 in the same year. As happened in the years 2012 and 2015.

5. The fault that exists on Friday the 13th has Sunday

For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the month must start on a Sunday. You do not believe it? Take a look at the calendar and check it out for yourself.

7. There are Fridays 13th even during leap years

If January 1 of the leap year falls on Sunday, the months of January, April and July will have a Friday 13 each. In the 20th century, this occurred in 1928, 1956 and 1984. And in the 21st century, this will happen four times in 2012, 2040, 2068, 2096.

8. Alfred Hitchcock was born, of course, on the 13th

The master of the suspense was taken the 13th of August 1899, the reason why the 13 of August of, 1999 would have turned 100 years. Also, Hitchcock debuted as director in 1922 with a called film "Number 13". The film pursued from the start by bad luck, never got to take off due to financial problems.

9. Not every country is considered a day of bad luck

Although there are countries like the United Kingdom in which, according to studies, 72% of the population says that they think that Friday the 13th is a day of bad luck. And that on this date they have missed work, avoided leaving their home, Travel, doing business or making necessary purchases, there are others where this date is not a problem.

In Italy, for example, it is Friday 17 and Friday 13 not regarded as the day of bad luck. In fact, the number 13 is considered some good luck in the country of pasta. And in many Spanish-speaking countries, such as Spain, and in Greece, it is Tuesday the 13th that is considered a day of bad luck.

10. Research shows that, in fact, it is not a day of bad luck.

There is no evidence to prove that Friday the 13th is, in fact, an unfortunate day. Many studies have confirmed that on Friday the 13th has no particular effect on misfortunes such as accidents, hospital admissions, or natural disasters, which do not seem to increase at that date more than usual.

11. The date has inspired great successes in cinema and literature

The company's commercial success Friday 13 includes 12 horror movies, a television series and several books that focus on curses and superstitions. Although the films and television series received many negative reviews, they have a large following. The mask used by the main character of these films, Jason Voorhees, is one of the most popular images of popular culture.

12. On Friday, April 13, 2019, an asteroid will cross the land

The asteroid 99942 Apophis was discovered in 2004. It was then thought that there was a small possibility that it might collide with Earth. But you can rest easy since, since then, scientists have shown that there is absolutely no risk of the asteroid impacting the Earth or the Moon.
Also read: Why Friday the 13th Is Considered Unlucky

13. Fortunately, everything is in your mind

Thomas Gilovich, the department of psychology at Cornell University, explains that our brains make partnerships with a particular day, so it gives priority to the myths that have to do with the "bad luck." If something bad happens to you on a Friday the 13th, your mind will associate the two events in your mind forever, but if it happens on any other date, the association will not exist.

Today is Friday 13th. Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. If you are superstitious, you should know that the fear of the 13th Friday is very old. It worries us, maybe we can blame a group of American gentlemen who were sworn enemies superstitions. But what happened on Friday the 13th that make the day historic and create a mystery among western people. 

From time immemorial many have feared Fridays and 13 days. But why did both fears come together to generate a belief with a life of its own in the English-speaking world?

In America, on the other hand, superstition applies to Tuesdays 13th. As for English-speaking countries, the reasons don't seem to be mystical.

"From the astrological point of view, there is no need to worry about Friday the 13th," says Robert Currey, Equinox Astrology. The fear of Friday the 13th is also called friggatriskaidekaphobia.

The dates and days of the week used to be closely related to the planetary movements and phases of the Moon in a system that goes back to the Babylonians, he explains, but that is no longer the case.

Sonia Ducie is a numerology consultant who firmly believes in the innate energy of numbers. 13th "has to do with the transformation and change," he says. Ducie considers to Friday the fifth day of the week that is associated with the movement.

"You can see how those two numbers together could be very restless," but he clarifies: "It's up to us. Energy is neutral. "

Why did this combined superstition arise?

In 1907, a book called "Friday the 13th" was published by a broker named Thomas Lawson. It was the inspiration for the mythology of Friday 13th that culminated with the films and the television series in the 80.

Lawson's book is a dark tale of Wall Street whose central character generates booms and falls in the market to take revenge on his enemies, leaving many in misery and ruin. And it takes advantage of the fears that the date Friday 13 could generate in the dealers.

Friday the 13th, In 1907 the fear of Friday the 13th was already an established superstition. "Every man in the stock market and on Wall Street has his eye on it. On Friday 13 would break the best bull market in history that was in progress, "says one of the characters. So in 1907 the fear of that date was already an established superstition. It was not a quarter of a century before.

The penises and corpses that are venerated in Thailand

The Thirteen Club (Club of thirteen), a meeting of merry gentlemen determined to challenge all superstitions , met for the first time on September 13, 1881 (a Wednesday) although it was formally organized on Friday , January 13, 1882 .

The 13th day of each month gathered, sat on the table 13, broken mirrors, spilled salt with exuberance and reached under cross - dinner walking stairs .

The club's annual reports carefully specified how many of its members had died and how many had died during the following year after attending a dinner at the club.

It was founded by Captain William Fowler at his Knickerbocker Cottage restaurant on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, New York. Fowler was associated with "good camaraderie, a great, heart and a charity simple and without ostentation."

As quarterback club " always led the way boldly and fearlessly into the banquet hall , " said the "chief ruler" of the club, Daniel Wolff.

The US newspaper The New York Times reported that at the first meeting, the guest number 13 was delayed, and Fowler pushed one of the waiters to compensate for the absence of the diner who completed the unlucky number .

"Despite his screams he was being pushed under the stairs when the missing guest arrived," the newspaper reported. The first objective of the club was the fear that if 13 people were dining together one could die soon . But a second superstition came soon after.

In April 1882, a resolution was adopted deploring the fact that on Friday had been "considered for many centuries a day of bad luck ... for senseless reasons."

The club called on the US president, governors and judges to stop choose to Friday as the day of "hang" people and executions realizasen other days as well. But there is no sign in the Friday superstition mix club with the 13th.

It must have appeared sometime between 1882 and the publication of Lawson's book in 1907.

Responsibility of the enemies of superstition?

Could it be the club's own fault? There they took every opportunity to ridicule both fears.

The newspaper Los Angeles Herald reported in 1895: " Every time during the past 13 years has fallen on Friday the 13th of the month , this particular organization has never ceased to hold a special meeting to rejoice."

The club prided itself on putting superstition in the limelight. Its fame was great: of the original 13 members had been passed to hundreds at the beginning of Century XX. And similar clubs had been established in other cities in the United States and in London.

"Two such vulgar superstitions that have fought decisively and without flinching , " wrote integral Charles Sotheran to other club members in New York in 1883, "that is, l a belief that 13 is an unlucky number and Friday a day of bad luck . They have created a popular feeling in favor of both. "

Sotheran must have meant that they "made the Friday and the 13th less unpopular," but his phrase is ambiguous and could have meant "made popular superstitions." Was this interpretation that established superstition in public opinion?

The doctrine of The Thirteen Club was "that superstition should be attacked and fought and expelled from the Earth." If, on the contrary, it generated one of the most common and persistent superstitions, it was in fact an unfortunate accident.

What is happiness? Is it possible to be alone and happy? Understanding how to be happy alone is useful for many reasons, and can help you grow as a person. There are few arts to being happy alone in any age. It has to be learned; it has to be practiced daily and dutifully tended to. We all have different explanations and definitions of what happiness is and what it means to each of us. No matter what challenges, crossroads, and lifestyle changes you come across in your life, at the end of the day, your happiness is what truly matters most.

Your thoughts can be your best friend or your number one enemy when you are alone.  It is therefore important to work extra time in order to eradicate those negative thoughts or negative energy that will drag you down. Many people find happiness in their times of loneliness is by experiencing new things and developing new skills.


But I promise it can be done. Really. Being unmarried, single, childless, yet satisfied and fabulous—it’s possible, I swear.

Whether you’re in a relationship, have children, have a busy work life or whatever the circumstances are, it’s important to know how to be happy alone. When you know what makes you truly happy, practice self-love, take care of yourself and take necessary steps to see how powerful being happy alone can be.
Recommended:

• 20 Incredibly-Simple Ways to Be Happier 
• 7 Small Habits That Will Steal Your Happiness

Figure Out What Makes You Truly Happy

If you have recently gotten out of a relationship, or are simply not currently interested in anyone, then try not to look at this stage in your life as a negative thing. Being single gives you a wonderful opportunity to figure out what truly makes you happy and gives you the perfect chance to get to know yourself better.

Being single grants you the time and freedom to do whatever you want on your own schedule and allows you to put your needs, desires, and ambitions above all others.
Not being in a relationship will help you realize and understand that your happiness does not have to depend on someone else’s presence. You need to be able to be happy alone first, and love yourself in order to give your love to someone else and have a successful relationship.

If you don’t know what is going to make you happy, how can you expect someone else to? You need to know and experience what real love and happiness is like by yourself before you commit to loving someone else.
It might be scary at first but here are some ideas that can help you to feel more positive about being alone.

Understand Loneliness and Shyness

Loneliness and shyness can cause many easily misunderstand and misinterpreted feelings. Understanding the right meanings of loneliness and shyness is the key to overcoming them.
Loneliness, for instance, is nothing more than a signal your body generates when you’re not experiencing any social connection. It signals to you that the need for social connection is as important as eating or drinking.

If you misunderstand the state of loneliness, you could get stuck in it for no reason whatsoever, especially when you have no friends and don’t know how to deal with it.
Shyness, on the other hand, is the fear of social criticism. Let me say that again: It’s the fear of social criticism. In other words, shyness is just the fear of something that might happen, but probably won’t. 

Recommended:

• The Secret to Healing is Forgiveness
• How to be Happy: The First Ten Keys to Happiness

How to be happy alone… what to do

Recognizing that being in a relationship can’t make you happy will eliminate some of your feelings of shame and lack about being single, but there will still be a lot of other thoughts that make you unhappy in life. Therefore, to truly answer the question “How to be happy alone?”, the answer is: The same way to make yourself happy when in a relationship… Lose the thoughts that make you unhappy.

How do you do that? First, you have to identify the thoughts that make you unhappy. Once you do that, all you have to do is discover that these thoughts aren’t true. When you stop believing a thought, that thought will stop creating an emotion.
If you’re in a relationship, and you still believe all the thoughts that give you anxiety, worry, insecurity, judgment, resentment, arguments all that, you’re going to be unhappy. Therefore, in a relationship, you need to examine the thoughts that make you unhappy. The same goes for when you’re single. You need to examine the thoughts that make you unhappy. Just as you recognized in this blog post that the belief “A relationship is the key to happiness” isn’t true, you can do that with every thought that creates suffering.

Get to know yourself by spending some time alone in solitude.

Do something that will help you relax and focus on your mind, body and soul. Go shopping, take a bath, listen to some new music, have a glass of wine, watch a marathon of your favorite show and don’t feel guilty about treating yourself or making yourself a top priority.

Understand you’re good enough all by yourself

You’re a valuable person, and you don’t need the approval of anyone else for that to be true. When you’re alone, remind yourself that it’s because you choose to be. It really is a choice.

It’s very easy to find someone to spend time with, but when you have high standards for the people you allow into your life, you’re telling yourself that you’re better off by yourself than with someone who isn’t a great fit for you.

Learn to Appreciate the Present

We are who we become because of our life experiences from the past. Forgive yourself and acknowledge your mistakes from the past. Remember that the past does not always dictate your future. We all make mistakes and your mistakes do not define whom you are or whom you could be. Learn from mistakes, but celebrate the small wins of the present.

Think of the person that you were 5, 10, or 25 years ago. There will be many challenges, situations and obstacles that will come and go our way during our lives. If you had never made any mistakes or harbored any flaws, what type of person would you be now? What types of experiences would you have had and how happy would you really be if you were striving to be perfect for your whole life?

Life can be busy and hectic enough, sometimes just having the time to sit back and enjoy a nice cup of green tea could be something that can refresh and revive you.  Don’t think of the things you do not have but live in the “now” and appreciate the small things in life that help you relax and enjoy what you have in life to it’s fullest.

Learn to relax

The single most important key to survive loneliness is to be at ease with your situation. Remind yourself that your loneliness is only temporary and will definitely not last for the rest of your life. You might be confronted with times of solitude to gain a deeper understanding about yourself and your life, or to simply learn an important lesson. For whatever reason you’re confronted with loneliness, try to take it as it is. See it for the great opportunity that it provides you. Don’t let it go unused. Use the time to grow as a person. Don’t allow it to defeat you, become stronger through it. 

Find Beauty in the Ordinary

If you don’t see beauty in your world, you’re not looking hard enough. If you’re home alone and feeling down, walk outside and spend some time with nature. Watch the birds fly and admire their elaborate flight formation. Listen to dogs barking at each other in the neighborhood and think to yourself, “I wonder what they could possibly be talking about?” Look at that big, old tree that is the size of a giant (and if you’re feeling limber, why not try to climb it?). Plant some flowers, a vegetable garden, or a small tree in your back yard. Go to the park, walk on a nature trail, clear your thoughts, listen to the sounds of the forest, and be in awe of the beauty that’s right in front of you.

Close your eyes in a dark room and appreciate the silence

The world is a busy place and, unless you take a moment to step away from it once in a while, it’s easy to forget how nice it is to simply sit alone and enjoy your own company.

Take a moment and sit quietly in a dark room. Listen to everything that is not happening around you. You can learn a lot about yourself in the moments when you’re least occupied—the times when there is nothing to distract you from the thoughts and feelings you deny yourself during your busy days. 

A recommended post for you, if you read you tears will come out even if you don't want it.

Create Something of Value

The best way to feel happy alone is to spend your time creating something that brings you joy. You could write a novel or self-help book and self-publish it on Amazon, start a blog about a topic that fascinates you, go the the park and paint a landscape to hang on your wall, or learn a new language, like German or Spanish. Sometimes it is hard to motivate ourselves to get to work creating at home, so if you’re feeling a lack of inspiration, pack up your notebook and laptop for a field-trip to a park, coffee shop, or downtown bench. A simple change of scenery can do wonders for your productivity. 

Volunteer your time 

If you’re a hermit when you’re alone, find others that you can be alone around. A great way to do this—and to contribute something positive to the world—is to volunteer your time to a cause you believe in.

Being alone and happy doesn’t mean sequestering yourself from the world. It means being confident enough to know that you can surround yourself with people, but not depend on them for your own happiness.

And one good way to get started is to surround yourself with good people—the kind you’ll find when you give your time to a cause that’s important to you.

I promised to be happy by the rest of my life. My happiness is my responsibility alone, not anyone else. But I always wonder why I'm not happy as I should be? What thoughts make me unhappy? I guide people toward health and happiness anywhere I get a little time to write something. I believe that past life, past memories never let anyone be happy in the present not even in the future. Happiness lives in the present. But I know some past life memories can make us happy and fulfilling lives.

Today I realize that I have left all the happiness I had in my boyhood or earlier life. Perhaps it happens to everyone, but none all of them can understand. Perhaps its too late for me to realize but I thank god, that I got it before I die. I won't be unhappy by remembering those days, but I have to write down today. I think this will heal my pain and helps many other readers to be healed from their past furious memories.

"If you want to heal from the past, put your attention on your present moment experience."

The story of what happened in my past didn’t change. But what I gave power to totally changed. I stopped dwelling on the past. I stopped justifying the anger, and now I'm controlling myself to finding happiness every single moment.

“What’s wrong with me? This is nuts. I should be so much further ahead by now.”
Though we only lived there for around few years, my memories of that place are endless. I have so many memories of the people there, in the town. And they of I. I remember so much that i could probably write a short book on the years spent living there. Despite being a small town, it was definitely a lively and interesting town that i was glad to have lived in.

Days into making this big pivot in my life I must say I have gained a newfound passion and excitement that I haven’t experienced in a long time. I am walking into the unknown where I have a chance to build something new and directly engage with people in a positive way. It will be a totally new environment where taking risks is encouraged, failure is tolerated, and learning is constantly occurring.
Recommended:

• 10 Ways to Live Alone But Happier Ever 
• 20 Incredibly-Simple Ways to Be Happier

Before I start I wants to ask you some question about happiness: 

• Where the hell all my happiness gone? 
• Where all your happiness diapered very suddenly? 
• Why we lost happiness as we grown aged? 
• Do you think aging and happiness are for ever enemies?

I don't have answers of those question, perhaps I will write about those things in my later articles. 

Things I have left behind..

I have left behind a lot of things as I moved ahead in life. It is the natural order and while I do not regret the small changes in my life, I see the many memories made and feelings and patterns emerging out of the days gone by. The ones that do not find a trace in my life of today. Sealed in an envelope of the past and stamped with time, they have been packed and dispatched.

The person I left behind

I look around at friends and colleagues. Yup, 100% confirmed. Pretty much everyone is leaving me in the dust. Still, many things that I have left behind. I speak my mind more now than before and I have an opinion, almost always. My dreams are still guarded and not shared even with the closest ones around. Fighting for myself remains a challenge till date but parts of the process have improved. I have left behind more than I can think of and admit to.

Life that I left behind

I was twenty something when I left my home (I mean my dad's home, it was in a beautiful little city). Away from my parents, I stepped out to make a new life, new career and do all that my twenty-year-old mind and heart had thought for a bright future [To mention here, I mad some biggest mistake at the time, but after years I made some more change to improve my life and build a better career). 
Coming from a small city, scared about a lot of things around, and always hoping that nothing goes wrong, it was the independent life. A life that I had thought of, and of-course many more that was really unexpected. Apartment, friends and awesome roadways and railways to travel to sea beach, day after day, night after night I have enjoyed sea beach, sun rise, moonlit, rain, rain even at the sea beach. It was really amazing feelings to live there, specially at night. Those days of queuing up and filling forms to get a berth on the train. 

"Article continues after Advertisement"

Get a Free Payoneer MasterCard® [Apply Now]
Make Money with Payoneer Affiliate Program and Earn $25 Cash Per Referral. Learn More Here >>

Memories I left behind

Many nights I walked alone on the beach, heard sea-sore, night birds chipping, walking into the sandy-water, passing my foot print by the sand, long long way I had to walk. Inside my heart and brain had some feelings of joy, happiness along with a kind of sadness. I guess, I would missed some one, maybe my sister (I loved her so much and still now), maybe that girl I loved but she cheated me. 
Maybe those memories with the loving peoples. All this, sometime gave made me feel like dying and sometime I'm in heaven. Here I must have to mention that, If I wanted to talk with them, I could be able, but I didn't. Maybe I didn't wanted to, but I had pain and joy along with all these present (that time) and past memories of that time. but now The life I left behind, what I mentioned above I missed those days a lot. It doesn't mean I'm unhappy now. But it seems much more happiness were there, the life I left behind.

I have always liked meeting new people. I have many friends and close people But none of them are same close ones I had then. I can’t get close to new people or maybe they can’t get close to me. 
So, the set of friends never expanded. Then what I get? Just a good relation with peoples. Nothing more, nothing less. I met many wonderful people over years who made a lot of difference to my life by their presence. Those smiles, the endless chatter or opening up of hearts seems like an old melody today. They moved on and I stopped there or maybe I moved on too (as you know time can't be stopped). I miss them and I always wonder why I could not hold on to them. Maybe I wasn't perfect enough for them, or maybe nature ruled over my faith. However it's all ok, even if I miss enough the life I left behind and those days will never come again to my life. But I hope better days are coming to me and everyone.

Beautiful memories I left behind at Grandpas house

Many time we (my family) visited my grandpas house. That's a beautiful place, specially for kids, beautiful nature and open playground which is actually unlimited space for any city kids. There were a pond we liked most. Beyond the pond, on the edge of the woods, my sister and i played with many other children.  It was an old tree that leaned at an extreme angle. It was a large, healthy tree with a massive trunk that just grew strange. Given its size, the tree was at least 100 years old (I guessed or perhaps heard somewhere). The name of the tree were "Ashare Aamm" which can be translated in English as "Rainy Mango".  
Recommended:

• The Key To Being Happy? Stop Looking For Happiness 
• The Emotional Scale - How to Deliberately Feel Happier

Roads that I left behind

The city I lived in, every road, lane, trees, peoples everyone were beautiful but I didn't realized. After decades now I feel regret why I have left my city? There are lots of memories, many nights make me cry. Why all those golden days left me away? Why can't I get back those crystal mind friends?
When I was sixteen, I met with an accident. There were no mobile phones but people in the area knew who I was. I was too lucky that the accident didn't injured me, not even a single touch to my skin. But the road scratched my t-shirt and pants. Even today I wonder how could this happen a bike accident on a highways but nothing bad happened to me. But a few people were worried and got some first aid quickly if I needed it. 

Today, I carry my business card and save phone numbers for no one would know who am I, if I ever collapsed even near my office. There is no colony and no next-door neighbors in the real sense. With multiple shortcuts and one ways, there is no one road that leads to my high school.
 
It was all mine, I mean our. Never thought that one day would come to force me to look behind, and those memories are now smiling at me and ask "are you happy now?" It sucks me, It seems all my happiness were there and I left them willingly or it was just a decisions taken by mistake. 

I have left behind over two decades of life. Moving a handful of cities and meeting many new people, I feel having lived as I had never thought of. I never thought of cycling to Yoga or getting married (but yeah relationship can be welcomed), having a blog and letting go the dream of building a super-car, calling my home and clarifying where my parents live.
Recommended:

• Happiness Lies In Little Things: 10 Tips To Finding Joy 
• How to be Happy: The Most Important Keys To Your Happiness

Few words for my parents (Days I left behind)

Now that I'm adult enough, I understand the unconditional love my parents showered me with when I was young. Every time I close my eyes, I know how it feels to love parents or kids. Many time I saw by the street, kids are trying to sleep in a tiny space and they don't even have any warm cloths in the night, I remember you (parents) comforting me when I couldn't sleep. How both of you loved me so much.  You tried to set a boundaries around my life, you set to whom should I met or not to met, but I never heard or cared you. And this was another biggest mistake of my life and i never can make it right again, because those time i left behind.

You were right about those people. They weren't good for me and I eventually broke free from them as well. I wish you were here to see how much I've learned since you knew me and the person I've become.

In a moment of insight, I took responsibility for my own happiness. I saw that my anger was preventing me from experiencing the ease and well being that I desperately wanted, so I stopped feeding it. No more stories about what should have been, no more blaming or waiting for solutions. My identity as the wounded child disappeared, and what was revealed? Happiness. Peace.

This story of my childhood to adulthood, happiness and sorrows, will be continued soon just hold on for a little while more and keep reading on this blog. 

About The Author:
Fahim Ahsan is passionate about turning impossible things to possible! He helps blogger and entrepreneurs to amplify their online business. He is expert in online business, personal development, finding happiness, inspiring people in any situation. His goal is to empower people with the skills necessary to be a successful person. The best part of all this is he really can do something impossible in reality. Connect with him on Twitter for learning more.

The truth is, happiness is something that’s already inside of you. It always has been and always will be. In fact, I believe happiness is our natural state of being – but it’s only through the conditioning of society that programs to believe otherwise. It’s only when we become aware of the conditioning and stop chasing happiness, that we really have the ability to find it within us.
There would be days where I would be insanely happy and days where I felt immensely depressed. During the happy days I’d have no problem meeting people, exploring the city, feeling optimistic, and loving the world. My positive energy radiated from my personality and I attracted everything I wanted in my life.
But the down days were much, much worse. I’d sit in my bed, watch TV, and go back to sleep with continual thoughts of defeat in my head. I’d eventually drag myself out of bed to go hang out with some friends, but my mind would be somewhere else. Life seemed dull, gray, and flat out boring. I had a hard time talking to people, my anxiety skyrocketed, and my confidence dropped to an all time low.
Also read:
So what makes us happy? In general, the older you get the happier you get -- until you reach very old age.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, the happiest age group is men 65 and older; the least happy: men 18 to 29.

Stats About Happy People Survey:

• Married people are happier than singles. 
• College grads are happier than those without a college degree. 
• People who were religious are happier than those who aren't. 
• Sunbelt residents are happier than other U.S. residents. 
• Republicans are happier than Democrats -- but both are happier than independents.

“The more you create, the more you deserve to consume.“

In all cases, the happiness they discover and gradually develop internally is seeded by the realization of certain fundamental truths.

It seems we are all here to realize these truths, in our own way, in our own time.  And once they resonate fully, not just intellectually, but emotionally and spiritually, we are then able to find the happiness and peace we seek…

1.  It’s impossible for anyone else to define YOU.

You are indefinable.  You are the only one in this world who gets to say who you are.  Circumstances and the opinions of others can only define you if you allow them to.  Do not give away your power and the magic of your essence by putting weight on negative situations in your life or the negative words of other people.

2. The past and future don’t exist.

Now is the moment.  The past is just a memory.  The future is a mental projection.  You can choose to dwell back in the past for learning and joyous reflection.  You can choose to dwell in the future for visualization and practical planning.  However, any time your awareness floats away to the past or future frequently for negative purposes, you are suffocating your ability to thrive in the only moment you ever have… the now.  Past and future literally do not exist right now – feel the freedom in this truth.
Also read:

3. About half of our happiness level is controllable.

According to The How of Happiness by researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky, about 40 percent of our happiness is under our control. The other 60 percent is predetermined by biological set points and recent life events. We are all born with different temperaments and, all else being equal, have a tendency to maintain a certain happiness level over our lifetimes, high or low. Some people are just "born happier" than others—think of a smiling baby versus a fussy baby. Life events like getting married, graduating from college, or being promoted can affect our happiness levels, but their effects diminish over time in a process known as “hedonic adaptation.” What was novel and exciting yesterday becomes "the new normal" today. We can, however, reduce the power of hedonic adaptation by deliberately practicing new attitudes and behaviors on a daily basis.  

4. You Can Be Happy RIGHT NOW!

The truth is, you can be happy RIGHT NOW.
You don’t have to wait for a moment in the future when everything is perfect.
You don’t have to wait until you make a million dollars, quit your job, buy that house or car, find that perfect relationship, or when you finally retire.  Again, this is deluding yourself into believing that something has to HAPPEN in order for you to be happy.  Don’t buy into that, it’s a lie.

If you aren’t already happy RIGHT NOW in your life, then there’s no reason to believe you will be happy in the future.

"Article continues after Advertisement"

Get a Free Payoneer MasterCard® [Apply Now]
Make Money with Payoneer Affiliate Program and Earn $25 Cash Per Referral. Learn More Here >>

5. You were born with everything you need.

There is nothing you are missing. There is no need to frantically become more, be more, do more, or get more. You are whole and complete, and were gifted every talent and insight you needed to thrive in this world in the moment you were born. Your only job is to accept this truth and then allow it to unfold.  Some gifts don’t become apparent until later in life. Some insights only become clear to you once you have life experiences that unlock such wisdom from within you. Trust in this and relax.

6. Forgiveness is choosing happiness over hurt.

We do not forgive others in order to free them of the situation, burden, guilt or regret.  We forgive others to free ourselves and walk into compassion and love by doing so.  It is in freeing ourselves that our energy level rises, our consciousness rises, and in doing so those around us benefit too.  The words of forgiveness have a positive impact on those we forgive, but ultimately forgiveness is a choice that allows us to be happy again.  This goes for both forgiveness of others and forgiveness of self.

7. A happy life is different from a meaningful life.

Researchers like Roy Baumeister have compared people’s perceptions of happiness versus meaningfulness. There is quite a lot of overlap between the two states: People who see their lives as meaningful are happier, and vice versa. But there are also differences: Happiness seems to be a transient state whereas meaningfulness is more enduring. We experience happiness in the present when our needs are satisfied, while meaningfulness involves tying together the past, present, and future in a way that makes sense and reinforces our positive attributes. For example, having more money may make you somewhat happier, but whether it makes your life more meaningful depends on how you spend it.

8. It’s not about earning more, it’s about personal fulfillment.

We’ve mentioned previously that having a higher income can help make you happy about your finances but you need to realize that it is not the amount. It is the control that it gives you over your money. That being said, you should know that your happiness is not entirely reliant on how much you are taking home every month. It is more on how you feel fulfilled about your work in general.

Notice how some people have so much income but they are not really content? They work day and night trying to increase their income but they still go home unhappy. That is because they are focused on the money – and not how they earned it. 
Also read:

9. You can be happy right now, simply by deciding.

YOU control how you feel, nobody else does.  YOU decide and determine what every moment of your life means.  YOU have the power to look for the good, be grateful and experience happiness in any moment of your life, despite the circumstances or what’s going on around you.

If your brain comes up with a blank, then ask yourself, what COULD you be happy RIGHT NOW if you really wanted to be?
I’m so happy that I have the ability to share and influence others through the internet and my blog. 

10. Challenges are gifts for your growth.

Without challenges you cannot unlock your full potential.  Obstacles are opportunities for growth.  The world needs the fullness of who you are, and it is through your experiences in life that you unfold into that fullness.  How can you demonstrate willpower and strength if your resolve has never been tested?  How can you role model love and compassion if you have never faced the opposite?  Knowing there is a higher purpose within dark times, is what leads you to be at peace in the midst of those storms, knowing that you are a diamond being forged under pressure.

Happiness doesn’t only live in the major moments. Happiness lives in the seemingly little things, in our day-to-day lives. Did you ever think that what is happiness means to you? It varies man to man. Here’s how to find it and create more happiness in your life.  (Don't worry the page will open in a new tab, so you won't lost this page.)

As you rush through your responsibilities and put out the inevitable fires of your day-to-day, you might feel like happiness is hard to come by. Or you might think that joy is reserved for bigger occasions like weddings, birthdays and holidays.

We hear people say, 'I would be the happiest person if I become a millionaire/ if I get this job/ if I become the manager'. We always think that happiness lies in those materialistic things that we do not have. Are we happy after getting that? No. Happiness is within ourselves. Happiness is a choice. Only we should decide whether we want to be happy or not. We should do whatever makes us happy. Still you want a reason to be happy? Be happy because you are alive. Be happy because you have got one more day in your life to start something afresh.

Happiness doesn’t only live in the major moments. Joy lives in the seemingly little things. Here’s how you can find it. 

Play like a child

When you were a child what activities fully captured your attention and didn’t let go? Taking the time to play, whether it’s with your kids or by yourself, this time will bring lightness into your life. There’s no end goal, no rules or regulations and no expectations.

If you want to feel like a child again you need to get rid of your fear. The fear of losing what you have. The fear of not getting what you want (or think you want). The fear of being ridiculed, rejected, chased away or not heard. If you want to be like a child again (but not child like) you need to drive fear out of your life. Everybody needs to do it differently and there are ten of thousands of resources out there so I won't elaborate but once you push fear out of your life the child-like qualities you are looking for will flood into your life.
Recommended:

• 10 Reasons Why You’re Not Happy 
• 10 Ways To Get Happy: Instantly Finding Happiness

Ward off negative emotions

Children are godlike because they are innocent. Children are wise but they are not cunning. They do not have anger, envy, greed, pride, grudge, hatred, pessimism, inferiority complex etc. A child can get angry, but in the next few moments he or she forgets it. Children never hold grudges. They are not proud or greedy. They know that 'blowing out someone else's candle does not make ours shine any brighter'. Children do not compare themselves with other children and so they do not have low self-esteem and inferiority complex. Once you feel any of these negative emotions, immediately replace them with the positive ones. This habit makes you positive and cheerful.

Save the Moment

Joyful moments happen all the time. They happen when you’re eating breakfast with your kids, and laughter breaks out. They happen when you’re walking to work, and you spy the sunshine or feel the cool breeze from the pouring rain. They happen when you’re sipping your favorite kind of coffee – a few delicious minutes to yourself. Taking pictures doesn’t only document these moments; it reminds you to look for them. So whether you use a cell phone camera or an old point-and-shoot, capture your kids’ giggling faces, the way the sun swathes different blooms, the raindrops hitting the pavement or the steam from your daily coffee mug. Aim to take a few photos every day.

Go outside to get Happy with Nature

Spending time in a natural environment can surely boost our mood—but do we really appreciate how much? We tend to underestimate the benefits that nature can have on our happiness and state of mind. Studies show that activities in nature make us feel more happy than those same exact activities performed indoors. For example, walking through a park makes us a lot happier than walking on a treadmill in the gym.

We can all relate to this idea—you’re thinking about going for a walk, but you don’t really want to leave the comfort of the couch. Somehow, you work up the motivation to change your clothes, drive to your favorite trail, and start hiking. Lo and behold—you immediately feel amazing! You wonder why you don’t do this more often! And when you’re done, you think, “I am so glad I did that.”

It’s easy to forget how happy getting outside makes us—but the more often we practice, the easier it will be to remember.

Passion

What are your passions? What activities do you love to do? Consider how you can practice your passion every day. If writing is your passion, can you take 10 to 30 minutes each day to try a creative exercise or compose a poem? If reading is your passion, can you read during your lunch hour or your daily commute? Whatever your passion, are you interested in taking an online course or a face-to-face class at your local university? Would you like to read a book on your passion? Or maybe you’d like to take the time to figure out what your passion is in the first place.

Watch a sunrise or sunset

Sunrise is a magnificent time of day. It is an awakening of the planet, birds, trees, and wildlife. It is always a new beginning. If you have romance in your soul, witnessing this beautiful daybreak can bring joy into your mundane life. It doesn't cost anything to watch a sunrise. You could be on your porch drinking coffee, holding hands together. Or if you live alone like I do, you witness it with your dogs out in the desert.  
The sun can recharge you. It is composed of ultraviolet light which the body needs for optimum health.The sun stimulates the production of melanin, stimulates the metabolism, (especially metabolism of minerals) is good for helping glands that take care of internal secretion.

Thankful

Gratitude is good for us. Research has found that gratitude is associated with a variety of positive reactions, including greater enthusiasm, energy and optimism. Every night, before bed, list three things you’re grateful for that day. You might be grateful to your body for enduring a stressful day. You might be grateful to your partner for giving you a hug. You might be grateful that you ate a nourishing meal or had a few minutes to meditate. Nothing is too small to be thankful for. Counting your blessings is also a great way to communicate and connect with others. Talk to your family or friends about what they’re grateful for.

Have a cold shower to be happy

You probably see cold showers as dreadful things that you’ve never put yourself through of your own free will; rather, they’re forced on you by circumstances beyond your control. The jerks in your dorm or apartment used up all the hot water or some inconsiderate person may have flushed the toilet before you were finished bathing. Ticked off and uncomfortable, you become irate at these people for making you have to endure this terrible thing… but what if I told you that you should thank them instead? If a person makes your shower go from hot to cold, they are doing a solid favor for your health and waistline.
Recommended:

• 15 Things You Must Give Up To Be Happy & Happier 
• 10 Little Things To Find Happiness – And They Don’t Even cost Anything

Senses

Our lives can easily whiz by us, especially when we’re consumed with tasks, to-do lists, projects, errands. Savoring your surroundings helps you slow down and actually see, smell, hear, taste and touch the happiness around you. Using your senses helps you marvel at your world, which is rich with beauty. It might help to keep a journal of the various things you notice throughout the day. If you’d like, give yourself a specific number, jotting down three, five or 15 things you’ve noticed.

Get Going

It’s hard to feel much joy when you’re tense and stressed and your mood is sinking. Physical activities help you release tension, ease anxiety and circulate feel-good endorphins throughout your body. The key is to pick activities that you genuinely enjoy. This might be anything from taking a walk to riding your bike to practicing yoga to stretching to taking a class at your gym to hula-hooping.

True happiness, is an inner quality. It is a state of mind. If your mind is at peace, you are happy. If your mind is at peace, but you have nothing else, you can be happy. If you have everything the world can give - pleasure, possessions, power - but lack peace of mind, you can never be happy.