BellaOnline Forums Money Abundance & Wealth Happiness and the law of attraction

I read a news story yesterday that totally shocked me. It said they are now doing studies to find if people can increase their level of happiness. It said that up to now "the experts" have believed that people were born being capable of a certain level of happiness and probaby never would be happier than that level, taking into account fluctuations for events like divorce or getting married or moving.

I couldn't believe that anyone ever thought we were stuck with a certain level of happiness. Your life is what you make it at any given moment. Those who have studied the law of attraction especially know that we can create the world we inhabit and we can attract happiness and peace into our lives if we choose to do so.

If anyone reading this doesn't think they are happy, I encourage them to read some of the books mentioned in this forum. Dr. Wayne Dyer and Jerry and Ester Hicks totally changed my life and I feel they could do this for anyone who is open to doing it.

It does take committment and not wanting to be a victim in life anymore. Many people are addicted to pain, unhappiness, resentment, anger and all those negative emotions even tho they don't see it as an addiction. If you choose to be happier, you CAN be happier.

Watch the movie What the Bleep Do We know? There is basis for the law of attraction in quantum physics.

It's somehow easier to focus on the negative and complain than it is to be happy --- and some people just tend to veer into negativity naturally! It can be unlearned, though. It's just conditioning your brain to focus on what's good and what went well, instead of picking at the imperfections.

Depression is different, though, because it involves brain chemicals. I'll never forget being chewed out once, but a woman struggling with depression. I couldn't understand why she couldn't just "get positive" and "be happy" - it's much more serious than that.

I agree that those who are clinically depressed should talk to a doctor and get advice and perhaps medication. However, it also seems that most doctors will hand out Prozac very quickly and easily as millions are taking those type of drugs. People see ads everywhere about how a pill can solve all their problems.

I had a friend who was a recovering alcoholic and a doctor prescribed Prozac to her for menstral problems. She was the one who said "Hey, I'm an addict, I can't take that."

I wonder if doctors are open to trying other ways, like nutrition, to improved the situation before reaching for the prescription pad. when I was in my teens and early 20's I suffered from severe depression. I turned to alcohol and not drugs. However, when I started studying nutrition and eating with health in mind and taking vitamin supplements, my depression went away. I feel that my body was missing some vital nutrient which was causing my problems.

Since I've been following a more healthy lifestyle, eating organically, exercising, etc, I no longer suffer from any depression.

I know not everyone can be helped by this and everyone should follow their doctor's advise about medication. That has to be a personal decision made with a doctor's advise. However, proper nutrition and exercise can't hurt any condition and can only help, regardless of whether people opt for medication or not. I'm sure any doctor would recommend a healthy lifestyle in addition to drugs if they thought their patients were open to it.

Even for those who are taking anti-depressents, practicing the law of attraction to make positive changes in their lives can't hurt them either and might help.

I am NOT saying to anyone "Throw out your medications." Talk to your doctor about any changes you want to make.

A study in 2002 showed that of all the different disciplines and Religions in the world, the happiest were the Buddhists.....




(sorry. Just thought I'd put that in..... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

That may be true and perhaps most people aren't anywhere near their peak of happiness.

Most of my happiness lately has been based on my view. I think anyone can change their view to have a more positive outlook. Perhaps be grateful about things that normally get taken for granted. It also helped when I learned what was mine and what belongs to other people. Less to stress about.

I read once that they say 90% of your happiness depends on who you marry. I would say that was true for me. I am much happier after making some major life changing decisions. Living with someone with a chemical imbalance or someone who self medicates with alcohol can greatly affect those in the household.

I do agree about depression. I think it is very normal for a lot of people to experience depression at some point, I guess if someone is unable to pull out of it might be when professional help is needed.

One of the problems is many people may not be aware that they are suffering from depression, bi-polar, or alcoholism. Although I know people have to get sick and tired of being sick and tired to be ready to make a change.

Happiness should never ever be dependent on an outside factor. You cannot pin your happiness on the presence and existence of another person. This is not true happiness, because it is tinged with sadness...It is transitory, you see...it cannot last for ever....

perhaps then, we need to differentiate between 'happiness' as defined here in this thread, and Constant Joy.

Happiness may be triggered by an outside influence, and thus fluctuates and ebbs and flows...it is not constant.
Joy is Constant. One generates it for ones' self. It cannot be affected by any force other than your presence or state of Mind.

This sentiment does not sit comfortably with everyone.
There is usually resistance.
More often than not because it is recognised as a Truth, and it can make people uneasy.
But it's indisputable, nevertheless....

I totally agree Alexandra. Your idea of Joy being generated by one's self is right on. You can see tho that this concept means we are totally responsible for our Joy or happiness because it comes from within. I think many people depend on those outside factors you mentioned to regulate their moods and don't want to believe they alone are responsible for how they feel.

Many people think that their lives and their happiness or joy are totally at the whim of some hap-hazard lucky or unlucky factor outside themselves.

I know that who we marry does affect our happiness or joy in life and if we marry the wrong person who brings negativity of any kind into our lives, then we should remedy that. However, I think also many are married to average, nice people whom they don't appreciate like they should. Your relationship with a spouse can also be what you make it but it has to start with you. If you look at your spouse and only see them as dull, overweight, critical, whatever negatives you'd like to use-then this is what comes back to you.

If you concentrate on the positives every time you look at your spouse, then the positives will be magnifed in your relationship and the negatives won't matter or even may disappear.

I believe that Buddhists probably are the happiest of people as they concentrate on living mindfully in the present moment. How happy many would be if they could dump all the bad thoughts of the past that weighs them down. The reality is tho, you can walk away from those thoughts if you choose because they don't serve you in the present.

I read a book about Buddhism and the main thing repeated was "Look at the present moment and Just See." It changed my life and my relationships because I realized that I alone was clinging to the past and not even seeing the joy and happiness of the present moment.

Hi Alexandra and Joanj
I agree with you. Happiness definitely comes from within!
Even though it might sound like a Pollyannish thing to do, if you are aware of you thoughts and your emotions then you CAN change them.
If you observe your moods you will soon realize that emotion is preceeded by thought. Negative emotions are preceeded by negative thought and positive emotions are preceeded by positive thoughts. Identify the thought (or thoughts) that produce the emotion and change them.
With practise it's not difficult. Here's a simple example.

I feel angry that it's raining and we can't go on our picnic. New thought.....We could stay inside and play Monopoly, that would be fun, haven't done that for years and the kids would enjoy it. New emotion.....optimism and hope.......result....happier!

The thing is that you need to be aware of your thoughts and emotions and if your emotions are sliding into negativity then you want to quickly move in a positive direction.
You might be interested in a book called Learned Optimism by M Seligman (mmmm I think that he is the author??).
Ask and It Is Given by Esher Hicks is also good with plenty of practical exercises for changing emotions.

Sparkler

www.abundantliving4all.com

I have a question. how do i react to a scar on my girlfriend left from surgery. i feel like pushing her away am i wrong for this?????

Yes.
The problem of perception is yours, not hers.
She is still the same person she was.