I'm sure many times you have asked the question: What is happiness really? Before I attempt to elaborate on this issue further I will say this: I have a strong, intuitive feeling that when push comes to shove, joy and happiness are the purposes of our lives. If my feeling is correct, then nothing in our life is more important than to endeavour what we can to make our lives as joyful and happy as possible.

Now, back to the question of what happiness is. Some people, maybe the majority of us, think that life enrichment and joy have to do with things and people besides themselves. They feel that they are unable to find happiness and joy without striving after things that can be accessed in exchange for money. Although these things can make life easier and funnier for a while, putting all their efforts in search for happiness this way is a big mistake. It can even lead people further away from what they try to accomplish. Happiness is a state of mind that you will be in when you have courage enough to live the life you really want to live, to become what you really want to become. And you are able to become what you want because God has provided you and me with the freedom of choice; we can choose what we want to be, and only you and I can know what that is. So if you want happiness and joy you will find it within and not outside yourself.

Communication and positive relationship building also contribute significantly to happiness. By sharing your joy with other people, you don't only give them joy but you increase your own happiness as well. I'm sure that you have experienced when you give something good to others, you'll get something good back. I will go as far as to say that giving something of yourself to other people is the greatest enrichment in life. Just think about what a smile can do for another person. And it's that simple. Be wasteful with your smiles, give smiles, compliments, a few nice words to people you meet every day. What will happen is that they become happier and you will become even more happy.

Do you think you deserve happiness? Many people ask themselves, why should I be happy? I haven't done anything to deserve to be joyful. Happiness has nothing to do with what you deserve. Happiness is always there if you search for it. It's the same as when an opportunity knocks; the opportunity to be happy is continuously floating right before your eyes every day, just fetch it. Smile and laugh. And share your joy with others.

Unhappiness is caused by the way you have programmed yourself to think and feel. When a challenge presents itself, many people automatically remind themselves of previous miseries that they think will occur if they meet this challenge. You have to re-programme yourself by repeating time after time that you are happy and full of joy. Then you will incrementally experience a new and increasing power that gradually will lead you to the person that can accomplish whatever he or she wants, which resides deep inside you. Follow this simple practice every day and you'll end up in a happy and joyful state of mind sooner than you can imagine.